{{Short description|American musician (born 1967)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = Billy Corgan | image = Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins - 2019158213151 2019-06-07 Rock am Ring - 2085 - AK8I7435 (cropped).jpg | caption = Corgan performing with The Smashing Pumpkins in 2019 | birth_name = William Patrick Corgan Jr. | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1967|3|17}} | birth_place = [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]], U.S. | occupation = {{flatlist| * Musician * singer * songwriter * professional wrestling promoter * podcaster }} | years_active = 1985–present | spouse = {{plainlist| * {{marriage|Chris Fabian|1993|1997|end=divorced}} * {{marriage|Chloe Mendel|2023}} }} | children = 3 | networth = | website = | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | genre = {{flatlist| * [[Alternative rock]] * [[hard rock]] * {{nowrap|[[alternative metal]]}} * [[grunge]] * {{nowrap|[[psychedelic rock]]}} }} | instrument = {{flatlist| * Vocals * guitar * keyboards * bass }}<!-- only list those primarily known for using, per [[Template:Infobox_musical_artist/doc#instrument]]--> | label = {{flatlist| * [[Caroline Records|Caroline]] * [[Virgin Records|Virgin]] * [[Reprise Records|Reprise]] * [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]] * [[Sumerian Records|Sumerian]] * [[BMG Rights Management|BMG]] }} | current_member_of = [[The Smashing Pumpkins]] | past_member_of = {{flatlist| * Deep Blue Dream * The Marked * [[Spirits in the Sky]] * Starchildren * [[Zwan]] }} }} }}

'''William Patrick<!--Follow MOS:HYPOCORISM, do not put Billy in quotes--> Corgan Jr.''' (born March 17, 1967) is an American musician, singer-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. Considered as one of the finest and most underrated rock guitarists of the 1990s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Ahx65mpbf9fco|title=Pisces Iscariot|access-date=October 7, 2006|last=Prato|first=Greg|format=http|work=Allmusic|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213051514/http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg|archive-date=December 13, 2006}}</ref>'' [[Rolling Stone]]'' called him and his Smashing Pumpkins bandmates "ruthless virtuosos". 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 [[List of The Smashing Pumpkins band members|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>{{Cite web|url =https://www.npr.org/2017/10/05/554282861/first-listen-william-patrick-corgan-ogilala |title= Review: William Patrick Corgan, 'Ogilala'|website= NPR|date= October 5, 2017| publisher = npr.org|last1= Heller|first1= Jason}}</ref> His latest solo album, ''[[Cotillions (album)|Cotillions]]'', was released in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-11-01|title=Billy Corgan Calls New Solo Album 'Cotillions' a "Labor of Love"|url=https://www.spin.com/2019/11/billy-corgan-new-album-cotillions/|access-date=2020-06-22|website=Spin}}</ref>

