Jimmy Chamberlin was born June 10, 1964, in Joliet, IL. Growing up in a musical household, his father Robert, a clarinetist, introduced Jimmy to the jazz legends that remain among his favorites to this day. At any given time, passersby would hear the music of Ellington, Basie, Goodman, and Shaw wafting from their home.

At the tender age of eight, Jimmy began playing drums. After a year, he took up studies with Charlie Adams (Yanni) where he learned the fundamentals of stick control. Jimmy's brother Paul, also an accomplished drummer, was instrumental in Jimmy's approach to the drumset and in his philosophy of practicing.

At age 14, his professional career began. Jimmy took the drum chair in the legendary and prestigious Eddie Karosa's Polka Party on local Chicago television. Other gigs followed, including stints in various local rock and jazz bands and multiple session work.

In 1988, Jimmy met Billy Corgan. A musical friendship began; and the rest, as they say, is history. For 13 years, The Smashing Pumpkins was one of the most influential bands in the alternative rock scene. Along with selling over 28 million records, the band has won many other awards and accolades, including various video awards and a GRAMMY; and in 2001, Jimmy was voted Best Rock Drummer by the readers of Modern Drummer magazine.

Jimmy's calendar is now filled by Zwan, a band consisting of Billy Corgan, Matt Sweeney, David Pajo, and Paz Lenchantin. The band's debut album Mary, Star of the Sea has shown enormous potential and is proof that Jimmy has, once again, set his sights for the top.