Billy Corgan

William Patrick "Billy" Corgan, Jr. (born March 17, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.) is an American vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter best known for his work in the now-disbanded alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. The Pumpkins were one of alternative rock's biggest acts, known for their complex layered sound, Corgan's scathing guitar and whiny vocals, and making use of elaborate and evocative fantasy imagery. The Smashing Pumpkins produced five major albums, including the widely-acclaimed and commercially successful albums Siamese Dream (1993) and the follow-up double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995).

Later works

Their next effort, 1998's Adore, was undertaken with drum machines and studio drummers in place of Chamberlin, and consisted mostly of subdued material. Corgan's mother Martha passed away from cancer during the making of the record, and in the absence of Chamberlin—Corgan's longtime creative foil—the proceedings took on a halting, confused tone. Adore earned high praise from some critics, but other critics and most fans thought the band strayed too far from its strengths.

Related Topics:
1998 - Adore

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Chamberlin was reunited with the band in 1999, bolstering its confidence but not returning it to commercial prominence. 2000 saw MACHINA/The Machines of God, a concept album on which the band deliberately played to their public image; critics were again divided. After the recording of MACHINA, bassist D'Arcy quit the band and was replaced by former Hole bassist Melissa Auf der Maur. Only 25 copies were made of the band's last album as it was recorded and released by the band and not by their label - Virgin, who had no interest in releasing another Pumpkins album. The 25 copies of MACHINA II/The Friends and Enemies of Modern Music consisted of 3 10" EPs and a Double 12" LP. These were distributed via FedEx to the chosen 25 fans, with some instructed to release the songs for free in MP3 format on the Internet as soon as possible. The Smashing Pumpkins split up later in 2000 and played their last show on December 2 of that year at the Metro in Chicago.

Related Topics:
2000 - MACHINA/The Machines of God - Hole - Melissa Auf der Maur - MACHINA II/The Friends and Enemies of Modern Music - MP3

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In 2001, Corgan formed Zwan with Chamberlin and guitarists Matt Sweeney and David Pajo, with former A Perfect Circle bassist Paz Lenchantin joining in 2002. Zwan's focus on sunny, melodic pop-rock surprised fans and critics, and its album Mary Star of the Sea (written in and inspired by Key West, Florida), garnered generally positive reviews. In March 2003, Corgan and Chamberlin performed with Jazz vocalist Kurt Elling at "The Waltz", an annual benefit for homeless and abused teenagers. Together, they performed a version of Jimi Hendrix's "Freedom". During an interview with WGN-9 on September 15 that same year, Corgan announced that Zwan had officially disbanded.

Related Topics:
2001 - Zwan - Matt Sweeney - David Pajo - A Perfect Circle - Paz Lenchantin - Mary Star of the Sea - Key West, Florida - 2003 - Kurt Elling - Jimi Hendrix's - September 15

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On February 17, 2004, Corgan posted a bitter message on his blog in which he blamed guitarist James Iha for the sudden breakup of The Smashing Pumpkins four years prior. He also referred to bassist D'arcy Wretzky as "a mean spirited drug addict." On June 3, 2004 he posted an apology of sorts to Iha, writing that "i love very, very much...the depth of my hurt is only matched by the depth of my gratitude".

Related Topics:
February 17 - 2004 - Blog - James Iha - The Smashing Pumpkins - June 3

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In another recent post, Corgan insulted his former Zwan bandmates, claiming they had been obnoxiously self-conscious about their "indie cred" to the point of hurting those around them. Poking fun at their indie stance, he called them "poseurs". Sounding both enraged and hurt, he declared them to be "filthy", opportunistic, and selfish.

Related Topics:
Zwan - Indie cred

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Even through two band break-ups, Corgan and Chamberlin remain very good friends to this day. Corgan has made a guest appearance on Chamberlin's solo album Life Begins Again under the name The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex.

Related Topics:
Life Begins Again - Jimmy Chamberlin Complex

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Corgan published Blinking with Fists, a book of poetry, in late 2004. Blinking with Fists debuted on the New York Times' Best Seller list. It was also the best-selling poetry book in the United States in its first week of release. Corgan is currently pursuing a solo career and recently released TheFutureEmbrace June 21st, 2005. In a full page ad in the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune on the same day, Corgan has revealed that he wants to reform the Smashing Pumpkins.http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0506210240jun21,1,5197990.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

Related Topics:
Blinking with Fists - 2004 - TheFutureEmbrace - June 21 - 2005 - Chicago Tribune

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Several days later, Jimmy Chamberlin accepted Billy Corgan's offer for a reunion.

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http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2005/06/2830.cfm Although Corgan has not spoken to or heard from other bandmate D'arcy in quite some time.

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In addition to performing, Corgan has produced albums for Ric Ocasek, Hole, The Frogs, and Catherine. He wrote the song "Eye" for the movie Lost Highway (1997) and has produced three soundtracks for the movies Ransom (1996), Stigmata (1999) and Spun (2002). He has performed vocals and guitar for New Order and Marianne Faithfull. Billy was also featured on Blindside's 2004 album About a Burning Fire, in the song "Hooray, It's LA". Corgan has also written a song entitled "Lost In The Woods" with Taproot (band) for their 2005 LP Blue-Sky Research.

Related Topics:
Ric Ocasek - Hole - The Frogs - Catherine - Lost Highway - Soundtrack - Ransom - Stigmata - Spun - New Order - Marianne Faithfull - Blindside - About a Burning Fire - Taproot (band) - Blue-Sky Research

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