Corgan co-founded [[Resistance Pro Wrestling]] in 2011. He joined [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling|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>{{Cite web|title=Billy Corgan|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004842/|access-date=2021-01-07|website=IMDb}}</ref> was born at Columbus Hospital in the [[Lincoln Park, Chicago|Lincoln Park]] neighborhood of Chicago on March 17, 1967,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cookcountyclerk.com/sweethomecookcounty/documents/2007sweethome.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=May 29, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528132937/http://www.cookcountyclerk.com/sweethomecookcounty/documents/2007sweethome.pdf |archive-date=May 28, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="allmusic-bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-corgan-mn0000070026/biography|title=Billy Corgan Biography|first=Greg|last=Prato|publisher=[[AllMusic.com]]|access-date=December 23, 2015}}</ref> the oldest child of Martha Louise Maes (1947–1996) and guitarist William Dale Corgan (1947–2021).<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=98 KUPD |title=Billy Corgan mourns death of his father: "He inspired me to be the musician that I am" |url=https://98kupd.com/billy-corgan-mourns-death-of-his-father-he-inspired-me-to-be-the-musician-that-i-am/ |website=98 KUPD |date=December 20, 2021 |access-date=4 April 2022}}</ref> He is of English, Irish, and Scottish descent on his father's side, and Belgian, Flemish, and Italian descent on his mother's side.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Solstice Bare|url=https://solsticebare.wordpress.com/2010/12/19/q-what-makes-up-the-other-three-fourths-of-your-heritage-then-from-tiffany-leckenby/|access-date=2010-12-19|website=Solsticebare.wordpress.com}}</ref> He grew up [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] and has a younger brother.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lionsroar.com/qa-smashing-pumpkins-frontman-billy-corgan-talks-music-depression-adam-yauch-buddhism-and-christianity/|title=Q&A: Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan talks music, depression, Adam Yauch, Buddhism, and...|last=Sperry|first=Rod Meade|date=February 23, 2013|newspaper=Lion's Roar|language=en-US|access-date=January 29, 2017}}</ref> His parents divorced in 1970.<ref>{{cite web|first=Billy|last=Corgan|url=http://billycorgan.livejournal.com/2005/06/02/|title=The Confessions of Billy Corgan: The Toy Hammer|website=[[Livejournal]]|date=June 2, 2005|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091222214449/http://billycorgan.livejournal.com/2005/06/02/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 2009|quote=William also fathered a half-brother, but Corgan has never found out who he is.}}</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 married) in [[Glendale Heights, Illinois]], a Chicago suburb 22 miles west of the city.<ref name="suntimes_derogatis">{{cite web|first=Jim|last=DeRogatis|url=http://www.suntimes.com/output/entertainment/cst-ftr-dero30.html|title=Rock and Roll's Best and Worst Chicago Songs|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=July 30, 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030803140156/http://www.suntimes.com/output/entertainment/cst-ftr-dero30.html|archive-date=August 3, 2003}}</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 alleges that his father was abusive to him, both [[physical abuse|physically]] and [[emotional abuse|emotionally]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Billy|last=Corgan|url=http://billycorgan.livejournal.com/2005/07/01/|title=The Confessions of Billy Corgan: Following the Moon|website=[[Livejournal]]|date=July 1, 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091222214501/http://billycorgan.livejournal.com/2005/07/01/|archive-date=December 22, 2009}}</ref> He developed a protective bond with his younger paternal half-brother, Jesse, who had [[special needs]] as a child.<ref>{{cite news|first=Beth|last=Wilson|title=He's My Brother|newspaper=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|Daily Herald]]|date=April 17, 1995}}</ref> When Billy's father and stepmother separated, all three boys lived with their stepmother.<ref name="howard">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rspaa.org/data/Interviews/000229%20-%20Howard%20Stern%20interview.mp3|title=Howard Stern interviews Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308043120/http://www.rspaa.org/data/Interviews/000229%20-%20Howard%20Stern%20interview.mp3|archive-date=March 8, 2012|date=February 29, 2000|author=Stern, Howard}}</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>{{cite web |last1=Rogan |first1=Joe |title=Billy Corgan Tells Crazy Stories About His Childhood |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ap4h08vceQ | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/-Ap4h08vceQ| archive-date=2021-10-30|website=YouTube |date=November 10, 2017 |access-date=12 November 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Corgan, who grew much faster than his fellow students, was a strong athlete in elementary school.<ref name="limb">{{cite news|last=Blashill|first=Pat|title=Out on a Limb|publisher=[[Details Magazine]]|date=October 1996}}</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 [[Gibson Flying V|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 [[Gibson Les Paul|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 (John Cale album)|Guts]]''-era [[John Cale]], [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] pioneers [[Black Sabbath]], and [[mainstream rock]] like [[Van Halen (band)|Van Halen]], [[Queen (band)|Queen]], [[Boston (band)|Boston]], [[Electric Light Orchestra|ELO]], [[Rush (band)|Rush]], and [[Cheap Trick]]. Corgan discovered the [[alternative rock]] genre by listening to [[Bauhaus (band)|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">{{cite web|first=David|last=Fricke|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/smashingpumpkins/articles/story/5918770/smashing_pumpkins_look_back_in_wonder|title=Smashing Pumpkins Look Back in Wonder|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |location=New York City|date=December 22, 2000|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909113134/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/smashingpumpkins/articles/story/5918770/smashing_pumpkins_look_back_in_wonder|archive-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref> Corgan decided to pursue music full-time.<ref name="eddy">{{cite web|first=Billy|last=Corgan|url=http://billycorgan.livejournal.com/2005/04/15/|title=The Confessions of Billy Corgan: Eddy Street|website=[[Livejournal]]|date=April 15, 2005|url-status=live|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091222215217/http://billycorgan.livejournal.com/2005/04/15/|archive-date=December 22, 2009}}</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>{{cite web|url=https://diffuser.fm/billy-corgan-wayne-static-deep-blue-dream/ |title=Billy Corgan and Wayne Static Were In a Band Together In the '80s|work=[[Townsquare Media|Diffuser.fm]]|date=November 5, 2014|access-date=April 21, 2020|first=Tim|last=Karan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/wayne-static-billy-corgan-static-x-legacy/|title=Wayne Static Discussed Band With Billy Corgan + Static-X Legacy in One of His Final Interviews|work=[[Loudwire]]|date=November 4, 2014|access-date=April 21, 2020|first=Graham|last=Hartmann}}</ref> He left the band to focus on the Smashing Pumpkins.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/wayne_static_im_much_of_like_a_james_hetfield_kind_of_guy.html|title=Wayne Static: 'I'm Much of Like a James Hetfield Kind of Guy'|work=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|date= October 21, 2014 |access-date=April 21, 2020|first=Steven|last=Rosen}}</ref>

