Billy Corgan
Billy Corgan
William Patrick "Billy" Corgan Jr. is an American musician, songwriter, producer, television writer, poet, and professional wrestling promoter best known as the lead singer, guitarist, and sole permanent member of The Smashing Pumpkins. Formed by Corgan and guitarist James Iha in Chicago, Illinois, in 1987, the band quickly gained steam with the addition of bassist D'arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. The band's direction has largely been driven by Corgan through his confessional lyrics, grandiose production values, and virtuosic musical...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionRock Singer
Date of Birth17 March 1967
CityElk Grove Village, IL
CountryUnited States of America
We had a wonderful time with this kind of grunge awareness, where suddenly rock was cool again. People wanted to head loud guitars. It was a great time, and I'm glad we were there. But the gimmick part has worn off.
For someone who's had the level of success I've had, there's been very little critical review of my work, which is pretty fascinating.
I had concussions as a kid playing football and basketball, and know what it feels like and to have someone say 'Just rub some dirt on it, and get back in there.'
That's the great thing about rock n' roll: the myth is ultimately more important than the reality. And that's what you learn - you just learn to go with the mythology.
Indie world won't have me, and mainstream world treats me like an alien, but here I am still floating between these two worlds.
Sometimes people just like being around each other, and good things come out of that.
Don't judge yourself by someone else's standards. You will always lose
I'm attacking the pomposity that says this is more valuable than that. I'm sick of that.
If I have resistance to something, it means there's something wrong. The resistance to me is a sign of fear.
I was part of a generation that changed the world, and it was taken over by posers.
We need to get back to a level of social responsibility that we haven't seen for a long time.
Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in the cage.
Everybody can close their eyes, picture a dream house or a perfect place [where] they'd like to have a picnic. But actually creating it - how do you create something from nothing? Anyone who's creative understands that that's the magic, that's the alchemy.
Most great records really start with the drums.