Pearl Jam Clarify Abe Laboriel Jr.'s Role After First Show Since Matt Cameron's Exit
The band said the drummer was only sitting in at Ohana Fest, after Eddie Vedder's onstage introduction led fans to assume a permanent hire.
Eddie Vedder's set at Ohana Fest in California turned into a full Pearl Jam performance over the weekend, with Abe Laboriel Jr. on drums. It was the band's first show since Matt Cameron departed last year after 27 years behind the kit.
Vedder introduced the drummer onstage and dedicated "Better Man" to him, and his remarks led fans and press to believe Laboriel Jr. had been named the official replacement. "You cannot be a great band without a great drummer," the singer said while thanking him.
A statement posted Monday clarified that Laboriel Jr. was only sitting in. The band thanked everyone who attended the three-day festival, called the tenth edition special, and praised the drummer's playing, noting his decades-long run with Paul McCartney's band. The note closed with thanks to McCartney himself.
Vedder popped up across several other sets during the weekend. Bad Religion brought him out for "American Jesus," the 1993 track he originally sang backing vocals on. He joined Pixies for "Wave Of Mutilation" from Doolittle, and performed Temple Of The Dog's "Hunger Strike" with Stephen Wilson Jr.
On Friday, Billy Idol and Simon Good appeared during the Eddie Vedder & Friends set before it turned into the Pearl Jam reveal. At the closing headlining show, Billy Strings came out for Vedder's solo acoustic "Elderly Woman" and stayed on for two Neil Young covers with the full band.
Reported from Stereogum
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