Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron and longtime friend of the late Taylor Hawkins said his quotes in a Rolling Stone article were “taken out of context”.
The rock bible published “Inside Taylor Hawkins’ Final Days as a Foo Fighter” on Monday. Reporters interviewed 20 of Hawkins’ friends for the story.
The end result focused heavily on his mental struggles and his desire to step back from the band due to his rigorous upcoming tour schedule.
Hawkins’ family and band mates Foo Fighters had declined to participate in interviews. But Cameron apparently had a lot to say about Hawkins’ state of mind before his passing.
“He had a one-on-one with Dave and, yeah, he told me he ‘couldn’t f–-king do it anymore’ – those were his words,” Cameron told Rolling Stone. “So I guess they hit it off, but it seems like the tour schedule got even crazier after that.”
Now on Tuesday, Cameron – who collaborated with Hawkins on his Nighttime Boogie Association side project – said he wishes he hadn’t been part of the story either.
“When I agreed to participate in the Rolling Stone feature on Taylor, I assumed it would be a celebration of her life and work,” he wrote on Instagram.
“My quotes were taken out of context and twisted into a narrative I never intended. Taylor was a dear friend and a next-level artist.
“I miss him,” the musician added of Hawkins, who died March 25 at the age of 50. “I have nothing but the deepest love and respect for Taylor, Dave and the Foo Fighters families.
“I am truly sorry to have participated in this interview and I apologize that my participation may have caused harm to those for whom I have nothing but the deepest respect and admiration.”
The Post has contacted Rolling Stone for comment.
A representative for the Foo Fighters had told the magazine that the group “challenged the characteristics of Hawkins’ friends about how he felt.”