===1988–2000: The Smashing Pumpkins=== {{Main|The Smashing Pumpkins}} 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 [[Gothic rock|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>{{Cite web|url =https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/smashing-pumpkins/biography |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110208044018/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/smashing-pumpkins/biography |url-status =dead |archive-date =February 8, 2011 |title= Smashing Pumpkins Bio | publisher = rollingstone.com}}</ref> The trio began to play together at local clubs with a [[drum machine]] for percussion. To secure a show at the [[Cabaret Metro|Metro]] in Chicago, the band recruited drummer [[Jimmy Chamberlin]], and played for the first time as a quartet on October 5, 1988.

[[File:Billy Corgan in 1992.jpg|thumb|left|upright|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 (album)|Gish]]'' (1991), the band integrated [[psychedelic rock]] and [[Heavy metal music|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 (The Smashing Pumpkins song)|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 himself{{nbsp}}..." in this album.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Jon|last1=Pareles|title=Alternative Rockers Think Big, Uneasily.|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 22, 1995|pages=2.38}}</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 (song)|1979]]" was Corgan's biggest hit to date, reaching No. 1 on [[Billboard magazine|''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>{{cite news|last1=Mac|first1=Ryan|last2=Dunn|first2=Charlie|title=Review: Live 105's Not So Silent Night|url=http://www.stanforddaily.com/2010/12/14/review-live-105s-not-so-silent-night/|access-date=November 25, 2014|work=[[The Stanford Daily]]|date=December 14, 2010}}</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>{{Cite web|first=Neil|last=Strauss|url =https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/13/nyregion/musician-for-smashing-pumpkins-dies-of-apparent-drug-overdose.html |title= Musician for Smashing Pumpkins Dies of Apparent Drug Overdose | newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 13, 1996|access-date=August 23, 2018}}</ref> Chamberlin was later arrested on a misdemeanor drug possession charge.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/501610/MUSICIAN-DIES-AFTER-APPARENT-DRUG-OVERDOSE.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824103300/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/501610/MUSICIAN-DIES-AFTER-APPARENT-DRUG-OVERDOSE.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 24, 2018|title=MUSICIAN DIES AFTER APPARENT DRUG OVERDOSE|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|date=July 13, 1996|access-date=August 23, 2018}}</ref> The Smashing Pumpkins made the decision to fire Chamberlin and continue as a trio.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Tom|last=Hoare|url=http://www.thedrummersjournal.com/blog/the-jimmy-chamberlin-interview|title=The Jimmy Chamberlin Interview|magazine=The Drummer's Journal|date=October 16, 2015|access-date=August 23, 2018}}</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 (The Smashing Pumpkins album)|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&nbsp;million in the US).<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Greg|last=Kot|title=Pumpkin Seeds|magazine=[[Guitar World]]|location=New York City|date=January 2002}}</ref>

