Billy Corgan

William Patrick Corgan Jr. (born March 17, 1967) is an American guitarist and songwriter, and professional wrestling promoter. He is best known as the co-founder, lead guitarist, primary songwriter, singer, and only constant member of alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. Corgan is credited with helping popularize the alternative rock genre. He has also been the owner and promoter of the National Wrestling Alliance since 2017.

Corgan formed the Smashing Pumpkins in Chicago in 1988 alongside guitarist James Iha, with bassist D'arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin joining soon after. Strong album sales and large-scale tours propelled the band to commercial success and critical acclaim throughout the 1990s. After their break-up in 2000, Corgan and Chamberlin started a new band called Zwan; after the band's demise, he released the collection of poetry Blinking with Fists (2004) and the solo album TheFutureEmbrace (2005) before reforming Smashing Pumpkins in 2007. The new version of the band, consisting of Corgan and a revolving lineup, has released new albums and toured extensively. In October 2017, Corgan released Ogilala, his first solo album in over a decade.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His latest solo album, Cotillions, was released in 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Corgan co-founded Resistance Pro Wrestling in 2011. He joined TNA Wrestling in 2015 and became its president in 2016, but left a few months later. He purchased the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 2017; thereafter, Corgan made it his primary focus in professional wrestling.

Early life

William Patrick Corgan Jr.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> was born at Columbus Hospital in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago on March 17, 1967,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="allmusic-bio">Template:Cite web</ref> the oldest child of Martha Louise Maes Corgan Lutz (1947–1996) and guitarist William Dale Corgan (1947–2021).<ref name=":0" /> He grew up Catholic and has a younger brother.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His parents divorced in 1970.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Billy said he went to live with his great-grandmother, and then his grandmother. Next he and his brother went to live with his father and new wife (a flight attendant whom his father had remarried) in Glendale Heights, Illinois, a Chicago suburb 22 miles west of the city.<ref name="suntimes_derogatis">Template:Cite web</ref> His father was a musician and was often away; when Billy was nine his father and stepmother (whom Billy considers to be his mother) split. Billy grew up an hour away from both of his natural parents.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Billy alleges that his father was abusive to him, both physically and emotionally.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He developed a protective bond with his younger paternal half-brother, Jesse, who had special needs as a child.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> When Billy's father and stepmother separated, all three boys lived alone with their stepmother.<ref name="howard">Template:Cite web</ref> Billy said his father was a "drug dealing, gun-toting musician [and] mad man". Although William Corgan Sr. negatively impacted his son's childhood, Corgan said he came to have tremendous respect for his father's musicianship.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Corgan, who grew much faster than his fellow students, was a strong athlete in elementary school.<ref name="limb">Template:Cite news</ref> In addition to being a member of his baseball team at Marquardt Middle School, he amassed over 10,000 baseball cards and listened to every Chicago Cubs game on the radio.<ref name="limb" /> However, by the time he began attending Glenbard North High School, his athletic prowess had greatly diminished. He decided to start playing guitar after seeing a Flying V when he went over to a friend's house.<ref name="limb" />

Corgan gave his savings to his father, who bought him a used Les Paul knock-off.<ref name="limb" /> His father encouraged him to listen to Jeff Beck and Jimi Hendrix but offered little other support, so Corgan taught himself.<ref name="howard" /> His musical interests in high school included hard rock music like Guts-era John Cale, heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath, and mainstream rock like Van Halen, Queen, Boston, ELO, Rush, and Cheap Trick. Corgan discovered the alternative rock genre by listening to Bauhaus and the Cure.<ref>DeRogatis, pg. 76</ref> He performed in a string of bands in high school and graduated as an honor student. Despite grant and scholarship offers from a number of schools, and a tuition fund left by his grandmother,<ref name="fricke">Template:Cite web</ref> Corgan decided to pursue music full-time.<ref name="eddy">Template:Cite web</ref>

Music career

1985–1987: Early career

Not finding the Chicago music scene to his liking, Corgan moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1985 with his first major band, The Marked (named for the conspicuous birthmarks of both Corgan and drummer Ron Roesing). Not finding success in St. Petersburg, the band dissolved; Corgan moved back to Chicago and lived with his father. From 1987 to 1988, he played guitar in Chicago band Deep Blue Dream, which also featured future Static-X frontman Wayne Static.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He left the band to focus on the Smashing Pumpkins.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

1988–2000: The Smashing Pumpkins

Template:Main Upon his return to Chicago, Corgan had already devised his next project – a band that would be called the Smashing Pumpkins.<ref name="view">Corgan, Billy. Interview. Vieuphoria.</ref> Corgan met guitarist James Iha while working in a record store, and the two began recording demos, which Corgan describes as "gloomy little goth-pop records".<ref name="view"/> He met bassist D'arcy Wretzky after a local show, arguing with her about a band that had just played, the Dan Reed Network. Soon after, the Smashing Pumpkins were formed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The trio began to play together at local clubs with a drum machine for percussion. To secure a show at the Metro in Chicago, the band recruited drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, and played for the first time as a quartet on October 5, 1988.

