Jimmy Chamberlin

[MrB]

Jimmy Chamberlin






Drummer: Jimmy Chamberlin

Main Style: 1990s/2000s Alternative Rock

Secondary Styles: Progressive Rock, Jazz

Main Band: The Smashing Pumpkins

Associated Acts: Zwan, The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, Skysaw

Brief Summary: Jimmy Chamberlin was the final member to join the Chicago-based Smashing Pumpkins in 1989, chosen to fulfill a club owner's request that the act perform with a live drummer instead of a drum machine. He served two stints in the band, from 1989 to 1996 and from 1999 to 2008. He is often cited as one of the most influential and talented drummers from the 1990s alternative scene. For the majority of his career he is seen playing Yamaha drums (eventually releasing a signature snare), but has recently switched to DW.


Other Facts:

-On July 11, 1996, Jimmy Chamberlin and touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin overdosed on heroin in New York City. Melvoin did not survive, and Chamberlin was dismissed from The Smashing Pumpkins following a no-contest plea to the charges he faced. The band hired Matt Walker to finish the Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness tour. Chamberlin subsequently turned his life around, quitting drugs and smoking, and rejoined the Smashing Pumpkins sober in 1999. He continued to work with Billy Corgan in various acts for another decade.

-At one time he was involved in stock car racing.

-According to a Modern Drummer interview, he made a windfall of cash in the stock market in the mid-90s.

[Deedubs!]

Very tasteful/all around player. One of the modern greats! Plus it's cool that he plays dw now!

[catskillclimber]

Yeah, probably the drummer who influenced me the most. Love Chamberlin's playing. I strongly feel that he is overlooked and underrated.

[ty7177]

It is great that he was able to quit smoking and drinking
to return to the band

[MrB]

A few selections of the man at work. Here he is with the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqY0CDmvyc8

If you have slightly over half an hour to kill...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVn-_nWUkbY


For those not wanting to climb into this little boat and set sail on a sea of noise rock, the highlight is 17:40-19:15.

[Drumbledore]

If you're wondering one of the reasons why he's such a proficient player when it comes to technique, do any of you guys know that as a kid he studied for a while with no less than Yanni's drummer, Charlie Adams?

[slinglander]

I'm lovin' that "tribal thing" going in his solos, ala Baker. Listen to it all day...