Pearl Jam: Why The Band Fired Drummer Dave Abbruzzese

[@rnrtruestories]

Check out my other Pearl Jam Video I did recently about why the band stopped making music videos in the 90's. Also leave your suggestions below! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqS7fWaBha-ZpNE

[@Friggle_Dee]

Rare that i agree 100% with somebody on rock band quarrels, but i think abbruzzese is in the right of the hypocrisy/disrespect he received. Would like to know more about his friendship with McCready. Seems like he was the one in his corner throughout. Oh and love your content bro.

[@EvanWCraig]

@@Friggle_Dee he probably wasn't into the dark arts like eddie. how many people said he was a vampire in 95 and on.. i thought that was dumb at first, but now what we know about pizzagate and stuff, makes me really think of who eddie really is "crazy eddie", one thing he really likes is killing babies, he'd like them on every corner while he hangs out with ellen (he was in the audience during her special). just a theory. but don't be in a communist band with a guy with a big head and no guitar skills.

[@shaunhayes7700]

FYI, Kelly Curtis is a guy.

[@CharlieBoy360]

This might be your best video yet and I'm not even the biggest PJ fan. I love the long format.

[@RIVALContentJammerz]

Eddie's a dork. His fake trances, his political crap, and just a jaggoff in general.

[@mansalireza]

Dave Abbruzzese had power and groove. Hand down Pearl Jam's best drummer. It's a shame he wasn't inducted in the Hall of Fame.

[@michaelcorrigan6577]

He fucking killed it. vs was amazing! And of course ten but I didn't think i had to mention it even though obviously i have to

[@sirwinchester2918]

@@michaelcorrigan6577 I assume you know this, but he wasn't the drummer on 10

[@michaelcorrigan6577]

@@sirwinchester2918 I suppose i shouldve said the touring etc...

[@sirwinchester2918]

@@michaelcorrigan6577 yeah I figured

[@Weshopwizard]

Dave really swings.

[@sukotto1001]

Abbruzzese was on tour, and came into the music store I worked at and helped a 13-14 year old kid pick out cymbals. He was super friendly and down to earth. The kid couldn't afford the really nice cymbals, so Dave bought them for the kid. The kid was on cloud 9.

[@JohnJohn-ir5hw]

Great story :) I mean, a GREAT story, S M. Thank you for sharing it because I needed a 'pick-me-up' after learning how Mr. Abbruzzese was kicked to the street and dismissed as inconsequential (Matt Cameron???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? for PEARL jAM??????????????????????????????).

[@hesayshesay8839]

@@JohnJohn-ir5hw saw Cameron play with them at Hyde park, robotic as fuck

[@petertromp8786]

@@hesayshesay8839 It's not his band. His band is Soundgarden, and that music fits his style much better, as he helped invent their sound.

[@hesayshesay8839]

@@petertromp8786 yeah I definitely agree with you there mate. Even more of a reason as to why Matt was a bad choice compared to Dave though, but by the sound of the later albums etc I think he’s a good fit for what Pearl jam were looking for. A basic raw straight drum style, not someone that maybe ‘overplays’ (in the opinion of some, and Eddie IMO)

[@jeffloucks2120]

@@hesayshesay8839 Matt is definately underplaying in PJ to fit the songs

[@basedcrow]

21 year old me: Abbruzzese is wrong 51 year old me: Abbruzzese is right

[@shonuff4323]

OMG. We are the same age and I think the exact same thing!

[@b.c.7741]

As a lifelong Pear Jam fan, I'm with Abbruzzese on this one.

[@robink.9966]

I dunno.. They all seem like big egocentrists. Love their music though

[@pjfan173]

Robin K. Marxist Domestic Terrorists are destroying cities across America and especially Seattle and not a single word out of any of them. I’ve been a fan since the beginning, but unfortunately not so much anymore.

[@RK_peace]

@@pjfan173 they're also losing me for the same reasons

[@mesoanarchy]

pjfan173 - Question for you is, “who are the terrorists? The people paid and wooed into the performances or the people planning, orchestrating and contriving the perceptions of the actors?

[@pjfan173]

D.K. Wilson Who do you think are the Terrorists? People are funding them, DA’s are letting them out and the people doing the damage are willing and paid participants. It’s hilarious how the “progressive elites” think they’ll be able to keep their lifestyles if this continues

[@LeoMrz]

I’m sure for us fans Dave will always be THE drummer, specially for those who also play drums.

[@iamDavidLynam]

For sure

[@Cyberdinemechatron]

Absolutely

[@johntsunami9368]

Irons all day.

[@briankaufman8227]

You know it

[@riyanto_ps3081]

🙌

[@buysjproperties]

Dave Abbruzzese was a master drummer. Power and kick foot of John Bonham, and the accents and syncopation of Stewart Copeland. He made good songs great. Awesome drummer and huge loss for band. Eddies ego was the sole reason for his firing. Damn shame

[@freedomprophet2597]

Stop. Just stop..

[@spaceburger80]

Well said, Sandy 🤜🤛

[@mohddalibinzali1165]

Is dave abbruzzese playing 'last kiss'?

[@stefankirner7347]

...you said everything!!!

[@poloshirtsamurai]

@@freedomprophet2597 No. Be an adult and deal with facts.

[@IvanLendl87]

Eddie Vedder completely screwed Abbruzzese over. That guy was a great drummer. He had swing. Saw them on the VS tour and his drumming stood out. Best drummer for PJ a best they ever had. Telling him to “sound more like The Buzzcocks”? Lol Yeah right. That band is dreaming if it thinks it has any Buzzcocks influence. One thing that apparently pissed Vedder off was Abbruzzese appeared on the cover of Modern Drummer Magazine. That was too “rock star” for Vedder. Well, Vedder has been married to a model and living in an exclusive part of Hawaii where you have to be a multi-millionaire to afford to live there.

[@robotube7361]

I will not defend Eddie Vedder when I say we have all been in a power struggle situation in our lives when we worked on some joint project. There doesnt have to be a profound reason to fire someone like people try to find one. its no secret that PJ is Eddie's band and the rest of the guys follow his vision and go along with it. He knows and they know they are done without him while he can continue solo without problem. So Im sure everything Pearl Jam does is eddie's idea. He has control over everything in the band. From the way they present themselves to how a guitar should be played. On the surface it all looks like democracy but they all know who is in charge really. dave was the only one who detested this way of doing things and he wanted to have a say and Im afraid he misjudged the situation completely. He clearly revolted over this way of doing things in the band but the others made a smart decision when they let them go. Some people just cannot function in the same band and that is. Both people strong willed and we all know there is 1 king in everything. Democracy is just an illusion. Take any band any gathering of people and there is always a leader, the most prominent one. Dave seems like a guy who speaks his mind and is brash and unapologetic. He is genuine about what he says it happened and that really happened what he says. You cannot blame Eddie Vedder either. Sometimes in life people find themselves into an unspoken struggle for power and influence and one can cut the tension with a knife. Nobody is guilty here. Its just Eddie vedder won this power struggle. That's all. There was no wrong or right side. Saying this of course eddie vedder is a hypocrite. In order to be a star like he is - you have to compromise a lot of personal principles, principles of justice and etc to last 30 years in he bsines. He is just a human being who makes mistakes like we all do and also people change. We expect celebrities to stay who they are as icons all their lives not realizing that we change and they change with time. People develop other wants and oppinions in life. Eddie Vedder from 2020 is not the same Eddie Vedder from 1992. Back then he might have been punk someone who was anti establishment this and that but when you are a millionaire - you cannot play the role of someone who is anti establishment. This drove Kurt cobain to madness. eddie's transition was gradual and graceful. You cannot sell punk to people when u have 100 millions in the bank. everyone sells eventaully. those who didnt sell were never offered money in the first place so they pretend they stay true to their roots and that BS.