Corgan in 1992

The addition of Chamberlin drove the band in a heavier direction almost immediately.<ref name="view"/> On the band's debut album, Gish (1991), the band integrated psychedelic rock and heavy metal into their sound. Gish fared better than expected, but the follow-up, Siamese Dream, released on Virgin Records in 1993, became a multi-platinum hit. The band became known for internal drama during this period, with Corgan frequently characterized in the music press as a "control freak" due to rumors that he played all the guitar and bass parts on Siamese Dream (a rumor that Corgan later confirmed as true). Despite this, the album was well received by critics, and the songs "Today", "Cherub Rock", and "Disarm" became hits.

The band's 1995 follow-up effort, the double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, was even more successful, spawning a string of hit singles. According to Jon Pareles from The New York Times, Corgan wanted to "lose himself and find himselfTemplate:Nbsp..." in this album.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The album was nominated for seven Grammy awards that year, and would eventually be certified ten times platinum in the United States. The song "1979" was Corgan's biggest hit to date, reaching No. 1 on Billboard's modern rock and mainstream rock charts. Their appearance on Saturday Night Live on November 11, 1995, to promote this material (their second appearance on the show overall) was also the television debut appearance of Corgan's shaved head, which he has maintained consistently since.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On July 12, 1996, touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin died in a Manhattan hotel room of a heroin overdose after he and Chamberlin used the drug together.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Chamberlin was later arrested on a misdemeanor drug possession charge.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Smashing Pumpkins made the decision to fire Chamberlin and continue as a trio.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> This shakeup, coupled with Corgan going through a divorce and the death of his mother, influenced the somber mood of the band's next album, 1998's Adore. Featuring a darker, more subdued and heavily electronic sound at a time when alternative rock was declining in mainstream cachet, Adore divided both critics and fans, resulting in a significant decrease in album sales (it sold 1.3 million in the US).<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Corgan performing in 1997

Chamberlin was reunited with the band in 1999. In 2000, they released Machina/The Machines of God, a concept album on which the band deliberately played to their public image. Critics were again divided, and sales were lower than before; Machina is the second lowest-selling commercially released Smashing Pumpkins album to date, with U.S. sales of 583,000 units up to 2005.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> During the recording for Machina, Wretzky quit the band and was replaced for the upcoming tour by former Hole bassist Melissa Auf der Maur. In 2000 the band released Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music free over the Internet and broke up at the end of the year, playing their last show on December 2, 2000, at the Cabaret Metro.

2001–2005: Zwan and solo career

Following a brief stint touring with New Order in the summer,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Corgan reunited with Chamberlin to form the band Zwan with Corgan's old friend Matt Sweeney in late 2001.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The lineup was completed with guitarist David Pajo and bassist Paz Lenchantin. The band had two distinct incarnations, the primary approach being an upbeat rock band with a three-guitar-driven sound, the second, a folk and gospel inspired acoustic side with live strings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The quintet performed throughout 2002, and their debut album, Mary Star of the Sea, was released in early 2003 to generally positive reviews.<ref>Mary Star of the Sea on Metacritic Template:Webarchive. Metacritic.com. January 28, 2003.</ref> In the midst of their supporting tour for the album, mounting conflict between Corgan and Chamberlin and the other band members led to the cancellation of the rest of the tour as the band entered an apparent hiatus, formally breaking up in September 2003.<ref>Dansby, Andrew. "Zwan Cancels European Tour Template:Webarchive". RollingStone.com. June 13, 2003. Template:Usurped.</ref><ref name="Corgan, Billy">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Kot, Greg. "Billy Corgan comes clean, starts over Template:Webarchive". Chicago Tribune, April 24, 2005. Retrieved September 10, 2007.</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In 2004, Corgan began writing revealing autobiographical posts on his website and his MySpace page under the title The Confessions of Billy Corgan, discussing subjects from his troubled childhood, failed marriage, and dynamics behind the breakups of both his prior bands. He commented that the Smashing Pumpkins endured the departure of Wretzky, who he called "a mean spirited drug addict", only to break up in 2000 largely because of Iha's desire to leave the group.<ref name="Corgan, Billy"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Corgan called his former Zwan bandmates Sweeney, Pajo and Lenchantin "dirty, filthy people who have no self-respect or class...never have I met such creatures who feel so entitled to all yet contribute so little, not only to my life but the culture and the world in general...the world is on the brink of wars and mass terror, and their main concern is whether or not their indy friends still like them."<ref name="confessions2"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In late 2004, Corgan published Blinking with Fists, a book of poetry. Despite mixed reviews, the book debuted on The New York Times Best Seller List.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He had made his debut as a poet on September 17, 2003, presenting at the Art Institute of Chicago's Rubloff Auditorium.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Also in 2004, he began a solo music career, landing on an electronic/shoegaze/alternative rock sound for his first solo album, TheFutureEmbrace, co-produced and arranged by Bon Harris of Nitzer Ebb. Released on June 21, 2005, through Reprise Records, it garnered mixed reviews from the press and only sold 69,000 copies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Corgan toured behind his solo album with a touring band that included Linda Strawberry, Brian Liesegang and Matt Walker in 2005. This tour was not as extensive as previous Smashing Pumpkins or Zwan tours.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The tour was also controversial in Australia, with Corgan antagonising the audience and storming off the stage when Smashing Pumpkins songs were yelled out as requests.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Prior to recording TheFutureEmbrace, Corgan had recorded some 72 songs inspired by Chicago history for the largely acoustic ChicagoSongs project, which have yet to be released.<ref name="newspaper"/>

