The Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin turns 60 today
Renowned as the powerhouse drummer for the iconic rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, Chamberlin’s technical skill and dynamic playing have made him one of the most respected drummers in the music industry
The Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin turns 60 today
Jimmy Chamberlin was born James Joseph Chamberlin on June 10, 1964, in Joliet, Illinois. Renowned as the powerhouse drummer for the iconic rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, Chamberlin’s technical skill and dynamic playing have made him one of the most respected drummers in the music industry.
Growing up in a musical family, Chamberlin was influenced by his father, a jazz trumpeter, and his older brother Paul, a drummer. He began playing the drums at the age of nine, practicing his skills in jazz and big band music before transitioning to rock. In the mid-1980s, Chamberlin played in various local bands around the Chicago area. His diverse musical background, encompassing jazz, fusion, and rock, helped him develop a unique style that would later become a defining feature of his career.
Jimmy Chamberlin’s big break came in 1988 when he joined The Smashing Pumpkins, a band formed by Billy Corgan. His powerful and intricate drumming played a crucial role in the band’s early success. The Smashing Pumpkins released their debut album, “Gish,” in 1991, which received critical acclaim and established them as a force in the alternative rock scene.
The band’s breakthrough album, “Siamese Dream” (1993), showcased Chamberlin’s exceptional drumming on tracks like “Cherub Rock” and “Today.” His ability to blend complex rhythms with the band’s signature sound was instrumental in their rise to fame. The follow-up album, “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” (1995), was a commercial and critical triumph, solidifying Chamberlin’s reputation as one of the best drummers in rock. His performances on tracks like “1979” and “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” were widely praised.
In 1996, Chamberlin was dismissed from The Smashing Pumpkins following a drug-related incident that led to the death of touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin. He sought treatment and returned to the band in 1999, contributing to the album “Machina/The Machines of God” (2000).
After The Smashing Pumpkins disbanded in 2000, Chamberlin formed Zwan with Corgan, releasing the album “Mary Star of the Sea” in 2003. However, Zwan disbanded shortly after. Chamberlin then focused on his jazz project, the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, releasing the album “Life Begins Again” in 2005.
In 2006, The Smashing Pumpkins reformed, and Chamberlin played on their comeback album “Zeitgeist” (2007). He left the band again in 2009 to pursue other musical interests, including further work with the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex and joining the supergroup Skysaw.
Chamberlin rejoined The Smashing Pumpkins once more in 2015 and has been involved in their subsequent projects and tours. The band’s recent works, including the albums “Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun.” (2018) and “Cyr” (2020), feature Chamberlin’s signature drumming style, which continues to drive the band’s evolving sound.
He married Lori Chamberlin in 2002, and they have two children. Throughout his career, Chamberlin has been open about his struggles with addiction and his journey to recovery, using his experiences to inspire others. Today he celebrates 60.
Watch the 1993 music video “Today” by The Smashing Pumpkins
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