After nearly three decades with the band, Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron announced his departure this week. Almost immediately, fans began lobbying for the return of ex-drummer Dave Abbruzzese, who recorded two albums with the band before his firing in August 1994. Indeed, the clamor for Abbruzzese’s return has grown so loud that the 57-year-old musician recently took to social media to resoundingly dash fans’ hopes.
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“Please Stop Sending Me Messages”: Dave Abbruzzese Shoots Down Pearl Jam Reunion
Following Matt Cameron’s announcement Tuesday (July 8), Dave Abbruzzese addressed the “literally 1000’s of posts, messages and emails” that he has received from Pearl Jam fans begging him to reconcile with his former bandmates.
“To be clear, I have nothing to reconcile with them about,” Abbruzzese wrote on Facebook. “My firing from the band and the subsequent trials and tribulations caused by the actions of the band’s management and the band’s old label that made things challenging for me weren’t completely my doing. With the exceptions of some petty comments and actions that I never quite understood or expected, I have never placed blame and harbored resentments towards the members of the band.”
He later added, “It seems the guys in the band matured and grew up as much as I did, but the fact that I haven’t had any personal contact with any of them leads me to believe the water under the bridge runs too deep and too icy for there to be any reconnection or reconciliation. This is a shame and saddens me, greatly. I know I could and would have much to contribute if indeed the call came, but sadly, I don’t see that happening.”
[RELATED: Ex-Pearl Jam Drummer Dave Abbruzzese Reveals How He Almost Joined Guns N’ Roses]
Never Say Never?
Abbruzzese went on to emphasize the numerous musical projects he has been involved in since leaving Pearl Jam. He concluded that he wishes his former bandmates continued success and remains open to reconnecting one day.
“All that being said, I do ask that you please stop sending me messages asking & telling me to contact their management,” he wrote. “I appreciate and understand your desire to see what could come out of that reunion musically. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t curious, also.”
Abbruzzese’s stint with Pearl Jam lasted from 1991 to 1994. He wrote the music for the band’s Grammy-nominated song “Go,” along with “Last Exit” and “Angel.”
Featured image by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
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