Smashing Pumpkins Sheds Chamberlin: Corgan Only Original Left

NEW YORK — Drummer Jimmy Chamberlin has left the Smashing Pumpkins.

Chamberlin's departure is posted on the Smashing Pumpkins' Web site. The announcement didn't say why the 44-year-old Chamberlin left the group.

Chamberlin joined the Grammy-winning alternative rock band in 1988 and played on all of their albums except 1998's "Adore." The band broke up in 2000 and reunited six years later with Chamberlin and frontman Billy Corgan on board.

The announcement says Corgan, who sings and plays guitar, will "continue to write and record as Smashing Pumpkins with plans to head into the studio this spring."

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On the Net:

http://www.smashingpumpkins.com

Comments

[spiderbucket]

It's not a BAND if one guy runs the whole show and replaces people like furniture. The Pumpkins are not more of a "BAND" than Guns N Roses.

[DocManhattan]

And your point is? If one man writes the music and one man plays (almost) all the instruments on the albums then doesn't that one man have the right to do whatever he wants with the name of the act? GnR in its heyday was much less of a one-man show than the Pumpkins.

[DawnK]

I'm not the biggest Billy Corgan fan but I agree with you. He did everything on those albums because 1/2 of his band was on heroin in the 90's. GnR is definitely not a one man show. If your referring to Axl Rose then you are crazy. Axl Rose didn't play Slash's guitar parts on their records or anyone else's instrument for that matter.

[spiderbucket]

I didn't say he didn't have the right to do whatever he pleases. I just said that ONE GUY IS NOT A BAND. Bands are better because they help each other filter out ideas, encourage or discourage, add to ideas, etc. It's more of a team than a dictatorship. We don't really have that in 'bands' anymore. Even the drummer would sing or write a song now and again. Look at Aerosmith - USED to be greater than the sum of their parts when ALL FIVE guys contributed. Now it's just the Joe and Steve show and is tepid.

[omobob]

Private Billy’s lonely hearts club music video.

[thewhitewitch]

at least he's consistent.

[alsm9]

Ya, this is most certaily down to Billy. I saw an interview with him and Chamberlin recently and Billy just comes across as hostile. He's so angry. That's hard to work with.

[SanityForOnce]

And Chamberlin has a long history of drug abuse. Neither personality type is easy to work with.

The majority of successful bands only last a short period of time anyway. Strong personalities can only work together as long as they share a common goal. Once success comes, they usually move on to other priorities. The group is overpowered by individual desires. Such is life.

[Patriot68]

All that talent and no people skills. Billy, don't go away mad just go away.