Pearl Jam invite all five drummers to Rock Hall of Fame induction ceremony
They issue a statement
Pearl Jam have confirmed that all five of their drummers are invited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
When Pearl Jam’s nomination was announced last October, current drummer Matt Cameron and founding member Dave Krusen were on the band’s ballot while Matt Chamberlain, Jack Irons and David Abbruzzese were missed off.
Reacting angrily to his snub, Abbruzzese, who performed and co-wrote songs on ‘Vs.’ and ‘Vitalogy’ during his three-year tenure, called on Pearl Jam to “do the right thing” and ask for him to be included.
He wrote on Facebook: “If there is still a part of that band that remembers how hard we worked, how much blood and how much sweat... They will do the right thing. The members of Pearl jam have got to know what's the right thing to do. They can't justify ignoring my contributions. Like me or not.”
Now, just weeks ahead of the ceremony in New York, Pearl Jam have released a hand-written statement confirming that all of their drummers from their 27-year career will be in attendance.
They wrote: “With the date of the Hall Of Fame event coming up, it is just now sinking in what it means to us.
“While awards and accolades are understandably subjective and a countless number of our peers have yet to be honoured, we do feel fortunate to be recognised and provided the opportunity to reunite with everyone who has been part of the group.
“Specifically the drummers who all left their distinctive mark on our band in the pre-Matt Cameron years.
“Dave Krusen, Matt Chamberlain, Dave Abbruzzese and Jack Irons are each individually great players who gave their all to the early recordings and live gigs.
“Looking forward to seeing them and all the other musicians on the bill. Have to say, wish Bad Brains’ H.R. and Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell were gonna be there too. If nothing else, it makes us feel lucky and appreciative of the nod.”
The five drummers will appear at the back-patting bash at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on 7th April alongside Eddie Vedder, Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard and Mike McCready.
Pearl Jam will be inducted alongside Yes, Journey, Electric Light Orchestra, Joan Baez and rapper Tupac Shakur.