Died On This Date (July 7, 2012) Dennis Flemion / The Frogs; Smashing Pumpkins
themusicsover Dennis Flemion
June 6, 1955 – July 7, 2012
Keyboardist Dennis Flemion, along with his brother Jimmy Flemion made up the Milwaukee, Wisconsin lo-fi duo, the Frogs. Formed in 1980, the band wrote and performed short pop songs that tended to invite controversy for their lyrical themes dealing with homoerotica, race, and religion. Although they never really broke out of their cult status, that cult was very loyal and included some of rock music’s most influential figures. During the early to mid ’90s, the Frogs were invited to open for the likes of Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, and Mudhoney. Kurt Cobain was said to be a big fan as well. Flemion appeared on three Smashing Pumpkins songs from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and Adore. In 1996 and 1997, after the death of Pumpkins touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin, Flemion was invited to fill in for him on the road. On July 7, 2012, Dennis Flemion was boating with his family on Wind Lake in Racine County, Wisconsin. During the afternoon, Flemion went for a swim but never resurfaced. His body was recovered three days later in water that was 42 feet deep. He was 57.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.
What You Should Own
Mike Melvoin was a much-respected jazz pianist whose talent can be heard on countless records by some of the biggest names in music. Since 1961, Melvoin graced recordings by such luminaries as 
Jonathan Melvoin was a keyboard player who worked with such artists as the Dickies, Prince, Wendy & Lisa, and the Smashing Pumpkins. The “Wendy” of Wendy & Lisa was in fact, his sister, Wendy Melvoin. In late 1995, Melvoin joined up with Smashing Pumpkins to lend his talent while on the road to support their brilliant Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness album, but previous incidents with heroin cut his tenure short when the band fired him. It was while he was finishing up that leg of the tour that Melvoin overdosed on heroin in his hotel room. It has been reported that then-Pumpkins drummer, Jimmy Chamberlin was in the room with him and tried to revive him after calling 911. His efforts failed and Jonathan Melvoin died on July 12, 1996 at the age of 34. His death reportedly inspired a few songs, including Sarah McLachlan’s hit, “Angel.”