[[File:Billy Corgan pic.jpg|thumb|upright|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>{{cite magazine|first=Jonathan|last=Cohen|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/62521/smashing-pumpkins-to-reunite|title=Smashing Pumpkins to Reunite?|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|location=Los Angeles, California|date=June 21, 2005|access-date=August 23, 2018}}</ref> During the recording for ''Machina'', Wretzky quit the band and was replaced for the upcoming tour by former [[Hole (band)|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 (band)|New Order]] in the summer,<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/79605/corgan-signs-on-for-new-order-shows-album |title= Corgan Signs On For New Order Shows, Album |date= May 25, 2001 | publisher = billboard.com}}</ref> Corgan reunited with Chamberlin to form the band [[Zwan]] with Corgan's old friend [[Matt Sweeney]] in late 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/N/New_Order/2001/05/23/748139.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017024216/http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/N/New_Order/2001/05/23/748139.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 17, 2015|title=CANOE – JAM! New Order: Billy Corgan joins New Order: report|author=Canoe inc.|work=canoe.com|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Moss, Corey|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1450482/billy-corgan-debut-new-band.jhtml|title=Billy Corgan Ready To Debut His New Band, Zwan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802064823/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1450482/billy-corgan-debut-new-band.jhtml|archive-date=August 2, 2013|publisher=MTV|date=November 2, 2001}}</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 music|folk]] and [[Gospel music|gospel]] inspired acoustic side with live strings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xfm.co.uk/news/2003/zwan-bassist-quits-band-to-join-a-perfect-circle|title=Music News|work=XFM|access-date=October 27, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806192941/http://www.xfm.co.uk/news/2003/zwan-bassist-quits-band-to-join-a-perfect-circle|archive-date=August 6, 2013}}</ref> The quintet performed throughout 2002, and their debut album, ''[[Mary Star of the Sea (album)|Mary Star of the Sea]]'', was released in early 2003 to generally positive reviews.<ref>''[http://www.metacritic.com/music/mary-star-of-the-sea Mary Star of the Sea on Metacritic] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306024014/http://www.metacritic.com/music/mary-star-of-the-sea|date=March 6, 2016}}''. 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. "[https://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=18210 Zwan Cancels European Tour] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030627134802/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=18210|date=June 27, 2003}}". [[Rolling Stone|RollingStone.com]]. June 13, 2003. {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120910171041/http://www.spfc.org/news-press/articles.html?content_id=1807 Available here]}}.</ref><ref name="Corgan, Billy">{{cite web|author=Corgan, Billy |date=August 3, 2004 |title=Smashing Pumpkins (weblog) |format=http |work=LiveJournal.com |url=http://billycorgan.livejournal.com/2004/08/03/ |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091222220020/http://billycorgan.livejournal.com/2004/08/03/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 22, 2009 |access-date=May 4, 2008 }}</ref><ref>Kot, Greg. "[http://www.zwanmusic.org/newsarchive/366.html Billy Corgan comes clean, starts over] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923095903/http://www.zwanmusic.org/newsarchive/366.html|date=September 23, 2016}}". ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', April 24, 2005. Retrieved September 10, 2007.</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|author=Snierson, Dan|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1063714,00.html|title=Window To His Soul|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=May 23, 2005|access-date=September 10, 2007|archive-date=July 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706191638/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1063714,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2004, Corgan began writing revealing autobiographical posts on his website and his [[Myspace|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>{{cite web|author=Corgan, Billy |date=February 17, 2004 |title=Smashing Pumpkins (weblog) |format=http |website=[[Livejournal]] |url=http://billycorgan.livejournal.com/2004/02/17/ |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091222215730/http://billycorgan.livejournal.com/2004/02/17/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 22, 2009 |access-date=June 14, 2006 }}</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>{{cite web|author=Corgan, Billy |date=August 3, 2004 |title=Blinking With Fists. |format=http |website=[[Livejournal]] |url=http://billycorgan.livejournal.com/2004/02/17/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312190605/http://billycorgan.livejournal.com/8316.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 12, 2015 |access-date=August 11, 2025 }}</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|''The New York Times'' Best Seller List]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Billy Corgan's First Poetry Effort Debuts on New York Times Best Seller List |url=http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=75513 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041117023410/http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=75513 |archive-date=November 17, 2004 |access-date=June 10, 2011 }}</ref> He had made his debut as a poet on September 17, 2003, presenting at the Art Institute of Chicago's Rubloff Auditorium.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/09/19/poet-corgan-smashes-image/|title=Poet Corgan smashes image – Chicago Tribune|publisher=Articles.chicagotribune.com|date=September 19, 2003|access-date=March 1, 2014|first=Joshua|last=Klein}}</ref>

