Former Pearl Jam Star Not Invited To Rock Hall Induction

Former Pearl Jam drummer Dave Abbruzzese says in an online post that he was not invited to the band's recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame despite the group appearing to publicly endorse the idea of former members attending.

When controversy arose about former members not being included in the induction (original drummer Dave Krusen and current drummer Matt Cameron were), Pearl Jam shared the following statement, "While awards and accolades are understandably subjective and a countless number of our peers have yet to be honored, we do feel fortunate the be recognized and provided the opportunity to reunite with everyone who has been part of the group. Specifically the drummers who all left their distinctive mark on our band in the pre-Matt Cameron years. Dave Krusen, Matt Chamberlain, Dave Abbruzzese and Jack Irons are each individually great players who gave their all to the early recordings and live gigs."

Abbruzzese took to his Facebook page to share his reaction "to a statement someone made online" which was later republished and he decided to directly share it with his followers. 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."

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