Jonathan Melvoin (December 6, 1961 – July 12, 1996) was an American musician active in the 1980s and 1990s.
He was the brother of Susannah and Wendy Melvoin of Prince and the Revolution. He first learned to play drums, and was cited by friends and relatives as one of those people who could play anything. He performed with many punk bands in the '80s such as The Dickies, and also made musical contributions to many of Wendy & Lisa projects, as well as Prince and the Revolution's album Around the World in a Day. At the time of his death he was the touring keyboardist for The Smashing Pumpkins during their worldwide tour for the album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
He died in New York City of a drug overdose involving heroin at age 34. Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, present at the scene, tried but failed to revive him. There is much mystery and speculation about what events actually took place. Chamberlin was allegedly advised by 9-1-1 operators to put Melvoin's head in the shower in an attempt to revive him until paramedics arrived. Melvoin was pronounced dead at the scene. Chamberlin was subsequently fired from the band. According to the band, there had been previous overdoses by both Melvoin and Chamberlin. Melvoin had already been fired, but was continuing to tour with The Smashing Pumpkins until the end of the tour leg. Melvoin's replacement was The Frogs' Dennis Flemion. His last gig with the Pumpkins was at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland.
The Smashing Pumpkins were not invited to Melvoin's funeral. He is survived by a wife and child. Several songs were inspired by his death, including Sarah McLachlan's hit single "Angel", the Wendy & Lisa song "Jonathan" (as Girl Bros.) and Prince's "The Love We Make" from the album Emancipation.
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