Pearl Jam had to cancel the final two shows of their North American tour when yet another band member tested positive for COVID-19. Previously, the band was performing in the absence of their drummer Matt Cameron, as he had also tested positive a few days earlier.
Instead, the band enlisted the help of audience members in Oakland and ended up reuniting with Dave Krusen, who’s a former drummer from Fresno.
Unfortunately, on Wednesday, the band had no choice but to cancel their last two gigs in Sacramento (May 18th, tonight) and Las Vegas (May 20th) as Pearl Jam’s bassist also tested positive this morning.
The sad news was announced on Pearl Jam’s Instagram post on Wednesday afternoon regarding the last two shows in Sacramento and Las Vegas.
“Dear PJ fans and ticket holders,” the veteran rockers wrote in a statement. “While the band battled through Oakland after drummer Matt Cameron tested positive for Covid, and Fresno, where Ed and the band got through it with the help of Dave Krusen as special guest drummer, they now have to present the heartbreaking news that this morning bassist Jeff Ament has tested positive for COVID.”
“This is horrible for everybody involved and we are especially sorry to those out there who have made plans to attend these shows,” the post continued. “Our attention to staying inside the bubble has been constant. We have truly done all that we could have to remain clear of infection. Regretfully, the Sacramento and Las Vegas shows are canceled. Ticket refunds will be automatically processed to ticket holders’ method of purchase. We are so very sorry. Be safe out there.”
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The band apologized and reassured fans on Twitter that their tickets will be refunded duly:
(4/4) Regretfully, the Sacramento and Las Vegas shows are canceled. Ticket refunds will be automatically processed to ticket holders' method of purchase. We are so very sorry. Be safe out there.
— Pearl Jam 🇺🇦 (@PearlJam) May 18, 2022
Are you bummed about missing out on the concert? Let us know when you plan on catching the legends live in action again.
The show on Thursday night in Oakland featured a performance by a 20-year-old fan, Josh Arroyo as well. He participated by playing the drums on closer “Yellow Ledbetter” whereas the former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer and Richard Stuverud positioned themselves behind the drum kit in turns.
Original band member Krusen managed to join Monday’s show in Fresco. The band played a bunch of songs from their debut album Ten which was released in 1991.
Pearl Jam is expected to be back in one month’s time from today. They’ll be kicking off their European leg of the tour on June 18th at the Netherlands’ Pinkpop Festival. After a season abroad, they’d be returning to the stateside to continue the second leg of their North American tour to show support for Gigaton. It is an arena trek that starts on September 1st in Quebec City.
At the moment, the US has over 84,692,706 active COVID-19 cases. Most of the cases originated from California. Just recently, Eric Clapton also contracted COVID-19 and had to cancel multiple shows. Other stars who shared the same history at the moment are Julianna Margulies, Kelly Ripa, Amy Schumer, Jon Batiste, Stephen Colbert, and a couple of others.
The gravity of the situation is such that the Academy Awards even issued a list of COVID precautions ahead of the Oscars to prevent more cases from arising. They also made it mandatory for all attendees to take a PCR test.
Remember, prevention is better than cure. Make sure you get yourself vaccinated by getting both doses and continue to follow the COVID-19 protocols.