[@83442handle]

@@robotube7361 "its no secret that PJ is Eddie's band and the rest of the guys follow his vision and go along with it." This may be true but PJ's best material was done before vitalogy when Eddie took over total control.

[@andrepereira744]

@@robotube7361 So basically,he's a douche

[@gerardspringer8576]

Yeah. I think Dave got along w/ most of them. Eddie had it out for him! Dave was closest to Stone. Vedder was a sour puss for awhile. He started to exert his power over the group. Yeah the first 3 albums was good shit. Dave shld be in the Hall of fame. It' s Eddie " Ghosting" him. Jack Irons was a mess to deal with cause he has mental problems. They r lucky Soundgarden broke up. Matt was a good fit

[@Utubesux]

I know huh? Can U see Eddie toolin' to imitate SLF or Damned? Yeah, not sure how he perceives his personal likes being anywhere close to what they play out like!

[@Tognar]

He's my favorite PJ drummer and one of my biggest drummer influences. ALL those ghost notes... and he had all those accents using the hats, ride bell, china, and splashes was ground breaking at the time. Not to mention his energy... man that guy could hit!

[@whoami7721]

I'm not that good a drummer but I always listen to the drums in a band. Abbruzeze was the best drummer Pearl Jam had, chops wise. I liked watching him on any televised performances because he was just fun to watch. PJ was never my favorite grunge era band, since they were the "popular" band that the cool kids seemed to like. Eddie Vedder's brooding, anti-star act always seemed like just that: an act. I read he was in the popular crowd in high school. Kurt Cobain didn't even finish high school, I think. Kurt's angst definitely came across as more authentic than Eddie's. I was into them a little bit by Vs., and saw them in concert a couple of times. All in all a good band, just not a favorite.

[@P715R]

About to post a similar comment as a drummer except Dave was sloppy & gave them that punk rock feel that Vedder pretentious ass wanted. The ghost notes, the snap is his strokes and the ying to their yang was what Dave brought. Lives shows of Dave's era and that unplugged are fun to listen to even today.

[@Squirrelconga]

It helped make the music float. Fusion-esque

[@mikes51501]

On Unplugged he almost stole the show. That was the bands problem, so lame

[@procousticsochoa9318]

Exactly Even Flow live track is why I play drums.

[@williambeatty7781]

Dave Abbruzzese is definitely the best of all Pearl Jam drummers. He played with so much energy and his cymbal work was great. Pearl Jam never had the same presence after he was fired.

[@peterrussell6029]

It was a huge mistake to let him go ... his approach to Pearl Jam's style of playing was a good fit and he was a well-rounded player, both in the studio and especially live.

[@zakrowe1301]

I agree that dave was probably the best drummer, I'm a bit conflicted because my top 2 pj albums are no code and yeild and I really like jack irons drumming. But in all fairness pearl jam most likely wouldnt have made it this long if the kept face and it wiykdve been a bit hypocritical of them to put out the political statements they do when one if their members dont exactly align with that stuff

[@skineyemin4276]

Well, they could have still let Dave go, they just could have been more respectful and honest as to their reason why and invited him to the R&R HOF as well. That was just so fucking lame.

[@robert.m4676]

I loved Pearl Jam’s first 3 but then they really slid way down! Now I know exactly why!

[@jamesweldon9726]

Skin EyemIn I agree. In fairness, it’s up to the RRHOF who gets inducted, but the members of Pearl Jam should have paid for his tickets to sit in the artists area, they cost something like $30,000. They should have stuck up for him, but they were pretty spineless, considering they were essentially the headliner of the night.

[@bobshenix]

I love Cameron but his style was made for Soundgarden.... Dave A the best PJ drummer by far. It could be said Dave K was perfect for Ten's songs but other than that.....!!! DAVE WE MISS YOU MAN

[@kpasstenceBETA]

Dave Abbruzzese was the reason I became a huge Pearl Jam fan, and the reason I have been playing drums for 25 years. When he was fired, I was done with PJ

[@BadRonald1]

Same here, I only got into them when he was playing.

[@meghanodonoghue9066]

Damn right bro

[@stanley-fghijk441]

Same. The vibe was destroyed.

[@Audfile]

Everything after their first 4 albums sucks anyway.

[@LyricalBlock32]

My respect to you bro 🤘🏻

[@williamhanlon5889]

I love the comment from Jeff Ament on Dave A. being too technical when everyone else played by feel. News flash bud, Dave A. gave y'all ALL the feel and groove.

[@albrodeur1748]

I thought the same thing. Dave swings, and he made P.J. swing along with him.

[@Daijyobanai]

Anyone who has ever been in a band can testify that an over egoistic front man or lead guitar will ruin a band's vibe 100%. Nob-heads who can't keep time but want to tell the drummer _exactly_ what to play and how. And when the band doesn't work, yeah, it's never them, always the drummer or some other guy.

[@1990bluedevilDG]

Facts!

[@davidjones2048]

@@Daijyobanai LSD has ruined many bands and guitar players can be ego maniacs too you're right nothing worse

[@WSG23]

No doubt. Live & studio, their “ feel” became stiff and fairly boring after he left.

[@ciejaygear]

He dated my x girlfriend’s sister. What a great guy. He recorded us (Canvas) at my tattoo shop. Dave was really innovative and resourceful in that he set up his mixing board on the bench outside the front window so it was insular from the sound and we could see each other very well. He is generous, altruistic and brilliant. I miss him. . .

[@markrozenberg7959]

The fact that he played on some of their most iconic, early albums is enough justification to induct him in the Hall of Fame.

[@smkxodnwbwkdns8369]

He only played on Vs. That’s exactly one Pearl Jam album. He didn’t deserve to be inducted cause the band was frustrated with Dave early on and never wanted to keep him. Hence using jack irons and session drummers on Vitalogy and Ten.

[@buysjproperties]

@@smkxodnwbwkdns8369 you keep saying the same nonsense. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@BillShears2010]

​@@smkxodnwbwkdns8369the credits for Vitalogy have his name as drummer for every song but 2 - Satan's Bed, Hey FoxyMo...IMO Satans bed is a good song, I never listen to Hey Foxymo... So thats 2 classic Pearl Jam albums he played on and helped create. And ostensibly, the years he played with the band they were at theIr biggest, they certainly sold the most albums when he was with the band. I wont mention touring cuz they are still a beast when it comes to touring, but for being apart of creating those 2 albums alone he deserves the induction as part of the band..

[@metropolitandigs]

Note: Chad Channing formerly with Nirvana was lightly mentioned, but excluded from the stage at Nirvana’s 2014 induction RRHOF and most recently, the Grammy Awards for Lifetime Achievement. Very disappointing. Same weird dismissal as Abruzzese. Both were major players in the early years.

[@shaolinnomad]

He was the best drummer in Pearl Jam's history.

[@davebanfield6251]

💯

[@rockohayden3690]

Agreed sir. Totally bar none.

[@jollygrapefruit786]

Pearl jam, specifically Eddie Vedder, was the worst thing to happen to rock music in the 90s

[@Noise_H]

@@jollygrapefruit786 If they really were, then they would have been forgotten instead of Remembered

[@jollygrapefruit786]

@@Noise_H no, they were the worst thing to happen to rock in the 90s specifically because they were so influential. Everyone ripped them off, especially Eddie's awful vocal style.

[@ruffdawgg]

Best drummer they ever had. They fired him because he didn’t want to pretend that he wasn’t enjoying himself. I still think the same way I always have, what a shame. They were and could have been a much better band with him.