Also in 2004, he began a solo music career, landing on an [[electronic music|electronic]]/[[shoegazing|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>{{cite web|title=Smashing Pumpkins Reunite... Sort Of|format=http|work=Pitchfork Media|url=http://pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/35839/Smashing_Pumpkins_Reunite_Sort_Of#35839|access-date=May 14, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118040839/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/35839/Smashing_Pumpkins_Reunite_Sort_Of#35839|archive-date=January 18, 2008}}</ref> Corgan toured behind his solo album with a touring band that included [[Linda Strawberry]], [[Brian Liesegang]] and [[Matt Walker (drummer)|Matt Walker]] in 2005. This tour was not as extensive as previous Smashing Pumpkins or Zwan tours.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spfc.org/tours/date.html?year=2005&date_display=0|title=Tour history – dates (search results)|publisher=Spfc.org|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</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>{{cite web |title=BILLY CORGAN Storms Off Stage After Audience Yells For SMASHING PUMPKINS Songs |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/billy-corgan-storms-off-stage-after-audience-yells-for-smashing-pumpkins-songs |website=Blabbermouth |date=July 27, 2005 |access-date=23 October 2024}}</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. "{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130415234341/http://www.spfc.org/news-press/articles.html?content_id=2177 A Message to Chicago From Billy Corgan]}}." 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>{{cite news|url=http://www.chartattack.com/news/38991/chamberlins-in-for-pumpkins-reunion-to-nobodys-surprise|title=Chamberlin's in For Pumpkins Reunion... To Nobody's Surprise|work=[[Chart (magazine)|Chart]]|date=June 28, 2005|first=Ashley|last=Spegel|access-date=August 10, 2009|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607182753/http://www.chartattack.com/news/38991/chamberlins-in-for-pumpkins-reunion-to-nobodys-surprise|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref>

On April 20, 2006, the band's official website confirmed that the group was reuniting.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1529202/20060421/smashing_pumpkins.jhtml?headlines=true|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423050124/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1529202/20060421/smashing_pumpkins.jhtml?headlines=true|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 23, 2006|title=Smashing Pumpkins Site Says 'It's Official'&nbsp;– Band Has Reunited|work=Mtv|date=April 21, 2006|access-date=July 26, 2011}}</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 (The Smashing Pumpkins album)|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 (EP)|American Gothic]]'' and the singles "[[G.L.O.W. (song)|G.L.O.W.]]" and "[[Superchrist]]". Chamberlin left the band in March 2009, and Corgan chose to continue under the name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/centertainment-us-pumpkins-idCATRE52K0NM20090321 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212160922/https://www.reuters.com/article/centertainment-us-pumpkins-idCATRE52K0NM20090321 |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |title=Smashing Pumpkins sheds Chamberlin |publisher=Reuters |last=Prince |first=David J. |date=March 21, 2009 |access-date=February 12, 2023}}</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 (alternative rock band)|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 (musician)|Mike Byrne]], and [[Jane's Addiction]] guitarist [[Dave Navarro]], playing covers and new Pumpkins material at several clubs in California.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/pages/news/dave-navarro-mark-weitz-join-spirits-in-sky-tour-roster|title=The Official Smashing Pumpkins|access-date=October 27, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315073131/http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/pages/news/dave-navarro-mark-weitz-join-spirits-in-sky-tour-roster|archive-date=March 15, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/pages/news/bc-solo-tour-ends|title=The Official Smashing Pumpkins|access-date=October 27, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315073136/http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/pages/news/bc-solo-tour-ends|archive-date=March 15, 2012}}</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>{{cite tweet|user=studiodog|author=Kerry Brown|number=3749867800|date=September 4, 2009|title=Listening 2 killer demos as I pack for chicago 2 meet @billy and start the S.P. recordings... :)}}</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 (The Smashing Pumpkins 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com/#!News-on-AEGEA-WPCs-Upcoming-Private-Press-Record-Release/c7ba/1470738B-3C10-433B-BFC4-98D2EB7F9510|title=The Official Smashing Pumpkins|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</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, Illinois|Highland Park]], a suburb northwest of Chicago.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hudson |first1=Alex |title=Billy Corgan Unveils Experimental Album: 'AEGEA' |url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/billy_corgan_unveils_experimental_album_aegea |publisher=[[Exclaim!]] |access-date=March 6, 2020 |date=April 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bendersky|first=Ari|date=2011-12-29|title=Billy Corgan Opening 1930s Chinese-style Tea House this Spring in Highland Park|url=https://chicago.eater.com/2011/12/29/6626599/billy-corgan-opening-1930s-chinese-style-tea-house-this-spring-in|access-date=2021-06-24|website=Eater Chicago|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madamezuzus.com/aegea/aegea-by-wpc-2nd-pressing|title=AEGEA BY WPC:2nd PRESSING|access-date=May 27, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527211815/http://www.madamezuzus.com/aegea/aegea-by-wpc-2nd-pressing|archive-date=May 27, 2014}}</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 expected{{clarify|date=March 2022}} to contain between 5 and 6 discs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com/board_new/#!HELLO-ITS-MEAN-ADORE-AEGEA-RAVINIA-RESISTANCE-PRO-AP-AWARDS-MONUMENTS-TO-AN-ELEGY-DAY-FOR-NIGHT-AND-MACHINA-SIDDHARTHA-UPDATE-BY-WPC/c7ba/37AF5DFB-23D7-494B-998E-93A34FC12CFC|title=The Official Smashing Pumpkins|access-date=October 27, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016023214/http://www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com/board_new#!HELLO-ITS-MEAN-ADORE-AEGEA-RAVINIA-RESISTANCE-PRO-AP-AWARDS-MONUMENTS-TO-AN-ELEGY-DAY-FOR-NIGHT-AND-MACHINA-SIDDHARTHA-UPDATE-BY-WPC/c7ba/37AF5DFB-23D7-494B-998E-93A34FC12CFC|archive-date=October 16, 2014}}</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">{{cite web|last=Leas|first=Ryan|title=Inside Baseball With Billy Corgan: The Smashing Pumpkins Head On Adore, MACHINA, And The End Of Teargarden|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1698954/inside-baseball-with-billy-corgan-the-smashing-pumpkins-leader-on-adore-machina-and-the-end-of-teargarden-by-kaleidyscope/interviews/|work=[[Stereogum]]|date=August 19, 2014|access-date=August 24, 2014}}</ref>

