Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlain, a founding member of the band and guitarist Billy Corgan's right-hand man in the short-lived Zwan, has left the Pumpkins, according to the band's website.
There has been some conjecture out there regarding Chamberlain's departure, including the drummer's influence on the band's new material, which was largely ignored by concertgoers on the most recent Pumpkins tour. We're not buying it. If there's one thing we've learned over the years, is that an egomaniac like Corgan was not going to let anyone influence his music. Not Chamberlain, not anyone. Chamberlain's contribution was his distinctive drumming, which was an integral part of the band's sound. (He's on every single one of the Pumpkins albums except 1998's Adore.) That's why Corgan brought him back into the fold, even after firing him for his once heavy drug use and its collateral damage. (Jonathan Melvoin, RIP.)
Without Chamberlain, Corgan should finally lay the Pumpkins to rest. To replace him and continue using the name would be a huge mistake. Yes, we know: what about Robert Smith, or Axl Rose, for that matter? Well the former is a different situation altogether; and as for the latter, do we really need to rehash the loss of the Appetite for Destruction-era lineup?
Let it go, Billy.
