Drummer Dave Abbruzzese claims he’s “not slamming” either his former band Pearl Jam or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for being excluded from going into the Rock Hall if and when the band is inducted next year.
He requests on his Facebook page that “the media please refrain from attempting to make a negative story out of this” and finds it “a drag that these ‘writers'” are taking his comments “out of context and using them to create a story that doesn’t exist.”
He says he understands that “there may be some flaws inherent to the balloting process” and that while he initially “reacted emotionally,” it “was based on a lack of understanding.” He says he plans to “wait patiently to watch and see how it works out.”
The Rock Hall reportedly plans only to induct original drummer Dave Krusin and current drummer Matt Cameron in the likely event that Pearl Jam gets in. Cameron, who’s been with the band since 1998, is by far the senior drummer in terms of service. Abbruzzese and Jack Irons both spent between three and four years with the band, Krusin less than two and Matt Chamberlain only a few months. (Blabbermouth.net)