In October 2017, he released a new solo album titled ''[[Ogilala]].''<ref name="ogilala">{{cite web |url=http://www.avclub.com/article/william-billy-corgan-announces-new-album-ogilala-p-259746 |title=William "Billy" Corgan Announces New Album ''Ogilala'', Produced by Rick Rubin |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=August 22, 2017 |last=Rife |first=Katie}}</ref>

[[File:The Smashing Pumpkins - 2019158212504 2019-06-07 Rock am Ring - 1952 - AK8I7302.jpg|thumb|right|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>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/smashing-pumpkins-reunion-tour-w516780|title=Smashing Pumpkins Plot Reunion Tour Culling From First Five Albums|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215225627/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/smashing-pumpkins-reunion-tour-w516780|archive-date=February 15, 2018|date=2018-02-15}}</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>{{Cite news|url=https://www.spin.com/2018/02/billy-corgan-darcy-wretzky-feud-smashing-pumpkins-reunion-timeline/|title=Smashing Pumpkins Reunion Feud: A Timeline|date=February 13, 2018|work=Spin|access-date=February 20, 2018}}</ref> After Wretzky released text messages between her and Corgan,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2018/02/darcy-wretzky-shares-text-messages-as-proof-that-billy-corgan-is-lying-about-smashing-pumpkins-reunion-offer/|title=D'arcy Wretzky shares text messages as proof that Billy Corgan is lying about Smashing Pumpkins reunion offer|date=February 13, 2018|website=Consequence of Sound|language=en-US|access-date=May 18, 2019}}</ref> a feud ensued, each party attacking each other with biting remarks.

On November 22, 2019, Corgan released his third solo album ''[[Cotillions (album)|Cotillions]]'', which he called "a labor of love". He also said, "This is absolutely an album from my heart."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2019/11/billy-corgan-new-album-cotillions/|title=Billy Corgan Calls New Solo Album 'Cotillions' a "Labor of Love"|date=November 1, 2019|website=Spin|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</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>{{Cite magazine|last=Chan|first=Anna|title=Billy Corgan Announces Benefit Show for Highland Park Shooting Victims|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/billy-corgan-benefit-show-highland-park-shooting-victims-1235114867/|date=July 15, 2022|access-date=July 16, 2022|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

==Professional wrestling career== ===ECW (1999–2000)=== Billy Corgan sporadically made appearances for [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]]. In 2000, Corgan met with ECW owner [[Paul Heyman]] about investing in the company. Corgan declined.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/billy-corgan-was-offered-10-ecw-paul-heyman-wishes-he-was-involved-wcw-sale?xv=20220818132800|title=Billy Corgan Was Offered 10% Of ECW By Paul Heyman, Wishes He Was Involved In WCW Sale|first=Jeremy|last=Lambert|website=Fightful.com|date=August 18, 2022|access-date=March 12, 2026}}</ref>

===Resistance Pro Wrestling (2011–2014)=== In 2011, Corgan formed a Chicago-based independent wrestling promotion called [[Resistance Pro]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Frye|first=Andy|title=Pumpkins' Billy Corgan gets into pro wrestling|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/index?id=7286348|access-date=December 5, 2011|newspaper=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Smashing Pumpkins Frontman Billy Corgan Joins Pro Wrestling Company|url=http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/good_day/smashing-pumpkins-billy-corgan-pro-wrestling-chicago-resistance-pro-20111013|access-date=December 5, 2011|newspaper=Fox Chicago News|date=October 13, 2011}}</ref> Two years later, in 2013, he starred in a commercial for [[Walter E. Smithe|Walter E. Smithe Furniture]], using the platform to promote his wrestling company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/49634-watch-billy-corgan-does-weird-furniture-store-commercial-to-promote-his-pro-wrestling-company/|title=Watch: Billy Corgan Does Weird Furniture Store Commercial to Promote His Pro Wrestling Company|access-date=February 20, 2013|last=Minsker|first=Evan|date=February 19, 2013|publisher=PitchforkMedia}}</ref>