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

The EMU, goth, and grunge kids always appeared to pefer to "be with their own kind." Look down on the rest of us, Little Man...

[@5amH45lam]

Matt Cameron?

[@5amH45lam]

_'he didn't want to pretend he wasn't enjoying himself'._ EXACTLY! Spot on. Well said, sir. 👍😎

[@ruffdawgg]

Mr Jean Deaux Matt Cameron is a great drummer. But for me, he will always be Soundgarden’s drummer.

[@robert.m4676]

M 3 Dickie!

[@drums4life80]

Worst decisions made was getting rid of Dave and using less of Stones Songwriting.

[@hamupinhere]

Yeah, you said it. "Ten" and "Vs" are what they are because they've got Stone Gossard's unconventional riffing all over it; the Daves (Krusen & Abbruzzese) put their percussive patent on them, and you can hear it all over that 16th note hi-hat abuse and the driving spastic-prog rhythms that were so prevalent on the first two. Post-1993 Pearl Jam sounds like an entirely different band to me; it just became more straightforward, commercial rock. I enjoyed it, for the most part, but as far as "hitting their creative stride" goes? They peaked WAY early. And don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Jack Irons, Matt Cameron etc etc and they're obviously more than consummate musicians in their craft, but they didn't bring that same groove the Daves did to Pearl Jam. The drumming took a backseat after Abbruzzese was instructed to tone it down musically, and eventually got the boot. I know people think I'm fucking nuts, but aside from maybe 'Not For You', which I keep coming back to all these years for some reason or another, "Vitalogy" is a largely forgettable album, in my shitty opinion. The last time I ever enjoyed a Pearl Jam record was the 2006 self-titled; I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Was it "Ten" or "Vs" good? Almost. It still lacked a certain something.

[@pjokkenroll]

Agreed! It was NEVER the same. They should send his ass to surf, write the music, and have him concentrate on the vocals and lyrics afterwards. He could play that damn ukulele on his free time.

[@hamupinhere]

@@pjokkenroll Eddie Vedder solo/ukulele songs are proof positive that 99% of what makes Pearl Jam listenable is the supremely talented musicians behind him.

[@jeffbarnes19fg76]

Exactly, once Eddie got both hands and feet in PJ music I lost interest. Stone and Jeff are the standout music writers and Dave A is the only drummer that matched Eddies stage presence while sitting on a drum throne. Yes he is a "busier" drummer than anyone else they have had but that was the fun part to me. I would watch him play rather than just watch Ed or Mike during a guitar solo. Just my opinion.............VIVA DAVE A

[@jaygillespie8586]

As much as I love Gigaton and most of the newer albums, it's hard for me to disagree with you here. VS and Ten have that Stone riffing that is so great.

[@williamdouglas1977]

I met Dave in New Orleans back in 1993, I was a 16 year old drummer & really looked up to him. He was the nicest, sweetest dude & even let me sit on stage during a sold out show at the UNO Arena… I list interest in PJ after the let him go. Dave if you’re reading this, THANK YOU !

[@caliskaterdrummer]

When I think of Pearl Jam, I immediately see Dave Abbruzzese killing it on MTV... I like him even more after this video! Great Channel!!

[@AsterixInOz]

Dave's contribution should still be celebrated and honoured. The first 3 Pearl Jam albums were instant classics imho. They were the foundation of this iconic band and Dave's musicianship shaped their sound and success.

[@robg4472]

Dave didn’t play on ten.

[@AsterixInOz]

@@robg4472 That's true, however he was with them prior to its release and was integral with how the bands early sound was shaped and its evolution.

[@ellenchristie9608]

@@robg4472 he played on some that's why he's thanked on the credits!

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

Dave was also on the radio and video versions of "Evenflow" and "Alive" so he's attached to _Ten._

[@Pugetwitch]

I never bought another album after vitalogy and I honestly didn't realize they had continued putting out music. I guess that's my fault, I'm from Seattle and grew up here and had a lot of friends that hung out with that scene in the '90s. Guess that would only make sense if I completed my thought, that being I got burnt out on the scene by the time I graduated high school and had moved on to different genres of music to get into.

[@jesterr7133]

He was the drummer during the most successful era of the band's existence. I don't understand how he was not inducted into the Hall.

[@poloshirtsamurai]

Politics. He's too right-wing for the lefties Ament and Vedder and they're not man enough to fire Dave themselves and made Gossard do it

[@Mr90sMusiclover]

He was also I huge paon for the band and still is to this day, he has a flair for treachery and wants all the glory, not just his share, to bash Chamberland and Kruze, and then say "NO OFFENSE" IS a prime example of how much of a spoiled brat he truly is!!!

[@NPC-30]

Ego probably.

[@FreeAssRecords]

Dave here... I still don't get it, either.

[@DD-gq2jg]

@@Mr90sMusiclover Eddie is that you? Haha

[@finalsecretofchrono1339]

Yep, Pearl Jam was never the same after Abbruzzese's departure. Eddie became America's Bono, hanging out with the kings and queens.

[@keithkoenig5320]

I hated the band even BEFORE that...

[@jimrichens665]

100 percent correct. American Bono.

[@daveyboy8907]

Commie Vedder

[@mrbilldoubleu]

Spot on!

[@blachubear]

Difference is Bono wouldn't push The Edge, Larry & Adam out of the band.

[@outofreach5370]

Dave was absolutely, hands down the best PJ drummer...I exclusively only listen to his era or fantastic live recordings from the early 90's....You can tell in like 5 seconds when he is drumming vs the other guys...True PJ fans, especially drummers like me, know how great he is and how much he contributed and that is what matters most!

[@iamDavidLynam]

Oh I can tell site unseen. Any recording you play for me I can tell you if he's on the track. All of those live shows recorded ... I can close my eyes and tell you his style.

[@gapdspinbacknewz7436]

Dave is best overall. Jack had a great feel too..

[@ryanrichardson9915]

Yes, the drummers know. I only listen to those era tracks as well. I was 17, already a huge Bonzo, Copeland, Phil Collins fan. Then Dave came out and I was like, this is MY guy!!

[@broeheem2804]

Pearl Jam: "We're a democracy". Pearl Jam: "During "Vitalogy", Eddie took over making all the decisions and that rubbed Dave the wrong way".

[@ellenchristie9608]

I think it rubs most bands the wrong way, when Ed from live took over same thing happened but that band broke up over it, I love Ed W. but it ruins it when the front man takes over!

[@FELIX-my1pu]

He was one of the reasons I first started playing the drums. Dave and Alice in Chains drummer Sean Kinny taught me a hell of a lot on the kit in my early years of playing.

[@iamDavidLynam]

Me too

[@KiphartAZ]

I've always thought Abbruzzese was too much "rock star" to be in Pearl Jam. He was too good of a drummer for them. From the start he was making a big noise in the drumming world. He seemed to be the 'other' front man in the band with MTV and being on rock magazines everywhere. It's no surprise to me that the "grunge" band couldn't handle a "rock star" drummer. Kudos to Abbruzzese!

[@BryanCooperOfficial]

It was nice to see that at least Mike McCready had respect for Dave's contribution, but he should've fought for him when he was being kicked out.

[@tombrenes2411]

Hes a drumming legend No one can out do him live He elevated the seatle sound He belongs in the hall of fame Eddie your hall of fame wouldnt be possible without DAVE A

[@diegomazzaron9191]

Amen 🙌

[@johntsunami9368]

Ament 🙌🏾

[@Skycladatdusk78]

Out of all the drummers they had Dave was the best. Matt is great but his sound and style are more suited for a band like Soundgarden. My favorite parts of Vs. and Vitalogy were always Dave's drumming.

