By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
November 30, 2000
June 1991: The Smashing Pumpkins release their debut, “Gish.”
August 1993: “Siamese Dream” debuts at No. 10 on the Billboard album charts.
1994: The Pumpkins make it on the cover of the Rolling Stone in April. By December, frontman Billy Corgan is gracing the year-end issue of Spin, which also decrees the Pumpkins as the artist of the year.
1995: D’Arcy and James Iha co-found Scratchie Records in the summer. On Oct. 24, the band releases “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,” which debuts on the Billboard album chart at No. 1.
May 15, 1996: The group cancels a Sunday concert in Belfast, Northern Ireland after a young woman dies at their show the night before.
May 19, 1996: The band agrees to voice their cartoon doppelgangers for an appearance on the “Simpsons.”
July 12, 1996: Touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin is found dead from an apparent heroin overdose. Drummer Jimmy Chamberlin charged with heroin possession in New York.
July 17, 1996: The Pumpkins fire Chamberlin.
Aug. 8, 1996: The band announces that Matt Walker of Filter will replace Chamberlin on its tour. Frogs’ keyboardist Dennis Flemion will replace Melvoin.
Oct. 8, 1996: Chamberlin pleads guilty to disorderly conduct charges and agrees to undergo drug treatment.
Jan. 7, 1997: The Smashing Pumpkins are nominated for seven Grammy awards.
Feb. 26, 1997: They win one Grammy for best hard rock performance for “Bullet from Butterfly Wings.”
Feb. 10, 1998: Iha releases his critically-acclaimed debut solo album “Let It Come Down.”
Feb. 25, 1998: The band wins a Grammy for best hard rock performance for “The End is the Beginning is the End.”
May 26, 1998: Chicago city officials smashed plans for the Pumpkins to play a free concert July 7 at Grant Park.
June 2, 1998: “Adore” debuts at No. 2 on Billboard’s album chart.
Sept. 9, 1999: D’Arcy leaves the band to pursue an acting career in Hollywood. Meanwhile, a clean and sober Chamberlin has return to the group.
Jan. 25, 2000: Back in Chicago, D’Arcy is arrested after she allegedly purchased three bags of crack cocaine in West Town.
Feb. 29, 2000: “Machina/The Machines of God” released.
May 23, 2000: The band announces its breakup.