In March 2014, it was reported that Corgan was in discussions with American television channel [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]] to develop an unscripted reality series about Resistance Pro.<ref name="HP">{{cite web|title=Billy Corgan in Talks With AMC For Reality Show Based on His Indie Pro Wrestling Company|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=March 31, 2014|access-date=May 3, 2014|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/31/billy-corgan-wrestling-show-amc_n_5063672.html}}</ref><ref name="Variety">{{cite web|last=Steinberg|first=Brian|title=AMC To Develop Scripted Comedy, Latenight Project with Kevin Smith|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=March 26, 2014|access-date=May 3, 2014|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/amc-to-develop-scripted-comedy-late-night-project-with-kevin-smith-1201147801/}}</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">{{cite web|title=AMC Picks Up Billy Corgan's Wrestling Reality Show|publisher=RTTNews|date=March 29, 2014|access-date=May 3, 2014|url=http://www.rttnews.com/2293533/amc-picks-up-billy-corgan-s-wrestling-reality-show.aspx}}</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>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/sports/videos/billy-corgan-on-loving-pro-wrestling-turning-heel-and-joining-tna-20160217 |title=Billy Corgan on Loving Wrestling, Going Heel and Joining TNA |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=February 17, 2016 |access-date=April 26, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508225518/http://www.rollingstone.com/sports/videos/billy-corgan-on-loving-pro-wrestling-turning-heel-and-joining-tna-20160217 |archive-date=May 8, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/billy-corgan-on-joining-tna-changing-the-culture-of-wrestling-20150507 |title=Billy Corgan Wants to Change the Culture of Wrestling |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=May 7, 2015 |access-date=April 26, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419023554/http://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/billy-corgan-on-joining-tna-changing-the-culture-of-wrestling-20150507 |archive-date=April 19, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1836025/billy-corgan-quits-twitter-to-focus-on-tna-wrestling-vintage-car-photos/video/|title=Billy Corgan Quits Twitter to Focus on TNA Wrestling, Vintage Car Photos|date=October 8, 2015|access-date=April 26, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505122836/http://www.stereogum.com/1836025/billy-corgan-quits-twitter-to-focus-on-tna-wrestling-vintage-car-photos/video/|archive-date=May 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|author=Brian Steinberg|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/billy-corgan-tna-wrestling-smashing-pumpkins-1201480379-1201480379/|title=Billy Corgan: TNA Impact Wrestling Hires Smashing Pumpkins Frontman|magazine=Variety|date=April 27, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2015}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/tna-news/dixier-carter-no-longer-tna-president-billy-corgan-takes-over-218566|title=Dixie Carter no longer TNA President, Billy Corgan takes over|last=Currier|first=Joseph|date=August 12, 2016|access-date=August 12, 2016|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> In 2016, he loaned money to Anthem Sports & Entertainment to fund TNA, and they promised to pay him back.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/1111/619255/billy-corgan-signs-settlement-with-anthem-tna/|title=Billy Corgan signs settlement with Anthem|last=Middleton|first=Marc|date=November 11, 2016|website=Wrestlinginc.com|access-date=November 11, 2016}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|certain=y|date=May 2017}} On November 11, Corgan and Anthem signed a settlement, with Anthem repaying TNA's loan from Corgan.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

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>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-online.com/tna/ed-nordholm-thanks-matt-hardy-then-credits-others-for-broken-gimmick/|title=Ed Nordholm "thanks" Matt Hardy, then credits others for Broken gimmick|date=March 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gerweck.net/2017/03/11/ed-nordholm-thanks-matt-hardy-then-credits-others-for-broken-gimmick/|title=Ed Nordholm "thanks" Matt Hardy, then credits others for Broken gimmick|date=March 11, 2017}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/109356/exclusive-billy-corgan-finalizes-deal-to-purchase.html?p=1|title=Exclusive: Billy Corgan finalizes deal to purchase....|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=May 1, 2017|access-date=May 1, 2017|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/109370/nwa-president-bruce-tharpe-on-corgan-acquiring-nwa.html?p=1|title=NWA president Bruce Tharpe on Corgan acquiring NWA|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=May 1, 2017|access-date=May 2, 2017|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> Corgan's ownership took effect on October 1, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/112647/corgans-reign-as-nwa-owner-begins-full-details.html?p=1|title=Corgan's reign as NWA owner begins, full details|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=October 2, 2017|access-date=October 2, 2017|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref>

