Smashing Pumpkins Drum Out Jimmy Chamberlin

Wed., Jul. 17, 1996 5:00 PM PDT by

The Smashing Pumpkins dumped drummer Jimmy Chamberlin Wednesday, promising to finish their tour with a replacement, according to a band statement.

The announcement, issued jointly by singer/guitarist Billy Corgan, guitarist James Iha and bassist D'Arcy, comes only days after the heroin overdose of keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin. Chamberlin and Melvoin apparently shot heroin together in a New York hotel room late on the night of July 11. Both passed out. Failing to revive Melvoin, a sideman for the band, Chamberlin dialed 911. Police arrived to find the keyboardist dead. A noticeably wobbly Chamberlin, 32, was arrested, charged for possession and released on bail.

"We are very sorry to tell our friends and fans that we have decided to sever our relationship with our friend and drummer, Jimmy Chamberlin," the band said in its statement.

"This may come as a shock to some. To others not. But, to us, it is devastating. We have battled with Jimmy's struggles with the insidious disease of drug and alcohol addiction. It has nearly destroyed everything we are and stand for. We have decided to carry on without him, and we wish him the best that we have to offer," the band said.

The day after Melvoin's death, the Chicago band canceled the remaining dates on the first leg of its North American tour, scheduled to end in Louisana July 27. Now the three remaining Pumpkins say that they will immediately seek a replacement for Chamberlin and resume touring.

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