(L-R) Bassist Jeff Ament (facing backwards), drummer Matt Cameron, lead singer, songwriter and guitarist Eddie Vedder and guitarist and songwriter Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam perform live on stage at Moody Center on September 19, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jim Bennett/Getty Images)

In the wake of Matt Cameron announcing his departure from Pearl Jam after nearly forty years of playing drums for the rock group, fans speculated about who might replace him. Could it be Josh Freese, the newly dismissed Foo Fighters drummer? Or could it be Zak Starkey, who got the ax from The Who? Some have even brought up Dave Abbruzzese.

Matt Cameron has departed from Pearl Jam. In a social media statement, the drummer announced he would be leaving the band after 27 years. “Much love and respect to Jeff, Ed, Mike and Stone for inviting me into the band in 1998 and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime,