Jimmy Chamberlin

Jimmy Chamberlin
Chamberlin in 2019
Background information
Birth name	James Joseph Chamberlin
Born	(1964-06-10) June 10, 1964 (age 60) Joliet, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock, jazz fusion
Occupation(s)	CEO (LiveOne), drummer, record producer
Instrument(s)	Drums, percussion
Years active	1980–present
Labels	Caroline, Virgin, Reprise, Sanctuary, TVT, Spitfire
Member of	The Smashing Pumpkins

James Joseph Chamberlin (born June 10, 1964) is an American drummer and record producer. Described as "one of the most powerful drummers in rock,"^[1] he is best known as the drummer for the alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. Following the 2000 breakup of the band, Chamberlin joined Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan in the supergroup Zwan and also formed his own current group, the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex.

In late 2005, Chamberlin joined Corgan in reforming Smashing Pumpkins; he eventually left the group in March 2009, though he returned again in 2015 for a summer tour, and has officially performed with the band since then. Following guitarist Jeff Schroeder's departure in October 2023, Chamberlin is the band's second-longest serving member. He also performed in the group Skysaw until 2012 and joined Chicago jazz saxophonist Frank Catalano for a string of 2013–15 performances^[2] in the Chicago area. An EP by Catalano and Chamberlin Love Supreme Collective was released on July 29, 2014.

Chamberlin originally trained as a jazz drummer, but cites jazz musicians Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Gene Krupa, and Buddy Rich, as well as rock drummers Keith Moon, Ian Paice, and John Bonham as major influences on his technique, and primarily strives for emotionally communicative playing.^[3] In 2008, Gigwise named Chamberlin the 5th best drummer of all time.^[4] In 2016, Rolling Stone ranked Jimmy Chamberlin 53 on their list of "100 Greatest Drummers Of All Time".^[5]