[@jgarcia4721]

That was probably the REAL problem

[@Jellybeantiger]

Eddie probably listened to the album and thought “gee,the drums are really the standout” and got his ego in a twist. The best drummers in rock I have found have a groove or a jazz background. Eddie wanted a drummer to hide in the corner so he could be the spotlight.

[@TheBoomtown4]

The only thing that kept their groove less tunes flowing.

[@frippertonics6421]

I agree about Matt Cameron. He's certainly got the gig of a lifetime with Pearl Jam, but it's a shame their music doesn't allow him to really utilize his skills. If Eddie could play drums, then MC would probably only need to be around for Pearl Jame tours.

[@waynebradley75]

I feel Matt Cameron is on a leash in PJ, his drumming in sound garden is so much more interesting and shows how great a drummer he really is.

[@dmphax]

Thank you very much for this video. When I was 16, and Dave was still a part of Pearl Jam, I wrote him a lengthy, teenage melodrama-esque letter. Boy was I shocked when I arrived home from school one day a few weeks later, to a letter postmarked Seattle WA, from Dave Abbruzzese. He wrote me a 4 page letter, explaining that he was on the way to NAMM, among other rockstar world things. I still have that letter today. It was a much different time back then, no Internet. I wondered for many years what ever happened to Dave. Read some nasty gossip later on, some slamming of his character, etc. I am glad to finally hear THIS story, it aligns much better with the vibe I got from him.

[@davidjameabbruzzese6614]

It's been a landslide but we always pull through together your love and support are amazing and i dont know how to payback the love and support you fans has given me am overwhelmed with your support and am giving the opportunity to my fans to kindly drop there email to be added to my private mail and pay back for your support, love you fans hope to receive your reply fans

[@MrYatesj1]

​@@davidjameabbruzzese6614 Respect to you Sir, your work w/PJ has stood the test of time. For so many of us 50 somethings (god that sounds strange) we still put your tracks on today and feel the energy and passion of our 20"s. Music is a wonderful way to time travel and your grooves and style will have retirement homes in the future off the charts haha. Hope all is well.

[@TokyoXtreme]

@@davidjameabbruzzese6614 What a legend. My friends and I were all in high school in Washington during the early 90s, and often had hours-long discussions on the musicians in the big Seattle bands, and we were all in agreement that Dave A was hands-down the best drummer in the scene. The only thing we couldn’t agree on was the pronunciation of your last name! We all stopped listening to Pearl Jam when you left too; the magic was gone. I still listen to Vs. regularly though, and love the drumming in Glorified G. Can’t imagine how many hours of my life has been spent listening to your drumming. Epic.

[@timothypartin8460]

Was a big PJ fan until you were no longer in the band...your drumming was a huge part of the bands sound....you are a rock HOF'er.....everyone knows that...thanks for the memories

[@SO2011BR]

@@davidjameabbruzzese6614 you are the only reason I began listening to PJ. I've been a drummer my entire life. As soon as I heard your groove, feel, and approach I was hooked. IMHO your drumming was a huge part that pushed the band into success. Eddie Vetter ruined the band because his ego couldn't stand the recognition you rightfully deserved. Like many, many others, I completely lost interest in PJ the day they let you go. Thank you for the drumming inspiration and God bless everything you do moving forward.

[@nicolasacevedo9442]

Dave is Pearl Jam’s top drummer in my opinion. They made their finest album when he was on board. His playing was amazing.

[@Kunalplaydrums]

Dave inspired me to play drums. Such a groovy drummer , and a great human being . God bless him.

[@ncave7147]

Dave was Pearl Jam's drummer. He brought his own style and personality that was/is easily recognizable

[@miless544]

You can tell from his continued presence on social media that his time with PJ was a hugely influential time in Dave's life. He was there for their meteoric rise in popularity, and his talent contributed in no small way to that.

[@seansherrod8725]

Interesting enough, as former simi- professional drummer myself I didn't care for Pearl Jam UNTIL the second album and haven't been interested in Pearl Jam since the third album. What caught my attention was the undeniable energy that was coming from the drummer. "Go" and "Animal" are and always will be my Top two favorite Pearl Jam songs and easily in my top five favorite alternative songs of all time.

[@SydneyDrums]

I agree completely 👌🏼

[@danielcapretti2458]

Spot on - the first album had the same drumming on all songs, sounded like it was a pre-recorded base - then it became really good with the follow up acts

[@MrNb22]

He's fantastic. Those albums had the best replayability in the entire catalog.

[@fluxmuldar]

PJ lost their edge after they fired Dave. He had a very magical touch behind the kit that made Pearl Jam special.

[@ellenchristie9608]

yeah, exactly and just like ACDC weren't the same or didn't quite have the same feels without Phil Rudd (my counsin) neither did P.J. after Dave was fired, when I watch or isten to P.J it's definitely when Dave is behind the kit with his hard hitting style, one of my fav musicians along with Mike Mccready as my fav lead guitarist!

[@dodikurniawan5955]

Agree

[@scottfielding6179]

Agreed, he had that swing and groove with touches of jazz and fusion. That whole fiasco reminded me of Steven Adler on the first GnR record. Once they fired Adler it lost that groove and swing. I lost interest in PJ after Vs., sadly. .

[@DCB728]

They lost nothing.

[@craigchant1367]

Yeah I agree. In my opinion after Dave A was fired they weren't the same. They were awesome when he was drummer. Dave K was good too.

[@PrestonHazard]

The first quote about growing weed in the closet is literally the most Dave thing I’ve ever heard 😂😂😂

[@MicroSoftner]

The first thing I noticed about Pearl Jam back in 92 was the drummer...

[@jondubb35]

Abbruzzese is by far the best drummer for PJ. He had a groove that none of the other drummers had.

[@raidozon]

Despite Pearl Jam went on being successful without Dave, I believe this was a massive loss for them. The style provided by Dave enriched so much its sound, and gave the groove and pace required. I love Matt Cameron, he is simply a great, but Dave fit much more, the same way that Matt couldn't be replaced in Soundgarden. This is an awesome video.

[@scottraycraft1885]

They were not as successful Post virology pj was nothing like previous NOTHING

[@thomasVA9707]

Yeah I loved Matt in Soundgarden and his drumming stood out but in Pearl Jam he didn't matter to me

[@danhope77]

I saw Soundgarden live in Chile without Cameron and that drummer did an excellent job. Cameron was not missed. Although,. Cameron would be missed as a composer and contributor to Soundgarden's music.

[@scottraycraft5151]

if pearl jam had not done 10, vs, and vitoligy, they would have been unknown...everything after vitoligy was meh at best, they mostly coasted on the fame of their first 3 albums imo

[@raidozon]

@@scottraycraft5151 I agree, although maybe its music might be more popular if they weren't nos reluctant to be on tv more often, or other media, like other artists, but they chose not to self promote themselves, just like other grunge and alternative bands. Even they haven't been comfortable doing music videos or stuff.

[@keivspare]

Dave Abbruzzese is my favorite Pearl Jam drummer. He had a huge impact on their sound and energy when they were coming up in those first years from 1992 to 1994 and it's an absolute injustice that he wasn't inducted with the rest of the band. Another reason for his departure which is not mentioned is that Ed always wanted Jack Irons to be the drummer of Pearl Jam, and by 1994 Jack was available and Eddie finally got his wish. There was also a story about how the band had agreed to no more interviews with magazines, but Dave had an interview scheduled with a drum magazine that he had been a reader of since he was a kid. He decided to go ahead with the interview, and that really pissed off Ed. I hadn't heard the story about accidentally breaking Ed's guitar before, and I'm dubious of it. There was also a story that Dave told about how during a band meeting he was looking down at the ground and was telling the guys about how he was really having issues with carpal tunnel syndrome and it was very painful but that he could assure them that he would not back down an inch in terms of giving his all while playing because he loved the music and the band and the fans so much. He was choking up and really being emotionally vulnerable to them, but when he looked up - all the other guys had left and hadn't even been listening.

