AboutJason Musgrove Expertise I`ve been a fan of The Smashing Pumpkins since 1993, and I have all the albums and U.S. CD singles. I can answer just about any question concerning the band`s beginning, how they picked their name, bios of the members, lyrics, discography, soundtracks, some personal info, and other news. I cannot answer questions about their tours.
I was wondering when the original drummer for SP died. My friend and I are big pumpkins fans and are in an arguement. He claims the drummer in the 1991-2000 DVD live version of " An Ode to No One " is the original drummer. Please help me!@!!!!!!!!!!!!......Joe
Answer Joe,
I hate to tell you this, but your friend is right. The drummer you mentioned in the video IS the original drummer.
Jimmy Chamberlin never died. In 1996, during the tour for Mellon Collie, he and touring keyboardist Jonathon Melvoin overdosed on heroin. Melvoin died, Jimmy did not. But, in light of the tragedy, Billy fired Jimmy from the Smashing Pumpkins. This is why Jimmy is absent from most of the videos from that album (with the exception of Bullet With Butterfly Wings) and the next album (Adore), with drumming duties for the tour and recording sessions being handled by a small handful of drummers, including those from Soundgarden and Filter.
Soon after Adore, Jimmy was able to kick his heroin habit and Billy was ready to have him back. He rejoined the Pumpkins for the Machina album.
He looks somewhat different than he used to, which may have been a source of confusion. He's older obviously. Being the oldest member of SP, he just turned 42 on June 10. His hair is short now, and has been since his return. Plus, hes drug free now, which is different from the rest of his Pumpkins career. ;)