2005–present: The Smashing Pumpkins revival

In 2005, Corgan took out a full-page ad in Chicago's two major newspapers (Chicago Tribune and The Chicago Sun-Times) revealing his desire to re-form the Smashing Pumpkins.<ref name="newspaper">Corgan, Billy. "Template:Usurped." Published in Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune on June 21, 2005.</ref> Several days later, Jimmy Chamberlin accepted Corgan's offer for a reunion.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On April 20, 2006, the band's official website confirmed that the group was reuniting.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The re-formed Smashing Pumpkins went into studio for much of 2006 and early 2007, and performed its first show in seven years on May 22, 2007, with new members Ginger Pooley (bass) and Jeff Schroeder (guitar) replacing Wretzky and Iha. The new album, titled Zeitgeist, was released in the United States on July 10, 2007, and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts. Corgan and the rest of the Pumpkins toured extensively throughout 2007 and 2008, also releasing the EP American Gothic and the singles "G.L.O.W." and "Superchrist". Chamberlin left the band in March 2009, and Corgan chose to continue under the name.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In summer 2009, Corgan formed the band Spirits in the Sky to play a tribute concert to the late Sky Saxon of the Seeds. He toured with the band, composed of ex-Catherine member and "Superchrist" producer Kerry Brown, the Electric Prunes bassist Mark Tulin, Strawberry Alarm Clock keyboardist Mark Weitz, frequent Corgan collaborator Linda Strawberry, flautist Kevin Dippold, "Superchrist" violinist Ysanne Spevack, saxist Justin Norman, new Pumpkins drummer Mike Byrne, and Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro, playing covers and new Pumpkins material at several clubs in California.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At the end of the tour, Corgan, Byrne, Tulin, and Brown headed back to Chicago to begin work on the new Smashing Pumpkins album, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> The lineup at the time which included new bassist Nicole Fiorentino, toured through much of 2010, then spent 2011 recording the "album-within-an-album" Oceania and mounting tours of the United States and Europe. However, Byrne and Fiorentino would later leave the band in 2014.

On May 15, 2014, Corgan released AEGEA, a new solo record of experimental recordings he made in 2007.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Limited to 250 vinyl copies, the album was mostly sold online, with a few copies sold at Madame Zuzu's, a tea house he owns and operates in Highland Park, a suburb northwest of Chicago.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On July 25, 2014, Corgan also released the tapes from his "Siddhartha" show from March 2014, much in the vein of AEGEA. The set was expectedTemplate:Clarify to contain between 5 and 6 discs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During the summer 2014, he recorded the Smashing Pumpkins's ninth studio album, Monuments to an Elegy, with Tommy Lee and Jeff Schroeder. The album was released in early December 2014.<ref name="stereogum_interview">Template:Cite web</ref>

In October 2017, he released a new solo album titled Ogilala.<ref name="ogilala">Template:Cite web</ref>

Corgan performing in 2019

In July 2018, the Smashing Pumpkins embarked on a reunion tour, the Shiny and Oh So Bright Tour, with a focus on performing material from their first five studio albums.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The lineup consists of himself, James Iha, Jimmy Chamberlin, and Jeff Schroeder. Former bassist D'arcy Wretzky was not a part of the lineup, reportedly due to unresolved tension between her and Corgan. Wretzky has stated that Corgan offered her a contract but later retracted the offer, saying that "we also have to balance the forces at play... there is no room for error."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After Wretzky released text messages between her and Corgan,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> a feud ensued, with each party attacking each other with biting remarks.

