, who joined Pearl Jam in 1998 shortly after Soundgarden split up, is stepping away from the band. The drummer announced on Monday (July 7) that he’s leaving the band after just more than a quarter century behind the group’s kit, according to Billboard.“After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam. Much love and respect to Jeff [Ament], Ed [Vedder], Mike [McCready] and Stone [Gossard] for inviting me into the band in 1998 and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, filled with friendships, artistry, challenges and laughter,” he said in a statement posted to Pearl Jam’s social media accounts. “I am forever grateful to the crew, staff and fans the world over. It’s been an incredible journey. More to follow. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

Matt Cameron started playing drums professionally at age 14 in various cover bands in San Diego. He took private lessons from ages 17-19 with Jon Szanto from the San Diego Symphony. Matt moved to Seattle at age 20 (1983). He played in a variety of bands, and instantly found the creative local music scene very inspiring.

Cameron's musical career pretty much started out when with a vocal part on the song "Puberty Love," which was on the soundtrack for Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. Cameron had first served as drummer for fellow legendary grunge band Soundgarden from 1986 until the band broke up in 1997 (and from 2010 until 2017 when the band reunited), joining Pearl Jam in 1998, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Matt Cameron has drummed on every Pearl Jam album since Binaural in 2000. A two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee—honored for his work with both Pearl Jam and Soundgarden—Cameron was hailed by the band as “one of our first musical heroes” in a recent statement. They also praised his earlier contributions to the grunge scene, including his time with Skin Yard. Pearl Jam has not yet announced who might replace him.

“Matt Cameron has been a singular and true powerhouse of a musician and drummer,” Pearl Jam said in a statement. “He has propelled the last 27 years of Pearl Jam live shows and studio recordings. It was a deeply important chapter for our group and we wish him well always. He will be deeply missed and is forever our friend in art and music. We love you Matt.”The Eddie Vedder-fronted band also shared its own farewell to Cameron on the same post. “From being one of our first musical heroes in the bands Skinyard and the mighty Soundgarden, to playing on our first demos in 1990, Matt Cameron has been a singular and true powerhouse of a musician and drummer,” the rockers shared in a joint statement. “He has propelled the last 27 years of Pearl Jam live shows and studio recordings. It was a deeply important chapter for our group and we wish him well always. He will be deeply missed and is forever our friend in art and music. We love you Matt.”Pearl Jam has scored 14 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 over the course of its career, with the standout hit “Last Kiss” reaching as high as No. 2. On the Billboard 200, the band has earned 13 top 10 albums, including five that topped the chart: Vs. (five weeks at No. 1 in 1993), Vitalogy (one week in 1994), No Code (two weeks in 1996), Backspacer (one week in 2009), and Lightning Bolt (one week in 2013).