Former Pearl Jam drummer Dave Abbruzzese has posted the following on Facebook:
To all of you:
I saw that my friend, Joe Gastwirt posted the following;
“Leaving Dave Abbruzzese out of this award, discredits every member of Pearl Jam that receives it, as well as every other artist that has received an award from the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.”
This tops the heap of countless heartfelt reminders of moments, well wishes, and folks showing me some serious love and consideration.
The outpouring of support and the show of appreciation that has been given to me from friends, fans and my peers has been just tremendous. …overwhelming even.
I do agree with Joe’s post.
Pearl Jam has always seemingly had a perceived level of integrity and has been known to stand their ground & fight the good fight, but it seems the allure of being given this trophy is just to important for them to take a stand.
I want to let you all know that ultimately, it’s gonna be okay.
We still have the music and no amount of corporate conglomerate or ticky-tack bullshit can keep us from enjoying the power of the music we love. The fact that we find ourselves fighting for the integrity of the validity of a segment of Pearl Jam history to be acknowledged is straight up beautiful. The reason we have to is what the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is supposed to have been built to celebrate; The love of the music.
I have always thought that every award given to a band that celebrates the bands lifetime achievements should be awarded to every person that was ever a debt incurring, life sacrificing, blood spilling, member of that band. Maybe the Hall should reevaluate the need to put all the monkeys in the same cage in order to boost revenue, and instead let the history of the band be fully and completely represented as they were and as they are. …leave it up to the group to show their true colors as they celebrate their own history in a manner of their choosing.
I don’t know. But whoever is ultimately responsible for the decision that deemed my work with Pearl Jam as an effort that was not important enough to grant me induction knows nothing of what we accomplished, and I am personally at a loss for words for how Stone, Mike, Jeff, Matt, Edward and Kelly Curtis are accepting of such an injustice.
I will admit to wanting to look out over my drum kit at the faces of Jeff, Stone, Mike and Eddie. Looking to my left at my drum tech, the mainest of mellow, Mr. Jimmy Shoaf and seeing him give me that look that dares me to destroy my cymbals and kick the songs ass, the bands ass and the crowds ass… The idea of counting it off and giving the band, the music & the people all that I have to give, as I always have without compromise or hesitation… The sound of the people singing along… Making eye contact with the person air drumming their ass off right before the big drum fill, so we can do it together…
I loved it.
I loved it every single time.
If you were there, then you know what this band Pearl Jam was like when it had something to prove. Well, we proved it every single time.
Show after show.
I was there and I am still proud to be a part of what Pearl Jam was. My point in all of this is to share the fact that what Pearl Jam once was, is what is still, and will always be Pearl Jam.
I know things are tough. We need music, each other and the spirit of Rock & Roll now, more than ever before.
Thanks for everything, everyone. I for one have not and will not ever forget the incredible power of the times we shared together.
Be all.
David Abbruzzese