[@JasonNation72]

Total crap that Dave was left out of Pearl Jam's HOF induction.

[@vascoernesto78]

Agreed

[@zakrowe1301]

Yeah that was really bad, when people think of pearl jam they think of Eddie, stone, Jeff, Mike and dave.

[@Guncho06]

@@zakrowe1301 No they don't. Just people who stopped listening to PJ after Vitalogy.

[@tiluriso]

Lord Vedder is to blame. A shameless attempt to rewrite history.

[@drewledbetter8317]

@@Guncho06 Many people's first exposure to PJ was the Evenflow video on MTV with the re-recorded Evenflow with Dave playing. All of their biggest TV appearances were with him: Unplugged, MTV Music Awards and SNL. He played on the Ten tour as they were becoming famous, and played on their biggest selling #1 albums with Vs. and Vitalogy. They were the biggest band on the planet during the time he was in the band, so I think a lot of people do think of him as well when they think of Pearl Jam. I think you can see that by how many comments there are about him in any live youtube video where he was still the drummer. Can't really recall any former drummers of bands still around who get as much love from the fans as him.

[@sailb7636]

They did Dave dirty when they fired him and kept him from being inducted in RR Hall of Fame. Best drummer PJ ever had and they lost the fire when he was gone.

[@itikutok6568]

Dave was their best drummer in their best years and is literally the reason I got into Pearl Jam. When I saw the 1992 Unplugged I was instantly hooked.

[@kbutcher]

I got to meet Dave at a music store when I was a kid/teen for a meet and greet. He was amazing. I have always considered him Pearl Jam's drummer.

[@williamberry8895]

McCready is a class act. I also love the Mad Season album. Layne Staley and Mike along with the other guys and producers made 1 of the best albums from the 90s

[@jeffloucks2120]

Soooo right !!

[@colico14]

I've had the pleasure of meeting him. He's a genuinely nice person. Great guitarist, too.

[@danielcapretti2458]

Yes, but Veder,a mediocre singer, always wanted centre stage

[@johnstahrstartcleanfitwell1051]

David Abbruzzese was THE Best it's just such a shame... I'm so glad you posted this!!!! He was a perfect LIVE drummer!!! THANK YOU!!

[@kevingilroy]

We worked on his Cadillac. Dude is 1000 percent rock star! I can't even tell the story online. Because I don't know the statute of limitations.

[@tiluriso]

Short answer: Eddie Vedder. 'Vs' is the last PJ album I really enjoyed. Dave was the best drummer they ever had - and no dis to Matt Cameron, who is a great drummer in his own right, but stylistically Abbruzzese was 'the guy'. Dave wrote the riff of 'Go', on an acoustic guitar. At the time they fired him, I recall Vedder alluding to Dave bringing a gun to band practice. More recently I read that it was something to the effect that Abbruzzese incurred in the cardinal sin of 'wanting to be a rock star'. The ironic thing is that Lord Vedder is now the clichéd rock star millionaire, rubbing shoulders w/ Hollywood and married to a model 20 years his junior. Eddie was great in 1991, '92, his singing on 'Ten' is epic (still my favorite PJ record). Eddie hijacked the band, turned into his mouthpiece, picking useless fights w/ ticket master and essentially dictating not only its 'politics' but also the musical direction, turning a once great band into an more or less ordinary (that is, typical of the period) 'alternative rock/punk' band, repositioning the band's sonic aesthetic and IMHO, dumbing down their sound. I read recently that they remastered and/or remixed the album 'Ten', completely changing the mix, drying it out, making it sound worse. The culprit? Lord Vedder or course, who claims the original producer 'over-produced' the album (I guess adding reverb to a mix qualifies as over-production in this guy's mind)...Wonder what Rick Parashar thinks about that...And of course Vedder himself is solely responsible for PJ not inviting Dave to be inducted into the RNRHOF along w/ the others...Lord Vedder, The Dictator....Sad.

[@davidwood9966]

About that Ten remix, it isn't bad at all, I reckon. Just a different mix. Better than when Dave remixed Megadeth.

[@tiluriso]

@@davidwood9966 I beg to differ.While the songs are there, I say it doesn't match the original. But that's my opinion.

[@tiluriso]

@@davidwood9966 Not bad, but some of the mystique is lost IMO. To me, part of the Grunge sound was that somewhat hazy, foggy at times swampy wall of sounds, where individual lines were sometimes blurred and you couldn't really tell exactly what the actual parts where. The reverb of the original mix is gone. so the effect in my ears is quite different . It is the same collection of songs, the same recording sessions and takes, yet it didn't produce the same effect on my brain when I listened to it. Sounds like a pre mix rough cut, has a certain 'garage-y feel' sure enough, but to me part of the 'magic' is gone, the feeling is gone. But when I listen to my original 1991 CD, it is always there. And that's the record that millions like myself had come to know and love.

[@animegamingdude]

@@tiluriso rick parashar is dead

[@tiluriso]

@@animegamingdude Did't know that. Nevertheless, you get my point...

[@jcdova29]

This sounds like a total Eddie Vedder tantrum. The dude is so moody and grudgy. I like that Dave took the high road.

[@cecelia1350]

The personalities just didn’t click. However they should have included him in the induction. But f him for dissing the other drummers.

[@adamdavis4417]

Probably the most underrated drummer of the 90s. Everyone talks about Dave Grohl, chad smith, jimmy chamberlain, and Matt Cameron. But besides grohl, no one hit harder, or was so polished. It’s a shame what happened to him.

[@BadRonald1]

Agreed

[@patricksullivan7140]

I agree

[@meghanodonoghue9066]

You said it...he had power, groove, and greatness. He smashed those drums and crashed those cymbals! His drumming on w.m.a. speaks for itself...it's a crime and an injustice he wasn't inducted

[@Pugetwitch]

Chamberlain is so overrated

[@gabrielaguilar1391]

@@Pugetwitch Chamberlain is the most technically proficient of the drummers mentioned. Easily the best drummer of those mentioned. Matt Cameron would be second. Grohl is competant, but in no way exceptional.

[@PinkTorpedo909]

He just became my favorite member of that band. I never liked them I always thought they were pretentious and always took themselves way too seriously especially Eddie Vedder.

[@bobshenix]

Eddie was responsible for most of that image... and he is the most political person in the band BY FAR.

[@bobshenix]

Which reminds me, one thing R&RTS left out of this was Dave's pro-gun views... something that was known to not sit well with Eddie. Dave was most likely fine coexisting with Eddie and his politics, but Eddie is clearly pretty intolerant.

[@sachmo8]

Youth and sudden fame can be disorienting and I’m sure Ed will be the first tell you he cringes at listening to some of his early interviews. That being said I believe their hearts were always in the right place. Lastly Ed maybe politically liberal but it never stopped him from being best friends with Johnny Ramone who was a staunch conservative. Ed will be the first to tell you that while he might not agree with your politics he will always respect your freedom to have opinions that differ from his.

[@rnrpeg1]

@@sachmo8 lol. Thanks for that analysis, Ed.

[@sunnybrowne7293]

I quit listening to PJ after Dave left. PJ was such an influence on my life at the time I moved to Seattle in 92. When I saw PJ in 92 in Ventura I ran into Dave on the street. We shared tattoos being that we were probably the only two guys in the world at the time that had stick man tattooed on us. Dave was a cool dude for the limited amount of time we spoke. Now Dave being more technical than what the other guys liked, that's stupid. PJ was a technical band by trade. It boiled down to people are different in the Pacific northwest and well in Texas, people seem to be a little more real.