On November 22, 2019, Corgan released his third solo album Cotillions, which he called "a labor of love". He also said, "This is absolutely an album from my heart."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On July 14, 2022, he and his partner, Chloe Mendel, announced that they would host a livestream charity show on July 27 to benefit the victims of the July 4 Highland Park, Illinois, shooting.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Professional wrestling promoter

Resistance Pro Wrestling (2011–2014)

In 2011, Corgan formed a Chicago-based independent wrestling promotion called Resistance Pro.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Two years later, in 2013, he starred in a commercial for Walter E. Smithe Furniture, using the platform to promote his wrestling company.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In March 2014, it was reported that Corgan was in discussions with American television channel AMC to develop an unscripted reality series about Resistance Pro.<ref name="HP">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Variety">Template:Cite web</ref> The premise being a behind-the-scenes look at the promotion as Corgan "takes over creative direction for the independent wrestling company". The show was given the green light by AMC, under the working title of "Untitled Billy Corgan Wrestling Project," the same month.<ref name="RTT">Template:Cite web</ref>

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2015–2016)

In April 2015, Corgan became the new Senior Producer of Creative and Talent Development for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where his role was to "develop characters and create story lines", which he has called "a dream come true".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In August 2016, Corgan took over as the promotion's new president.

In November 2016, Corgan had left TNA after disputes about not being paid on time, and subsequently, Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp and Impact Ventures, parent company of TNA Impact Wrestling, provided a credit facility to TNA to fund operations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2016, he loaned money to Anthem Sports & Entertainment to fund TNA, and they promised to pay him back.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Unreliable source? On November 11, Corgan and Anthem signed a settlement, with Anthem repaying TNA's loan from Corgan.Template:Citation needed

Newly appointed TNA/Impact Wrestling President Ed Nordholm credits the invention of and the vision behind the Matt Hardy Broken gimmick to Jeremy Borash, David Lagana and Billy Corgan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

National Wrestling Alliance (2017–present)

In May 2017, Corgan purchased the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), including its name, rights, trademarks and championship belts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Corgan's ownership took effect on October 1, 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

Mental health

For much of his life, Corgan has struggled with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, self-harm, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and suicidal ideation.<ref name="half of us">Template:Cite video</ref> He attributes these problems to the abuse he endured as a child at the hands of his father and stepmother, as well as other personal issues.<ref name="half of us"/> He has since become an advocate for abuse support networks.<ref name="half of us"/>

Involvement with sports

Corgan is an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs; he was also an occasional commentator on the team for late WXRT DJ Lin Brehmer.<ref>Maller, Ben. "Chicago rocker Billy Corgan covers Cubs Template:Webarchive." Ben Maller. June 29, 2004.</ref> He has appeared at many Cubs games, occasionally throwing the ceremonial first pitch or singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". He is also a fan of the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bears, and became personal friends with Dennis Rodman and Chris Chelios.<ref name="howard"/><ref>[1] Template:Webarchive</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He is an avid professional wrestling fan,<ref>"Billy Corgan is Ready to Rumble." Spin Magazine. April 4, 2000.</ref> and appeared at an ECW event wielding an acoustic guitar as a weapon.<ref>Template:YouTube Template:Cite web</ref> In 2008, the Pumpkins song "Doomsday Clock" was used by ROH for promotional videos.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> On April 26, 2010, Corgan appeared on the SIRIUS Satellite Radio program Right After Wrestling with Arda Ocal to discuss his love for wrestling and the importance of unique theme songs for characters. On August 26, 2010, he took part in a storyline with AAA during a concert for MTV World Stage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As far as other entertainment, Corgan once commented that all he watches on TV are "sports and the Three Stooges".<ref name="Listessa">Template:Cite web</ref> In March 2008, he was spotted in the crowd at the final day of a cricket test match between New Zealand and England.

Spiritual beliefs

Corgan accepts some elements of Catholicism, Buddhism, and Ken Wilber's spiritual ideas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2009, he launched Everything From Here to There, an interfaith website that is devoted to "Mind-Body-Soul" integration. He mentions praying each morning and night to be able to see through Jesus Christ's eyes and feel with his heart.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Usurped</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> An analysis of the symbolism of Corgan's lyrics considered the blend of beliefs he has cited in various interviews, which include ideas about religion, multiple dimensions, and psychic phenomena.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In an interview on the Howard Stern Show, Corgan said he had an encounter with a person who had the ability to shapeshift.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Family and romantic relationships

