The Smashing Pumpkins

[ProfessorGAC]

4. My Pumpkins Connection

In 1978, I'm in a band. I decided I wanted to play guitar in a band, even though I'd only been playing for a couple years.
I insisted I would NOT play piano.
So, I knew some guys 16 or 17 years old (before you get creeped out, I graduated from college at 19, so I wasn't yet 21, and 2 of the guys were family friends).
Their neighbor played keys, another one played bass, and 3 guitars. We were on our 3rd drummer in a year when we get a call from a kid asking if he could audition.
His mom drops him off at the bass player's house, and he sets up.
I put a record on the turntable and played Boz Scaggs' Lowdown. About 30 seconds & this 14 year old kud Saud "I think I've got it."
We start playing the song & the kid is a STUD! Way better than the other 2 drummers who were 17 & 18.
That kid was Jimmy Chamberlin.
He wanted in. When his mom came to get him, I talked to her. She was put at ease that I was a college graduate with a professional job, and not some low-life slacker preying on kids. So, she agreed to let him join.
He left after a year to join a hard rock band.
Later, I became pals with his older brother who is a couple years older than me.
I saw the Pumpkins several times in their formative years.
I'm not a fan of Billy, so I didn't stay connected with them.