[@joeygilbert3558]

I read an interview in Modern Drummer back in the day. Dave said Eddie used to complain about him doing appearances at drum clinics and that his drumkit had too many cymbals and looked "too rock"

[@4FYTfa8EjYHNXjChe8xs7xmC5pNEtz]

He said the same thing about Dave's new car.

[@ceejaydeesoozaa]

his drumming on WMA is like whoa!

[@jayrob5270]

He was definitely their best drummer always wondered why he suddenly "left"

[@meghanodonoghue9066]

I think it is wrong that Eddie didn't go to bat for Dave...I love pearl jam but what's wrong is wrong. Dave Krusen? Really? Dave was a million times the drummer Krusen was. And the fact that he played from the ten tour all the way to recording vitalogy speaks for itself. Whether the band likes him or not, they can't deny the magic and the energy he brought. W.m.a. is one of if not the best drumming I've ever heard in any song, hands down. Animal, glorified g, not for you, Satan's bed, whipping....it's not right the way he was snubbed

[@Erick-jl7ju]

Abbruzzese also contributed riffs on the VS. album. He was described as a secret weapon by some of the band members because of this. Those other guys were hypocrites in complaining about his rock and roll life style, meanwhile they never hesitated to appear on the cover of RS magazine over and over again.

[@jondubb35]

Yep. In fact, he wrote the music riff for the opening track on Vs, “Go”

[@drewledbetter8317]

@@jondubb35 You know they had a seriously talented band when the freaking drummer came up with the riff to the first track of their hugely anticipated second album which was not only a #1 album, but was the biggest selling album ever at the time in its first week selling nearly 1 million copies in 5 days. You don't get more rocking than "Go" into "Animal" to kick off a CD. Awesome drumming!

[@gerardspringer8576]

Petty shit! If Eddie was getting pissy cause he was on Modern Drummer magazine. All Drummers want to be. When I met Dave he was a down Earth guy. The one that was uncomfortable about fame & shit was Vedder!

[@robwalsh9843]

What I found ridiculous was the comment about wanting to sound like The Buzzcocks from Jeff Ament. This is coming from a guy who was too rock n' roll for Mark Arm and who used a freaking 12 string bass(an idea that he got from King's X), and now Dave is too much of a rocker?. Jeff and Dave really worked well together as a rhythm section, it's a shame.

[@easttowest5984]

And Eddie married.. gasp.. a model. Rock star marries much younger model, can't get anymore cliche than that.

[@garysullivan5481]

Dave had fire and energy in his playing...I was never a Pearl Jam fan but saw them at a festival and Dave was the best thing about them that day...

[@grizzghost2085]

Dave was the best drummer they ever had 🥁

[@qwertyzxcv123]

True

[@violetviolence79]

👍👍👍👍❤❤❤

[@user-wu5rp5rz2x]

Umm Matt Cameron

[@grizzghost2085]

@@user-wu5rp5rz2x is that a joke? 🤣

[@billyshead1339]

Yea Pearl Jam sounded like a bunch of uptight “woke” dudes. Huge fan of them when I was a teen in the 90s but during some of vitalogy they lost me. A song or 2 on each album after that are ok but that’s about it for me.

[@soundhaus6404]

Dave will forever be the iconic drummer of Pearl Jam!!

[@maynoldmoreno7888]

Dave Abbruzzese is the man! After they fired, PJ music did change but it was not the same. And I slowing lost interest in the band. But not in Dave, When he was in the band their music was explosive, inspirational, energetically great live and in the records. There is no drummer one like him. He is like our modern Bonham drummer 🤩

[@Markcello]

Same for me

[@FreeAssRecords]

Thank you, Maynold!

[@LeonidsStrapOn]

I remember all the early '90s grunge bands constantly complaining about their success. It started to get a little irritating after a while. Imagine having to be around Vedder and his "Tortured Soul" routine all the time, when all you want to do is play music, make people happy and have a great time doing it.

[@pinkfreud62]

Cobain was the worse one. He just should have stayed in his basement and strummed guitar to himself.

[@roncolem4558]

I TOTALLY AGREE. I remember when Garth Brooks won an award for artist of the year or something and he gave this speech saying Hootie and the Blowfish should have won so he gave them the award. The next year Pearl Jam( Eddie) gave some speech while excepting an award saying" this doesn't mean anything and we don't care about this" The first thing i thought was they didn't want to get the" we're just ordinary humble guys" image bested by Garth Brooks so that's why they did that!😂😂😂😂😂

[@THE_BEAR_JEW]

I think you have to remember the context. All those guys were ignored for years despite being super talented and all of a sudden when 80s glam was played out and the music industry was struggling to find something new and exciting, they turned to the movement that had being going on in the alternative scene for several years already. Meanwhile those guys were starving, they'd lost friends like Andrew Wood, and so they were pissed at the industry that seemed fake in now accepting them and giving them awards. They liked the success... it's what they'd worked for all their lives, and for the first time in a long time, they weren't homeless or starving. The thing is that they couldn't help but feel a bit used by the music industry. You also have to take into account that they were right. MTV threw those 80s glam guys out the window as soon as they were no longer cool. The music industry also went with big business every single time as you saw with Ticketmaster gaining a monopoly and blackballing anyone who didn't do what they wanted. Unless you were on the level of someone like Michael Jackson or Tom Petty, you had no power and even less power when you are just some guys from Seattle (which was not respected at all musically until the early 90s).

[@chercher304]

That why alice in chains is my fave band!!! They were just themselves and werent with the fake wokeness!!!

[@4FYTfa8EjYHNXjChe8xs7xmC5pNEtz]

Vedder was actually a really happy person. He was voted "most popular" in high school. That alone would keep me from liking him.

[@grandslamman438]

It's absolutely wrong that the band didn't give DA any recognition whether or not the RRHOF allowed for his induction. The band was inducted primarily because of the popularity they attained during the years he performed with them. He has every right to be upset. This isn't about how much you like someone, it's about honoring the work you all did to get to that point. What a shame.

[@tedlogan5628]

The bands whole situation is puzzling one. After Mother Love Bone they still wanted to "make it" in the music world and picked up Ed. Then when things finally are about to pick up career wise with "Ten", they can't hold onto a drummer. In comes Dave and gave them a real shot in the arm with energy and different swing. Tours the shit out of everything and was present and contributing to two of the highest regarded/best selling records PJ puts out. Dave being from Texas, doesn't have everything in common with the guys who've known each other for years living the Seattle life style. Even if he's not someone's fav drummer he still put in the work and earned his spot in Rock history.

[@zombi3907]

I mean, I remember Eddie Vedder being a complete drunken mess at that point. I lived in San Diego and LA as a musician in the nineties and I had several friends who had very odd interactions with him, describing him as either going through strong mental or substance issues by his behavior. I think I remember him having a "handler" to make sure he showed up at places and didn't get lost, because he would just sort of go away with people he'd just met. Then there was that MTV interview or clip where he can barely speak and he's talking about his genius and creative brilliance and a ton of empties all over a coffee table like some frat house dorm room. I think Vedder around that time was pretty lost. He seems a lot more clear these days, so good for him. But at the time, ugh.

[@gerardspringer8576]

Yeah i think there was a period there he was drugged out. Might of been some smack involved

[@emrahu1327]

@@zombi3907 the thing that was really anoyying me during those years, Eddie had an attitute that he was very sensitive and responsible person to the people, world, humanity etc while there was a massacre in Bosnia, China or Iraq but he never uttered a word about those things.

[@laynevlogz4922]

Zombi Ed was a smack head from California. Very talented song writer on the drugs. Not so good off them.