Corgan's mother Martha died in December 1996. The song "For Martha", from Adore, was written in her memory. In the early 2000s Corgan named his label Martha's Music after her as well. A picture of Martha as a young girl sitting on a fake moon at Riverview Park is featured on the flipside of the Siamese Dream booklet.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1991, Corgan briefly dated musician and actress Courtney Love.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In an interview on The Howard Stern Show, Corgan confessed that he arranged for Love's band to stay in his Chicago apartment in order to meet her, an encounter he had longed for after seeing her photograph on the back of Hole's new single.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Their relationship ended on October 12, 1991, when Love found out that Corgan had another relationship.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In 1993, Corgan married art conservator and artist Chris Fabian, his longtime on-again, off-again girlfriend. They were married at a small ceremony at his house in Wrigleyville.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Corgan and Fabian separated in late 1995. Corgan filed for divorce in December 1996 on grounds of "irreconcilable differences,"<ref>Chicago Tribune article: "GAMES INSPIRE OLYMPIC-SIZE DOLLAR FORECAST."</ref> and the divorce was granted in 1997. Corgan refused to discuss the marriage for years,<ref name="spin96">Template:Cite magazine</ref> only allowing that it was "unhappy."<ref>Template:Cite interviewTemplate:Cbignore</ref> In 2005 he described the circumstances of his marriage in depth via his personal blog.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In late 1995,<ref name="howard"/> Corgan started dating Ukrainian photographer Yelena Yemchuk, who later contributed to several Smashing Pumpkins videos and album art. He continued to date Yemchuk until around 2004. According to Corgan, his breakup with her contributed to the themes of his 2005 solo release TheFutureEmbrace.<ref>Template:YouTube Template:Cite web</ref> In 2005, Corgan dated musician Emilie Autumn for a number of months. The pair collaborated on multiple occasions during this time, with Autumn providing vocals and violin on his solo album and costume for a supporting music video.

In early 2006, Corgan moved in with Love and her daughter Frances Bean Cobain. According to Love, he had his own wing in her Hollywood Hills mansion.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Two years later, Love criticized him publicly over his alleged refusal to attend her daughter's sweet 16 party.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After they parted ways, Corgan stated in a March 2010 interview, "I have no interest in supporting [Love] in any way, shape or form. You can't throw enough things down the abyss with a person like that." Shortly after, when her band's album Nobody's Daughter was released, Corgan used Twitter to post anger-filled rants against her in reference to two songs he had written, "Samantha" and "How Dirty Girls Get Clean", which ended up on the album without his permission. Love then wrote an apology to him on her Facebook account, but the feud continued. Corgan took to Twitter to rant against her again. She responded to him on Twitter, saying, "All i am is nice about you so if you wanna be mean be mean i don't feel anything. i have too much to feel dear."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2008, he blamed his dedication to music for what he called "a bad marriage and seven bad girlfriends in a row".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The two eventually reconciled, and Love was invited to perform at Smashing Pumpkins 30th Anniversary Show.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 2020, Corgan told the Los Angeles Times that only a few people really matter to him and that Courtney is one of them, describing their relationship as a family bond.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2009, Corgan was linked with pop star Jessica Simpson.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He started dating Australian singer Jessica Origliasso in 2010, and remained in a relationship with her until early June 2012. Origliasso blamed their split on their careers forcing them to spend too much time apart.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite interview</ref>

He has been in a relationship with Chloe Mendel since 2013. He announced their marriage on September 17, 2023, during the 30th anniversary Siamese Dream show at Madame Zuzu's. They had wed the day before, on September 16. They have three children together, a son: Augustus Juppiter, born November 16, 2015, and two daughters: Philomena Clementine, born October 2, 2018, and Juno Delphine, born on March 18, 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On December 19, 2021, Corgan's father, William Dale Corgan, died at age 74.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>

Political beliefs

In 1998, Corgan said that he had not participated in an election since 1992, when he voted for Bill Clinton.<ref name="spin-talks">Template:Cite news</ref> After the election of Barack Obama in 2008, Corgan said, "I'm very proud of my country right now for doing the right thing."<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> He has since said that he was disappointed with Obama's presidency, and that he lacks faith in both major political parties.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2009, he posted a transcript of a webcast by political activist Lyndon LaRouche to the official Smashing Pumpkins forum.<ref name="salon.com">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On March 10, 2009, Corgan testified in front of Congress on behalf of the musicFIRST Coalition. He spoke in favor of H.R. 848, the Performance Rights Act, which gives musicians and artists their share of compensation when their music is played on radio stations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In an interview with radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones in 2016, Corgan voiced discontent with "social justice warriors", comparing them to Maoists, cult members, and the Ku Klux Klan, and calling their actions a threat to freedom of speech.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 2018, he called himself a "free-market libertarian capitalist".<ref name=spin-talks />

