Jimmy Chamberlin
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James Joseph "Jimmy" Chamberlin (born June 10, 1964, Joliet, Illinois) is a musician, best known as the drummer for the rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. Chamberlin's primary training was as a jazz drummer, and he played in several local outfits before joining the Smashing Pumpkins shortly after their formation in 1988.
Chamberlin had problems with substance abuse that came to a head at the peak of the Pumpkins' commercial popularity, during the 1996 tour for their album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Prior to shows scheduled at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Chamberlin and touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin used heroin in a hotel room; Melvoin overdosed and died. Because of Melvoin's death, Chamberlin was kicked out of the band, and was replaced by touring and session drummers. During this time, Chamberlin went back into rehab. In late 1996, he then joined The Last Hard Men, who featured ex-Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach. The band released only one CD.
Three years, later, in 1999, Chamberlin returned to the Smashing Pumpkins. However, the band broke up just one year later, in December 2000. He played on their last two albums, Machina and Machina II (which never came out on CD and was released for free on the internet.)
Chamberlin went on to form Zwan in 2001 with his longtime friend and creative foil, Pumpkins singer/guitarist Billy Corgan. Zwan later disbanded in 2003.
In April of 2002, Chamberlin married longtime girlfriend Lori. They have a daughter, Audrey, who was born in December of 2002.
Chamberlin later formed the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, which recorded its debut album in 2004. Band personnel included Chamberlin (drums and lyrics), Billy Mohler (bass; also of The Calling), Sean Woolstenhulme (guitar; also of Lifehouse), and Rob Dickinson (vocals; formerly of Catherine Wheel). The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex released Life Begins Again on January 25, 2005. Chamberlin also had a side project with former Dead Kennedys singer Jello Biafra.
Corgan announced at an April 2004 solo performance that he and Chamberlin intend to work together again in the future. That came true as on June 21, 2005, Corgan announced plans to reunite with the Pumpkins through a full-page advertisement in his hometown's newspaper, the Chicago Tribune. Chamberlin contacted Corgan to accept, and on February 2, 2006, MTV.com reported that he and Corgan had signed a new management deal with the Front Line Management, with a spokesperson confirming they have signed under the name "Smashing Pumpkins".[1] As of April 20th, 2006, it was officially announced on www.smashingpumpkins.com that "It's official. The Smashing Pumpkins are currently writing songs for their upcoming album, their first since 1999." [2] The site was updated on July 28 to mention that the band was in the studio. Corgan and Chamberlin are verified as members of the band, but there has been no official word on other band members at this time.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Harris, Chris (2006). Smashing Pumpkins Reunion Is Under Way, According To Sources (http). MTV.com. Retrieved on February 02, 2006.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (2006). Smashing Pumpkins Site Says 'It's Official' — Band Has Reunited (http). MTV.com. Retrieved on June 28, 2006.
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Biography
- Jimmy's Love Letters Blogs by Jimmy about the reforming of The Smashing Pumpkins
- The Smashing Pumpkins - The Smashing Pumpkins official website.
- Netphoria.org - Smashing Pumpkins Fan Site.
- Siva - Smashing Pumpkins Fan Site
- Spfc.org