[@pjfan173]

Emrah U He hasn’t said a word about the Marxist Terrorists destroying Seattle.

[@gdansk12349]

Dave Abbruzzese was unconsciously my main influence in drumming and also his undeniable pure energy moved me to create in a very important time in my life. Thank you Dave. Rock on! PS. I travelled from Sweden to L.A. to see PJ at The Great Western Forum in 98 with Matt Cameron on drums but it was such a disappointment. It was like they turned into old farts without push and drive the minute he left. I love Matt Cameron’s drumming with Soundgarden but he’s too lose and can’t whip PJ into shape even if he wanted too. So sad to see their potential just watered down.

[@gingerssmelllikecabbageand8708]

What he brought to peral jam was unique, loved his style and fills. Of the 90’s drummers he does stand above the rest. Unplugged really shows his drumming chops

[@marshalmagooo3899]

Robert DeLeo of STP tells of a story of how he tried to introduce himself to Ed and Cornell at Lollapalooza 92 and they looked at him like like why are you trying to talk to us and gave him the cold shoulder. DeLeo said he decided then to hang with people he liked.

[@AaronStark1993]

Not surprising. Vedder has always been a douche.

[@marshalmagooo3899]

@@AaronStark1993 Weiland said they always got along great with Pearl Jam and would see Stone, Jeff and Dave qhen they played Seattle except for Ed...said he never wanted to hang around.

[@pip7967]

Scott weiland is no picnic to be around. :/

[@pip7967]

@Pauly Walnuts i belived he was sniped out. By the elite

[@FeelingShred]

Seattle people in a nutshell right there. These people are cunts disguising behind the "politeness" mask. And they are very closed down into their social circles, these people will hangout with the same people they went to school for the rest of their lives.

[@pinkracoon101]

despite these men's relationships. they all share an incredibly unique and beautiful connection in music and emotion that nobody else will ever experience. when they sync the drama vanishes.

[@legacysupplies3132]

Pearl jam were exciting when he was in the band.

[@thirstypilgrim97]

Nobody ever replicated Dave's energy on the kit.

[@PauloRoldan]

Dave is without a doubt the best Pearl Jam drummer ever. No one comes close to his feel and creativity. No one.

[@onixc3348]

He was key to their success. His drumming made Pearl Jam special, after he was fired, only Eddie Vetter fans cared about Pearl Jam.

[@AndI0td763]

@@onixc3348 Well from what I’ve read Eddie basically took over the band and No Code is his baby, an album that lost them like half their fan base. I’m not a fan of that album, it’s totally disjointed and purposefully going away from what made them big with Ten and Vs. Seems like he wanted to bring in all these different influences, Neil Young, hardcore punk, world beat, etc. Seemed really forced and calculated, trying to grab at artistic recognition, instead of just making great rock songs and playing the hell out of them live which is what made them famous to begin with. A great rock band has a great drummer. Mike and Stone are good but they aren’t exceptionally unique, Dave A was unique and brought a certain groove to the band that people still talk about to this day. It’s absolutely ridiculous to fire a drummer like that and turn the band into something else but that’s what Vedder did and that’s why I don’t care for him. He was never such a talent that he should’ve taken over and become this sort of Neil Young singer-songwriter. He was a rock vocalist, not Bob Dylan, but that’s what he wanted to be I guess. Anyway they still have their large fan base and they’re a fine legacy live band but the great albums stopped being released a long time ago.

[@diggahole3056]

I prefer Matt Cameron

[@boxychubbo6922]

@@diggahole3056 Matt Cameron is a monster drummer.

[@jeremysmith1879]

"Go" on the Vs album is one of the most intense and energetic songs i've ever heard. I believe Dave A wrote it (?) and his drumming in the song is phenomenal. His groove and intensity have yet to be replaced in PJ...

[@yetivanmarshall1473]

When you watch the film's from the Dave years, him sitting 5 feet above Eddie, he takes all the attention away from everyone else on the stage. I think Dave's stage presence may have been too much for Eddie to handle. Check out Dissident from Vegas 93. Dave just steals the song away. I've been playing guitar since 1967 and can't take my eyes off Dave when he's playing. He's as enjoyable to watch as Keith Moon.

[@easttowest5984]

Eddie will take care of that by climbing rafters and stage dives.. all eyes on him you know.

[@trento7183]

never understood why Eddie would have a problem with that. Dave standing out makes Eddie stand out as well. It worked well for PJ as seen in those album sales.

[@GB-hj3xp]

Ha precisely. Every time I watch their Unplugged performance, I’m like “Eddie, get the f*** out of the way, Dave’s playing drums..”

[@DarrenGlen]

id go so far as to day that Dave was too good looking for Eddie's liking..Dave probably pulled just as many if not more chicks backstage which im sure woulda pissed Eddie off as well

[@ACDC392333]

Okay but also Stone flubs a bunch in that video. I think that prob threw the guys up front off.

[@mattwilliam4803]

Abbruzzese gave them a big, powerful, passionate sound that they lost and never got back after he left. They've never been quite the same without him.

[@foodog777]

Dave being snubbed by PJ for the R&RHOF is so petty. Dave played with them live at their peak and on Vs. and Vitology - their 2nd and 3rd best albums in sales and creativity. Dave had more of an impact on PJ than Krusen or Cameron who were inducted.

[@mrnelsonius5631]

Sometimes in a band, the person who is the best musical fit isn’t the best fit with all the interpersonal politics between members. That’s 100% what happened here. His drumming on those records is so fresh and grooving. Being in a band is like being married to the members, you literally spend more time with them than you do your wives/significant others. WAY more. It can get messy. The hall of fame snub is egregious though, Dave carried them through the most grueling part of their career, the “coming up” part

[@jgarcia4721]

Absolutely

[@GuitarDudeXXX]

@Mr Nelsonius - 100% correct!

[@blackturkdog]

then say it is politics and not technical prowess. i used t like PJ but Vedder's politics stared to turn me off as I grew older.

[@mck7646]

The people have spoken. He was a main reason why many liked the band in their heyday, he deserves the credit.

[@redacted2275]

Oh, that's a load of bull... Eddie Vedder was the only one that wanted total control and didn't called Dave after he was fired... politics doesn't mean lack of character, especially for someone who cares so much to show how much of it he has like Vedder. "Vs." were the album that solidified PJ into their mainstream success and that brought other type of fans due to its heavier, groovy sound. "Vitalogy" was also great, it wasn't so popular because the band (or Vedder) chose to release it on vinyl only in the first weeks and without any official, non-live videoclips on MTV. PJ became Vedder's band and Vedder became a bad Neil Young impersonator. It all started with "the band's politics". It has nothing to do with the analogy of marriage, PJ after Dave was not even a democracy anymore.

[@kevinrutkowski3034]

Wow this has been one of the best episodes you have done yet in my opinion, every episode is great even when i dont care about the specific musicians!

[@terencesingerline135]

Thank you for this video! In my opinion Dave Abbruzzese was my favorite drummer in Pearl Jam..He has such a great style of playing that truly pushed the band in a heavy direction..As with any kind of relationship it’s all about chemistry and unfortunately for this era of Pearl Jam is no more..

[@stever.7658]

I always did get the impression that guitarist Mike McCready was a standup guy. From where I sit at a fans perspective I could see why Abbrezezze got along better with the guitarists McCready and Stone. I also can see why he didn't get along with Vedder & why their personalities clashed. Abruzezee was always my favorite drummer through the years.

[@stever.7658]

Exuse my spelling mistakes

[@martinmcneill7821]

@@stever.7658 never worry about spelling mistakes. I worked with professional engineers who couldnt' spell...