Diet

Corgan adopted a pescetarian diet in 2013,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and stated in 2017 that he had begun following a vegan and gluten-free diet.<ref>Documentary Thirty Days</ref> In 2012, he opened a Madame Zuzu's Tea House in the Ravinia neighborhood of Highland Park;<ref>Bendersky, Ari. "Billy Corgan Opening 1930s Chinese-style Tea House this Spring in Highland Park"</ref> the tea house closed in 2018 and reopened in a bigger space in downtown Highland Park in 2020.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web. Eater.com. December 29, 2011.</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Collaborations

Corgan (right) performing with Mark Tulin of The Electric Prunes at a benefit concert for Sky Saxon

In addition to performing, Corgan has produced albums for Ric Ocasek, the Frogs, and Catherine. He shared songwriting credit on several songs on Hole's 1998 album Celebrity Skin; the title track became Corgan's second No. 1 modern rock hit. He also acted as a consultant for Marilyn Manson during the recording of the album Mechanical Animals. He has produced three soundtracks for the movies Ransom (1996), Stigmata (1999) and Spun (2002) in which he appeared as a doctor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Corgan appeared at the 1996 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony to induct one of his biggest musical influences, Pink Floyd. He played acoustic guitar during the ceremony with Pink Floyd, when they performed their song "Wish You Were Here".

In particular, Corgan guided and collaborated with three bands in the 2000s—Breaking Benjamin (during sessions for 2004's We Are Not Alone), Taproot (for Blue-Sky Research, 2005), and Sky Saxon.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2010, Corgan claimed co-writing credit (with ex-girlfriend Courtney Love) on at least two of the songs on Hole's final album Nobody's Daughter and tried to assert a right of approval before the album could be released. Corgan had helped develop the album during its early stages. The album was released without the writing controversy ever being litigated or publicly resolved.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Corgan appeared as a guest vocalist on the song "Loki Cat" on Jimmy Chamberlin's first solo album, Life Begins Again, and Chamberlin played drums for the song "DIA" on Corgan's solo debut, where Robert Smith from the Cure teamed up with Corgan to do a cover of the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody". In 2007, Corgan provided vocals on the Scorpions' song "The Cross", on their album Humanity: Hour I.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2010 Corgan featured on Ray Davies' album See My Friends on the album's closer, a mash-up of the Kinks songs "All Day and All of the Night" and "Destroyer". He also contributed his guitar work on "Did You Miss Me" by the Veronicas. Corgan has also collaborated with Tony Iommi, Blindside, David Bowie (singing "All the Young Dudes" with Bowie at Bowie's 50th birthday party), New Order and Marianne Faithfull.

Musical style and influences

When asked in a 1994 Rolling Stone interview about his influences, Corgan replied:

Corgan wrote six articles for Guitar World in 1995, and his solos for "Cherub Rock" and "Geek U.S.A." were included on their list of the top guitar solos of all time. AllMusic said "Starla" "proves that Corgan was one of the finest (and most underrated) rock guitarists of the '90s",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> while Rolling Stone called him and his Smashing Pumpkins bandmates "ruthless virtuosos". His solo for "Soma" was No. 24 on Rolling StoneTemplate:'s list of the top guitar solos.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He is a fan of Eddie Van Halen and interviewed him in 1996 for Guitar World. Other guitarists Corgan rates highly include Uli Jon Roth,<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Tony Iommi, Ritchie Blackmore, Leslie West, Dimebag Darrell and Robin Trower.<ref name="uguitar">Template:Cite web</ref>

His bass playing, which has featured on nearly every Smashing Pumpkins album, was influenced by post-punk figures like Peter Hook and Simon Gallup.<ref>[2] Template:Webarchive</ref>

Corgan has praised Radiohead, saying "if they're not the best band in the world, then they're one of the best". He is also a fan of Pantera and appeared briefly in their home video 3 Watch It Go.<ref>Interview: Billy Corgan. INSite Magazine. May 14, 2000.</ref> Other favorites include Depeche Mode,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Siouxsie and the Banshees,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Rush, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Slayer, Queen, Electric Light Orchestra, Dinosaur Jr., My Bloody Valentine,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> and Spiritualized.<ref name="Listessa"/> Corgan stated in 1997 that upon hearing the U2 song "New Year's Day", at 16, "[U2] quickly became the most important band in the world to me."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Corgan particularly went out of his way to praise Rush in his interview for Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage, a documentary on the band, where he criticized mainstream reviewers for consciously marginalizing the band and their influence, and highlighted the fact that many of his musical peers were influenced by Rush.

