Comments on: Cover Story: Billy Corgan

By: Something that’s really benign « Hipsters United

Something that’s really benign « Hipsters United — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:50:55 +0000

[...] trackback Billy Corgan is on the February cover of the free monthly Illinois Entertainer, and a long, sympathetic interview by Tom Lanham is transcribed inside. Corgan talks selling “Today” to Visa, discusses [...]

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:32:41 +0000

To GranV

Yeah, or like an old humble postman like

STEVE EARLE me thats who!!!!

Foolish statement Grant.

By: GrantV

GrantV — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:23:56 +0000

Thank you for reading the essay.

What you’re saying about Billy’s ego (which I would call “well-deserved pride”) may be true on one level, but, speaking as a music fan, don’t you WANT to hear music made by arrogant maniacs? I do. Why? Because it will be more interesting on the whole… more passionate, more imaginative, more ambitious. Who wants to listen to an album made by some humble fellow who pumps gas?

By: David

David — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:19:04 +0000

To GrantV

Ah, semantics!

“Superior”, “self-deluded”, “objectively”, “better”, etc. I think my meaning was pretty clear.

Superior – meaning, the guy’s arrogance is unreal!

“Objectively superior”?? He’s also OBJECTIVELY an egomaniac!

Self-deluded – even the true greats of rock & roll never carried on like this!

The Pumpkins were a mainstream rock act who scored a few hit singles in the post-Nirvana music industry. That’s it.

I don’t agree with your essay but you clearly put some work into it. Good stuff.

By: GrantV

GrantV — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:02:59 +0000

David said, “What a superior, self-deluded clown.”

I think the term “superior” is interesting. We can say that Billy Corgan has a superior attitude, as if making that observation proves that he’s self-deluded. But I think (and I say this as a “competing” musician) that Billy Corgan is objectively superior to the great majority of people. What’s the use of self-improvement if someone can’t ever look back and see that they really have become better, or superior, to how they used to be (and to how many people still are)?

Anyways, here’s an essay I wrote about Corgan: http://shoestringcentury.com/2010/01/27/one-of-many-more-to-come/

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:43:52 +0000

“You have to understand that for one moment in their life, you said exactly what they wanted to hear. And unfortunately, they’re just not interested in anything else you have to say. So get used to it.”
Pete Townshend

SWEET!

Great Read!

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:10:45 +0000

I thank Billy for telling it like it is.
We all should be thankful that an artist is doing his own thing and not pumping out corperate machine crap. And he is giving us FREE SONGS! He DID help define a generation of music and in the same, if not a more important way, is standing out from the rest of the vast music machine world letting everyone see the real thing verses the mind-numbing apathetic acquiescence of the pop culture monster machine that is going on. To that attempt at awakening the masses, I say, “Billy, Thank you!”
Please stay true to yourself. Be happy. Know that there are many that understand and deeply appreciate all you’ve done and continue to do.

By: Jason Pruitt

Jason Pruitt — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:10:52 +0000

Great article!

By: doug

doug — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:01:33 +0000

interesting read…

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:46:27 +0000

The most political stuff i’ve read coming from Corgan. Sorta frustrating that it has to get interjected into the Smashing Pumpkins so sloppily. IE is clearly far-left biased. I think that the right is 50% of the problem (and Fox is on that side) but shouldn’t the network that goes around declaring people as “the worst person in the world” get some credit too? BTW, horrible meandering interview. Although, great job getting Billy Corgan to talk about what is obviously on YOUR mind (eye roll).

By: Kary

Kary — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:58:14 +0000

We live in a world where people can say something stupid, and think they are “judging” someone. But they forgot that judging involves analysing and knowing well what they judge. Phil, I totally agree with you.

And I wish I had half of Corgan’s vision of the world.

By: Marcus

Marcus — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:21:54 +0000

People who trash Billy Corgan’s opinions or his music obviously do not understand the creative processes involved in music.. Simple as that.

Just put the book down if you’re not enjoying it anymore.. Leave it be. Re-read the first few chapters if they excited you.

By: David

David — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:52:29 +0000

@Phil…

Jessica Simpson’s boyfriend and commercial pitchman Billy Corgan proclaims himself the inventor of alternative rock and then trashes alternative rock radio stations for playing manufactured and commercialized versions of that music.

But, i’m the a–hole??

By: Phil who thinks David sucks and should get a life

Phil who thinks David sucks and should get a life — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:15:14 +0000

@Flava Flav

I totally agree with you. Not a very popular topic amongst my friends so I usually keep that for myself but I tend to feel that way too.

By: Flava Flav

Flava Flav — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:31:55 +0000

I thought it was a great interview but it’s important not to generalize and lose focus. There are many who do, yes still do, think for themselves. Sometimes it’s hard to believe this but there is still hope. I don’t really see how this can all be fixed but I agree with Billy, times are getting darker and something will knock us on our asses – it’s just a matter of time.

By: Phil who thinks David sucks and should get a life

Phil who thinks David sucks and should get a life — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:33:08 +0000

Fuck you David. Let him be.

By: David

David — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:31:18 +0000

Great? This is the same self serving nonsense Corgan’s been spewing for years. What a superior, self-deluded clown.

By: Fernando

Fernando — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:36:11 +0000

Great! Really great!

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:55:34 +0000

Great interview…thank you very much! I not only admire the music this man has penned…but also his consciousness, honesty and willing to STAY alternative!

By: Chad

Chad — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:41:22 +0000

Great interview. Interesting to see where BC is coming from. I for one, have enjoyed the significant majority of his music including everyting from the last 10 years!

By: rina

rina — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:26:35 +0000

very good interview, thought provoking and confirming what I’ve been thinking/feeling at the same time.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:47:06 +0000

I still like this guy. Thanks

By: Beth

Beth — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:35:22 +0000

Thanks for an interesting and thoughtful article.