Why was Dave Krusen fired from Pearl Jam? Original drummer exit explored as Matt Cameron announces band departure

One of the most famous and celebrated drummers, Matt Cameron, a member of the legendary grunge band Pearl Jam, has announced his departure from the band. The unexpected news came as a shock to most fans and rock enthusiasts globally.

While Pearl Jam has seen many drummers over the years, with Dave Krusen considered to be their original drummer, Matt Cameron joined the band in 1998. Cameron, who previously played for bands like Soundgarden and Skin Yard, has been the drummer for Pearl Jam for almost thirty years. While most people are familiar with Cameron, as he was the band's longest-serving drummer, many fans don't know much about Pearl Jam's original drummer, Dave Krusen.

Amid Matt Cameron's departure from Pearl Jam, many rock enthusiasts are curious to find out why Dave Krusen was fired from the band. Well, Dave Krusen, who was the first drummer of the band, joined Pearl Jam in 1990. As per certain reports, he was recruited by Stone Gossard (guitarist) and Jeff Ament (bassist).

Widely known for working on Pearl Jam's debut album Ten, Dave Krusen was primarily fired from the band because of his drinking problem. It was before the release of the band's first album that Dave Krusen's struggle with alcoholism began. While it created issues within the band, other members decided to let him go.

According to Ultimate Guitar.com, when Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam's bassist) was questioned regarding why Dave Krusen was fired from the band, on The Powell Movement podcast, the bassist said.

"We spent some time with him last year over the Hall of Fame stuff [Dave was among the Pearl Jam members inducted into the Rock Hall on April 7, 2017]. That guy has handled the whole situation, I couldn't even imagine anybody handling it as well as he has."

He continued:

"I think he's been on the program for a long time since then. We warned him and warned him and warned him, and then we were like: 'Dude, you've got to go get help. We have tours coming up, and we can't babysit you. You can't be falling down getting on your drum kit every night."

Jeff added:

"We were serious at that point, we all of a sudden got another shot. We had this killer singer, and we were writing songs. We were writing so many songs at that point so quickly. We sort of felt like, we can't mess around right now, we need to get the right people involved."

Jeff Ament stated that Dave Krusen claimed that the decision to kick him out of the band at that point saved his life. Ament shared:

"But yeah, Dave said, 'You kicking me out of the band saved my life, because it really helped me deal with what I was dealing with.' He said, 'I got help, and within a year or so, I had my act together.'"

Ament further added:

"He (Dave Krusen) kept playing music with other bands at that point. It was huge for us to be able to play to get to play with him at the Hall of Fame thing, and sort of have that thing come full circle, and have it not be weird at all. There wasn't anything even remotely weird about it, which is [chuckles] really unbelievable."

The longest-serving drummer, Matt Cameron, of Pearl Jam, Matt Cameron, quits the band after 27 years

The longest-serving drummer of Pearl Jam, who was with the band for almost three decades, finally announced his retirement from the iconic grunge band. According to ABC News, Cameron took to his Instagram to share the big news. The drummer, in a statement, wrote:

"After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam."

While Cameron offered 'much love and respect' to all the band members for making him a part of Pearl Jam, he said:

"And for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, one filled with friendships, artistry, challenges and laughter. I am forever grateful to the crew, staff and fans the world over. It's been an incredible journey. More to follow. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart."

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Matt Cameron hasn't shared any details regarding why he quit the band; however, the band celebrated his departure in a statement, where they said:

"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."

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