Billy Corgan

Latest about Billy Corgan

Billy Corgan, lead singer of Smashing Pumpkins, plays at Univeral Ampitheatre on 5/23/00. In background is bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur
Billy Corgan on the first time he met future Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf der Maur

By Janelle Borg Published

The pair reflect on how a heckler at an early Pumpkins gig led to a decades-long friendship

3 Comments
Bands
Musician Melissa Auf Der Maur performs at Highline Ballroom on March 3, 2011 in New York City
Melissa Auf der Maur reveals the biggest lesson she learned from Billy Corgan and The Smashing Pumpkins

By Janelle Borg Published

Auf der Maur joined the Pumpkins in October 1999 following a five-year stint with Hole

Bassists
Billy Corgan performs live with Smashing Pumpkins
Billy Corgan on what drives guitar heroes to change their tone – and how it led him to package his sound in a pedal

By Michael Astley-Brown Published

The Smashing Pumpkins guitar icon reflects on a tonal journey four decades in the making, what pushes him to make signature gear like the new Laney Supergrace affordable, and why he’s the most excited he’s been to make a guitar album in 25 years

4 Comments
Guitarists
Tony Iommi and Ozzy Osbourne rock out at Madison Square Garden in 1978.
A heated moment during soundcheck at Black Sabbath’s farewell show revealed everything about Tony Iommi and Ozzy’s relationship

By Jonathan Horsley Published

Jack Osbourne says everyone needs a friend like Iommi was to Ozzy

Bands
Laney Black Country Customs Supergrace Loudpedal
"There’s clarity where you want it, and a glorious wall of noise when you need it": Laney Black Country Customs Billy Corgan Supergrace Loudpedal review

By Daryl Robertson Published

Laney distills Billy Corgan's legendary rig into a pedalboard-friendly amp that goes way beyond Smashing Pumpkins tones

Effects & Pedals
Nancy and Ann Wilson of Heart performing in 2024
Nancy Wilson’s first guitar was unplayable – so she kept stealing her sister’s

By Phil Weller Published

Wilson needed to play a six-string that was better than the $30 rental guitar she had herself

Guitarists
Michael Angelo Batio plays his double-neck electric guitar [left]; Billy Corgan performs with the Smashing Pumpkins, with an expression that suggests he is impressed by whatever he is seeing.
Michael Angelo Batio on the time Billy Corgan spared his blushes during a Smashing Pumpkins guest spot

By Jonathan Horsley Published

The double-neck guitar shred icon once shared the stage with Smashing Pumpkins during their Riot Fest headline slot

Guitarists
William Patrick Corgan performs with the band The Smashing Pumpkins. Milan, (Italy), July 30th, 2025.
Why Billy Corgan changed the way he plays guitar solos

By Michael Astley-Brown Published

Social media burnout has impacted the role of guitar solos in the Smashing Pumpkins’ live show

43 Comments
Guitarists
Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins performing at Lollapalooza '94 at Downing Stadium on Randall's Island, New York City on August 6, 1994.
The guitar that changed Billy Corgan’s life

By Michael Astley-Brown Published

It soundtracked two of the biggest alt-rock albums of all time, but as the Smashing Pumpkins leader remembers, the guitar itself was far from expensive

11 Comments
Guitarists
Epiphone RD Futura, Abasi Concepts Stage 7, Casio Dimension Shifter, Neural DSP Quad Cortex mini, Polyend Endless
“A brand-new guitar shape from one of the world’s oldest guitar companies. Will wonders never cease?” 10 things we learned at NAMM 2026

By Michael Astley-Brown Published

We scoured every corner of the Anaheim Convention Center to scope out the latest and greatest gear – and there were some telling signs about the current state of the guitar world

Guitar Gear
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