Melissa Auf Der Maur was born in Montreal, Canada to Linda Gaboriau, a DJ, and Nick Auf Der Maur, a rock journalist. She has described her father as being 'absent' in her life. She attended F.A.C.E., a performing arts school in Montreal. At school, she was active in choir, piano and trumpet before having dream about the band Kyuss that inspired her to learn how to play the bass. She joined a band called Tinker and was friends with Billy Corgan_ and when Hole's bassist Kristen Pfaff died of a heroin overdose in June 1994, Billy suggested she join Hole. She left Hole in October 1999 for the Smashing Pumpkins. She now works on photography, one of her first loves.
Former bassist with Hole. Replaced 'D'Arcy Wretzky' as bassist for The Smashing Pumpkins. Daughter of journalist Nick Auf der Maur. Quebecois French is her first language. Ranked #68 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women in Rock N Roll. Replaced Hole bassist Kristin Pfaff, after she died in 1994 of a drug overdose. A dual citizen of Canada and the United States. Has a house in Brooklyn. Is of Swiss and French descent. Spent the early years of her life in Kenya with her mother.