He has listed his artistic influences as William S. Burroughs, Pablo Picasso, Jimi Hendrix, Jack Kerouac, and Philip K. Dick.<ref name="Listessa"/><ref>Corgan, Billy. Template:Usurped. October 3, 2011.</ref>

Instruments

Corgan performing in 2007

During the Gish-Siamese Dream era, Corgan played a customized '57 Reissue Fender Stratocaster equipped with three Fender Lace Sensor pickups (the Lace Sensor Blue in the neck position, the Lace Sensor Silver in the middle position, and the Lace Sensor Red at the bridge position). It also has a five-position pickup selector switch which he installed himself. This battered Strat became his number one guitar by default. He owned a '74 Strat that was stolen shortly after Gish was completed. Corgan was reunited with this guitar in early 2019.<ref>Template:CitationTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Corgan also used a wide variety of guitars on Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. On "Where Boys Fear to Tread", Corgan used a Les Paul Junior Reissue, and on "Tonight Tonight" he used a '72 Gibson ES-335. He is also known to use a '74 Strat which has since been painted baby blue. That guitar was used on the recordings for "Bullet with Butterfly Wings" and also "Muzzle", because the heavier wood gave it the basic Strat sound with a bit more bottom. During the recording and tour of the album Zeitgeist, he used a Schecter C-1 EX baritone, finished in black with Tony Iommi signature pickups. Corgan endorsed Reverend Guitars in his Zwan era, most notably playing a Reverend Slingshot.

In 2008, Corgan released to the market his own Fender Stratocaster.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This new guitar was made to Corgan's exact specs to create his famous mid-'90s buzzsaw tone; the instrument features three DiMarzio pickups (two custom for this instrument), a string-through hardtail bridge and a satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> When playing live, he uses both his signature Strats as well as two other Fender Strats, one in red with a white pick guard and one in silver-grey with a black pick guard; a Gibson Tony Iommi signature SG; and his Schecter C-1 (only used on the Zeitgeist song "United States").

A video called 'Stompland' on the official Smashing Pumpkins YouTube channel is informative about Corgan's choice of effects pedals. In the video he reveals an extensive collection of pedals used throughout his career with the Smashing Pumpkins. Corgan's tone is often characterized by his use of fuzz pedals, particularly vintage versions of the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff<ref name=Stompland>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

In 2016, Reverend Guitars released the BC-1 Billy Corgan signature guitar featuring Railhammer Billy Corgan signature pickups.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Reverend Billy Corgan Signature Terz was launched at the 2018 NAMM Show—an electric version of a 19th-century instrument that is played as if the guitar is capoed at the third fret, and tuned G-g standard. Corgan often uses the capo at the third fret and asked for a higher-register guitar.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Corgan is noted for having used Marshall and Diezel amps. He has also used modular preamps based on many different amps in conjunction with Mesa Boogie poweramps. The preamps were custom built by Salvation Mods.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In August 2017, he sold a large collection of instruments and gear used throughout his career via music gear website Reverb.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In 2020, Billy Corgan collaborated with Brian Carstens of Carstens Amplification to produce Grace, Corgan's first and only signature guitar amplifier to date.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Discography

Albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions										Sales
		US <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	AUS <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	FRA <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	GER <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	JPN <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	NLD <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	NZ <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	SWE <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	SWI <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	UK <ref name="uk">Template:Cite web</ref>
TheFutureEmbrace	Released: June 21, 2005 Label: Reprise Formats: CD, digital download	31	24	73	67	49	77	25	45	82	89	US: 69,000<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Aegea	Released: May 5, 2014 Label: Martha's Music Formats: LP	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Ogilala	Released: October 13, 2017 Label: Martha's Music/BMG Formats: CD, digital download, LP	183	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	86	—
Cotillions	Released: November 22, 2019 Label: Martha's Music Formats: CD, digital download, LP	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"–" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		UK <ref name="uk"/>
"Walking Shade"	2005	74	TheFutureEmbrace
"Aeronaut"	2017	—	Ogilala
"The Spaniards"		—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

List of singles, with selected chart positions

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		US Main. Rock <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
"Take Shape" (with Code Orange)	2023	35	The Above
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Soundtrack work

• 1996: Ransom
• 1997: First Love, Last Rites ("When I Was Born, I Was Bored")
• 1999: Stigmata
• 2000: Any Given Sunday (Corgan is credited on "Be A Man" by Hole)
• 2002: Spun (Corgan wrote original songs for this soundtrack)
• 2006: "Dance of the Dead" (episode of Masters of Horror)
• 2007: When a Man Falls in the Forest (three previously unreleased songs)
• 2011: The Chicago Code (Corgan performs the opening theme, written by Robert Duncan)
• 2018: Rampage – "The Rage" Performed by Kid Cudi featuring vocals by Corgan (from the Smashing Pumpkins track Bullet with Butterfly Wings)

Albums featured

• 1991: Sparkle (by Catherine, The EP is produced by Corgan)
• 1994: Songs About Girls (by Catherine, The song "It's No Lie" is produced by Corgan)
• 1994: Chante Des Chanson Sur Les Filles (by Catherine, The EP is produced by Corgan as "Johhny Goat")
• 1994: Sleepy EP (by Catherine, The EP is produced by Corgan)
• 1996: Guitars That Rule the World, Vol. 2: Smell the Fuzz:The Superstar Guitar Album (by Various Artists, Corgan is credited as writer and performer of "Ascendo")
• 1997: Starjob (by The Frogs, The EP is produced by Corgan as "Johhny Goat")
• 1997: Troublizing (by Ric Ocasek, Corgan is credited as writer of "Asia Minor" and playing guitar on "The Next Right Moment", "Crashland Consequence", "Situation", "Fix on You" and "People We Know")
• 1998: Celebrity Skin (by Hole, Corgan is credited as co-writer of "Celebrity Skin", "Hit So Hard", "Malibu", "Dying" and "Petals")
• 1998: "I Belong to You" single (by Lenny Kravitz, Corgan remixed the second track "If You Can't Say No (Flunky in the attic Mix)")
• 1998: Mechanical Animals by Marilyn Manson, Corgan performed backing vocals on Speed of Pain, although not credited, he is thanked in the album credits.
• 1999: Paraphernalia (by Enuff Z'Nuff, Corgan is credited as guitarist on the song "Everything Works If You Let It")
• 2000: Iommi (by Tony Iommi, Corgan is credited as writer of and vocalist/bassist/additional guitarist on "Black Oblivion")
• 2001: Get Ready (by New Order, Corgan is contributing voice on "Turn My Way")
• 2002: Kissin Time (by Marianne Faithfull, Corgan is credited as writer of "Wherever I Go", "I'm on Fire" and contributing on "Something Good")
• 2003: "Lights Out" single (by Lisa Marie Presley, Corgan is credited as writer of "Savior")
• 2004: We Are Not Alone (by Breaking Benjamin, Corgan is credited as writer of "Follow", "Forget It" and "Rain")
• 2004: The Essential Cheap Trick (by Cheap Trick, Corgan is playing guitar on the live recording of the track "Mandocello")
• 2004: About a Burning Fire (by Blindside, Corgan is playing guitar on "Hooray, It's L.A.")
• 2005: Life Begins Again (by Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, Corgan is contributing voice on "Loki Cat")
• 2005: Blue-Sky Research (by Taproot, Corgan wrote the track "Lost in the Woods" and co-wrote the tracks "Violent Seas" and "Promise")
• 2006: ONXRT:Live From The Archives Volume 9 (A compilation CD from the radio station 93 WXRT in Chicago features the live recording of the track "A100")
• 2007: Humanity: Hour I (by Scorpions, Corgan is contributing voice on "The Cross")
• 2010: Nobody's Daughter (by Hole, Corgan is credited as co-writer of "Pacific Coast Highway", "Samantha" and "Loser Dust")
• 2010: See My Friends (by Ray Davies, Corgan is featured in the song "All Day And All of the Night/Destroyer")
• 2011: Ghost on the Canvas (by Glen Campbell, Corgan is featured in the song ."There's No Me... Without You")
• 2011: Fancy Space People (by Fancy Space People, Corgan is credited as engineer and playing guitar)
• 2014: Did You Miss Me (on The Veronicas by The Veronicas, guitar contributions)
• 2019: The Nothing (by Korn, Corgan is credited as co-writer of "You'll Never Find Me")
• 2019: Blvds of Splendor (by Cherie Currie, Corgan provides guitar, bass and Backing Vocals on "Blvds Of Splendor")
• 2019: Screamer (by Third Eye Blind, Corgan described as the "musical consigliere" of the album, and credited as co-writer of "Light It Up")
• 2020: Ceremony (by Phantogram, Corgan is credited as co-writer of "Into Happiness" and "Love Me Now")
• 2021: Bodies (by AFI, Corgan is credited as co-writer of "Dulcería")

Awards

• Women's Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • WWHOF Award (1 time)
    • Historian Award (2025)

External links

• The Smashing Pumpkins official website
• Template:Discogs artist
• Template:IMDb name
• Template:Usurped – An extensive 7-year archive of Billy's journal entries, including The Confessions of Billy Corgan, solo work and the revival of the Pumpkins.
• Billy Corgan collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive
• Poems by Billy Corgan at alittlepoetry.com Three poems from Blinking With Fists