Pearl Jam’s former drummer David Abbruzzese has claimed he wasn’t invited to their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction earlier this month.
The 48-year-old musician was the drummer for the rock band from 1991 to 1994, and has claimed that he, along with former drummers Jack Irons and Matt Chamberlain – who were all not formerly inducted into the hall – were never invited to the ceremony.
In a lengthy post written on Facebook, David – who provided the drums for the 1994 album ‘Vitalogy’ – said he gave the band "all he had" and said he "never let the fans down".
He wrote: "The band and the hall did not invite or contact me.. The band tweeted that they welcomed the idea of the event granting the possibility of all the drummers to be in the same room. That isnt an invite.
"I personally have deep respect for all drummers and of course the five that participated in the pearl jam bands carreer… I am going to say this; For the band to put me in the same light as Matt Chamberlain & Dave K really was a slap in the face. Nothing to do with those guys as people or players. Respect… but as a contributor? A band member? A definitive contributor to the energy and power of where the band went? …the sacrifices, the work, the physical and emotional contributions…not to mention the personal weight of carrying onthrough and after unceremonious and disrespectful way I was fired.
"I gave this band all I had to give every single moment I was in it. I never played for a paycheck. I never let the band down. I never let the music down. I never let the fans down… not once. I suppose that is why I am still such a point of contention. Truth be told, if I would have been inducted, I would have requested my tech, Jimmy Shoaf Jr. and my daughter, Francesca to say a few words on my behalf. IF THEY HAD invited me to be there to witness the bands induction? Nope. To do that would justify the mistake and disrespect the core fans that took this band to heart back when all we were to become, we had to earn and also, most importantly, we had to prove we deserved every single time we took the stage. And we did that.
"We, the Pearl Jam band & original crew, deserved to be inducted & respected. I’m proud of my old friends for managing it all so well. I dont know if I heard anyone say it, but you’re welcome and thank you, too.
"Okay. There, I said it. I own it. I have to clarify that I mean no disrespect at all to pearl jam, it’s management or anyone who has ever been or currently is a member of the organization. (sic)"
Pearl Jam were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 8, and saw frontman Eddie Vedder, bassist Jeff Ament, guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready, and drummers Dave Krusen and Matt Cameron formerly inducted.
Pearl Jam’s ex-drummer claims he wasn’t invited to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony
