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Jimmy Chamberlin - still smashing, but a Pumpkin no more

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Jimmy Chamberlin, longtime drummer for The Smashing Pumpkins, has quit the Chicago-based band, leaving Billy Corgan the sole Pumpkin left.

The news was announced Friday (20 March) on the band's website in a statement which reads: "The SMASHING PUMPKINS' guitarist, singer, songwriter and founding member Billy Corgan has announced that drummer Jimmy Chamberlin has left the group.

"Chamberlin joined the band Corgan founded in Chicago in 1988 and played on all their albums except Adore (1998). Corgan will continue to write and record as SMASHING PUMPKINS with plans to head into the studio this spring."

"Why can't you people be happy with us?" Billy Corgan to a booing Chicago audience last November

Although no explanation was offered for Chamberlin's departure, The Smashing Pumpkins' last tour (marking their 20th anniversary, ironically), was beset by tension at numerous shows, with Corgan ridiculing audiences and verbally taking on individual fans from the stage.

"Why can't you people be happy with us?" said to a booing crowd last November after the band played a set devoid of hit songs. Oh, I get it - it's 'cause we don't do what you want us to do."

Looks like Billy can stop saying 'we' and start saying 'I.'