[@dansemacabre6515]

Pearl Jam divorcing Dave A. was the stupidest move possible. Dave was an authentic "Rock n Roller," & that shined through in his talent, stage presence, & the energy it gave the band. Eddie Vedder is a super-Diva & self-absorbed in his weird selfrighteous ego. They went from being the #1 band in the world with Dave to an afterthought. Ruined the band when they booted him imo

[@diomiherrington]

I have to preface this by saying I’m a fan of Pearl Jam’s older albums- Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament are indeed grandstanding, hypocritical snowflakes, intolerant of views at odds with their own. Dave Abbruzzese was/is more of an old school moderate or modern conservative and those guys were hyper critical of him for being pro-firearm rights and even just for owning a pickup truck. It’s also ridiculous for Vedder to complain about “Black” becoming a radio staple after putting it on the debut album and then complain about his displeasure with its popularity, citing how personal and private it was. Figure that one out. Then complaining about fame and the “rock star” status after joining a band who were known for and openly stating that they were seeking to be signed to a major record label prior to their debut. Even Kurt Cobain was critical of them for this (albeit also hypocritically), going so far as to call them, “careerists, [seeking to be] professional musicians.” And Abbruzzese nailed it with his reference to Pearl Jam being on the cover of Rolling Stone. (Side note: Cobain was correct- Rolling Stone DOES suck.) Then there’s the criticism of Abbruzzese for being too “busy” of a drummer being contradicted by the fact that they ultimately recruited Matt Cameron of Soundgarden. I’m primarily a drummer, a fan of both drummers and I’ve basically “studied” both of them- they’re both “busy” drummers. Moral of the story is that Vedder and Ament can be nice guys so long as they’re in the company of those who concur and don’t challenge their views.

[@pinkfreud62]

Yea, for Vedder to claim Dave was a "busy" drummer and yet he loves The Who makes no sense. Keith Moon was the busiest drummer of them all, lol. And we all know how busy Neil Peart is, so I don't understand why busy is considered bad. 🤔

[@thewhiteelephant]

Excellent commentary. “Glorified G” is another of Vedder’s ridiculous stabs at Abbruzzese and those who don’t align with his political fears.

[@PennyStocks1269]

Well said! Exactly right.

[@cecilhunter5228]

Well said my friend

[@blondie9909]

So what i got from this is everyone is a hypocrite, yeah that checks out . I guess at some point everyone becomes one even if it doesn't come from a bad/egoistical place (on porpuse) . Of course we all love to talk but its hard to say what exactly went down tho i can def see what u r saying , i kinda agree but yeah its just a messy situation i guess nothing to do about it now

[@Sobersasquatch]

His drumming on Verses is perfect. It's too bad they didn't get along. They haven't been as good since he left.

[@p0llenp0ny]

Versus*

[@wtclifford]

p0llenp0ny *Vs.

[@robert.m4676]

p0llenp0ny who cares! Point was made🙀

[@joosuahuopaniemi471]

@MorbidManMusic Again lmao biggest songs were on ten and vs

[@capo_di_capi]

It really is, especially since Vs. is by far their best most cohesive effort, then Eddie gets a guitar and turns the band into Neil Young.

[@kirkwilson6229]

Abbrusseze was their best drummer, in my opinion. I liked the crisp technicality he brought to their rhythm sound. Cameron is a fantastic drummer, but I always felt Dave just sounded better in their mix.

[@SM-xt5gl]

Excellent analogy . Dave with PJ gave them groove and I like Matt with SG . His drumming ( Matt’s) in PJ when covers a Dave era song I find hard to enjoy .

[@hankgoldenshaft]

Dave should’ve been in the HOF ceremony, his drumming sounded the best of all their drummers

[@nickalexander7189]

i love Pearl Jam but like what they did to Dave is criminal Dave’s one of the best drummers out there and the fact they did not include him in the rock and roll hall of fame is so wrong

[@arborist460]

Got unplugged recorded and I’m with the rest of y’all he’s a huge part of there sound and love watchin him flow across the skins…

[@acemechanical275]

Dave Abruzzese was the best part of Pearl Jam. I saw Candlebox at a smaller club a few years ago, and Dave Kruzen was on drums. I didn’t even become aware of it until later in the show.

[@jmiddlefinger]

Eddie Vedder became insufferable and I never paid another ounce of attention to them. Dave Abruzzese, in my opinion, is the only Pearl Jam drummer who ever mattered, because Pearl Jam never did a fucking thing worth a damn after Vitalogy. That is all. Thank you.

[@edlaw51501]

Dave Abbruzzese was PJ most technically proficient drummer and the guy behind the kit during PJ biggest years and Hits, just for that time period alone Dave A should have been asked by the band to participate in RRHOF ceremony, as we know PJ was totally controlled by Vedder after VS. Record, no disrespect meant to EV but the band was better musically and had stronger songs when Stone and Mike had more say or control of music contributions, the 1st 2 albums were my favorite time period of PJ Im sure many will agree and many will disagree cause they like PJ where they are now, all that aside being Dave A was the man behind the kit during those prime years he should have been at ceremony and inducted. In my opinon.

[@johnbarber9417]

The musical identity of Pearl Jam radically changed with the departure of Dave A. I don’t listen, chronologically, beyond “Vitalogy”. I no longer connected with the band.

[@lukeingram7655]

This ...you captured my thoughts precisely.

[@ckat609]

indeed

[@jeffloucks2120]

Right there with you.

[@byrondean]

Same here. There are the first 3 three Pearl Jam albums, and the rest of the discography is a giant blah. A lot like STP after Core and Purple.

[@zogjones]

Same! So THAT’S why! 🤣

[@ministerofdarkness]

Good to see all the love for Abbruzzese! He was my favorite PJ drummer as well. After he left, I checked out. Vs. and Vitalogy are the best albums. PLAY LOUD 🥁

[@Fordlyford74]

A shitty singer wanted a great drummer to mimic another band. Fun fact, after Vitology that shitty singer castrated their edgy sound and relegated them to elevator music.

[@clownprince0801]

Nice breakdown, personally I loved his style of playing. With all the drummers in the world, he always stood out to me in a cool and unique way for reasons I can't explain. I still think of him to this day whenever Pearl Jam is brought up.

[@romusromulus]

As a drummer, I see Dave as a big influence and a Very unique musician. His sound, even setup changed many things.

[@Kegga_6]

Dave was by far the best drummer PJ has had. To say Matt Cameron is PJ'S drummer is just weird he's from Soundgarden plus he's like the Seattle bands utility drummer. I got to see Dave play live with them several times and when they let him go I think their power left the band that's just my opinion

[@dontdrinkthekoolaid.]

I agree.

[@turbo8481]

Completely agree. Matt Cameron is a solid straight forward drummer, but it just doesnt fit with PJ's older music. I mean even "Black" sounds weird with a straight forward beat with no ghost notes on the snare, which Dave was a master of. He was PJ's perfect drummer!

[@4FYTfa8EjYHNXjChe8xs7xmC5pNEtz]

I really disagree that Cameron was anybody's 'utility drummer', although I do agree he's not the greatest fit for PJ. He was fantastic in Soundgarden and really drove their sound. If you really listen to Soundgarden I think you'll find he's far more than just a "straightforward drummer." His work on "Black Hole Sun", for example, is amazing.

[@sethprice1536]

When will a reporter have the balls to ask Eddie or Jeff about Dave?

[@Scott__C]

Yeah, the whole "I don't want to be a rockstar" thing to me is disingenuous if you're releasing albums on a major label and touring with world renown bands. I like their music, but trying for an image just as hard as Poison was 5 years before them.

[@thehandseesall]

How to explain Josh Homme walking away from the success that Kyuss was about to have?