Dave Abbruzzese makes a comment on Pearl Jam’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction with him not being included as a member of the inducted lineup
Very recently, the list of all the artists to be inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2017 has been announced. This select club will include one of the legendary acts of the grunge era, i.e. Pearl Jam. One might think everything is fine here and be happy for the band. However, it is not the first time that this nomination turns out to be a bone of contention among past and present band members (last year, this was the case for Deep Purple).
The Pearl Jam members to be inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year are: singer Eddie Vedder, guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready, bassist Jeff Ament as well as drummers Matt Cameron (member since 1998) and Dave Krusen (played on the band’s legendary debut album titled Ten). This list doesn’t include drummer Dave Abbruzzese, who joined in 1991 and took part in the concert tour promoting the eponymus album. Later, he went on to make three more classic Pearl Jam records: MTV Unplugged and studio albums no. 2 and 3, i.e. Vs. and Vitalogy.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s representatives motivate the decision as follows: “The members of each eligible band are determined by largely who was present and active during the most influential recording years“.
It is easy to guess that Dave Abbruzzese didn’t take long to respond to the fact that his contribution to three of the most popular Pearl Jam albums, not counting he debut, hasn’t been acknowledged. He did that on his FB profile: “I’m not sure how 275+ live shows and 38% of record sales doesn’t fit their criteria.” In a press interview he stated: “The members of Pearl Jam (…) can’t justify ignoring my contributions. Like me or not. If there is still a part of that band that remembers how hard we worked, how much blood and how much sweat … They will do the right thing. (…) That band and its management have never been ones to shy away when an injustice is done. Let’s see if they still have the courage to fight the good fight!“.
What is your opinion?
(From left to right: Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Dave Abbruzzese, Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard)
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