Pearl Jam are continuing to search for a permanent drummer to handle upcoming performances.
Matt Cameron, 63, publicly announced his departure from the band after a 27-year tenure in July 2025, revealing that the demanding nature of the group’s live shows had worn him down.
Even though he joined Eddie Vedder’s Ohana Fest on drums alongside Abe Laboriel Jr., who plays with Sir Paul McCartney, bassist Jeff Ament, also 63, says Pearl Jam are still looking for a long-term replacement.
In a conversation with Under the Radar, Ament explained that there isn’t a frantic rush, but they do intend to play a handful of shows next year. He’s 63 and remains fairly fit, believing he can still bring a youthful energy to the stage for a few more years, while feeling a sense of urgency to perform while they’re still physically young-ish.
Ament also reflected on how Chris Cornell’s 2017 death hit him hard when considering Matt’s decision to step away.
He noted that when Chris passed, it was a massive blow for all of them, particularly for Matt. There was a period when Matt wasn’t sure he even wanted to play anymore, and since then he’s talked about winding things down and pursuing other directions.
He added that Matt has other things to scratch, but the moment was incredibly sad. After years of traveling the world and making music together, it’s natural to feel a mix of sadness and respect for his friend’s path forward.
The drummer himself admitted that Pearl Jam’s constant touring had begun to wear him out.
Cameron told Billboard that he started to struggle with the three-hour shows and the nonstop cycle of touring. He emphasized that delivering those long performances is an art form in itself, and now he wants to focus on a tighter, 70-minute set as the core of his current artistic direction.
He described his exit as amicable and a prudent step at this point in his career, noting that he gave the band substantial notice and has spoken briefly with Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard. The situation, he said, has remained cordial, with the hope of catching up over a beer someday.
Cameron concluded by saying he wants to redirect his time and energy toward pursuits that align more closely with what he wishes to explore as an artist at this moment.