==Personal life== ===Mental health=== For much of his life, Corgan has struggled with [[anxiety]], [[Clinical depression|depression]], [[panic attacks]], [[self-harm]], [[obsessive–compulsive disorder]], and [[suicidal ideation]].<ref name="half of us">{{cite video|people=[[Joel Schumacher]] (director)|title=Half of Us|medium=[[FLV]]|publisher=[[mtvU]]|url=http://www.halfofus.com/video/?videoID=33&chapterID=1|date=March 3, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2009|archive-date=January 31, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131063137/http://www.halfofus.com/video/?videoID=33&chapterID=1|url-status=dead}}</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. "[http://www.benmaller.com/archives/2004/june/29-chicago_rocker_billy_corgan_covers_cubs.html Chicago rocker Billy Corgan covers Cubs] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116051723/http://www.benmaller.com/archives/2004/june/29-chicago_rocker_billy_corgan_covers_cubs.html|date=January 16, 2009}}." ''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>[http://www.rspaa.org/data/Live/2000-11-29%20United%20Center%2c%20Chicago%2c%20IL%2c%20US/20001129d3%20-%2008%20-%20Interview.mp3] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209135907/http://www.rspaa.org/data/Live/2000-11-29%20United%20Center%2C%20Chicago%2C%20IL%2C%20US/20001129d3%20-%2008%20-%20Interview.mp3|date=February 9, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2012/11/smashing_pumpkins_corgan_cover.html |title= Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan talks, music, philosophy and the Chicago Bears |date= November 28, 2012 | publisher = masslive.com}}</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 [[Extreme Championship Wrestling|ECW]] event wielding an acoustic guitar as a weapon.<ref>{{YouTube|id=y3o2LY9uU6M|title=Billy Corgan on ECW. Video available}} {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3o2LY9uU6M |title=YouTube |website=[[YouTube]] |access-date=July 27, 2016 |archive-date=December 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151201200417/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3o2LY9uU6M |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> In 2008, the Pumpkins song "[[Doomsday Clock (song)|Doomsday Clock]]" was used by [[Ring of Honor|ROH]] for promotional videos.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmp1HaBcRws| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/cmp1HaBcRws| archive-date=2021-10-30|title=Smashing Pumpkins – Doomsday Clock featuring ROH Wrestling|work=YouTube| date=January 15, 2008|access-date=October 27, 2014}}{{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 [[Lucha Libre AAA World Wide|AAA]] during a concert for [[MTV World Stage]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://superluchas.net/2010/08/27/imagenes-del-ataque-de-aaa-a-los-smashing-pumpkins-%C2%BFvia-facebook-se-habia-arruinado-la-sorpresa/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829073900/http://superluchas.net/2010/08/27/imagenes-del-ataque-de-aaa-a-los-smashing-pumpkins-%C2%BFvia-facebook-se-habia-arruinado-la-sorpresa/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 29, 2010|title=Imágenes del ataque de AAA a los Smashing Pumpkins – ¿Via Facebook se había arruinado la sorpresa?|work=Superluchas|date=August 27, 2010|access-date=August 29, 2010|language=es}}</ref> As far as other entertainment, Corgan once commented that all he watches on TV are "sports and the [[Three Stooges]]".<ref name="Listessa">{{cite web|url=http://www.spfc.org/online/qualityposts.html?content_id=542|title=spfc.org : quality posts : Listessa Interviews Billy Corgan|publisher=Spfc.org|access-date=October 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709222335/http://www.spfc.org/online/qualityposts.html?content_id=542|archive-date=July 9, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> In March 2008, he was spotted in the crowd at the final day of a cricket [[test cricket|test match]] between [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]] and [[England cricket team|England]].

===Spiritual beliefs=== Corgan identifies as [[Christianity|Christian]],<ref name="flynn">{{cite web |title= Conrad Flynn - The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3z-OSCslYY |website=YouTube |date=December 31, 2025 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=December 31, 2025}}</ref> though has mentioned that he accepts elements of [[Buddhism]] and [[Ken Wilber]]'s spiritual ideas<ref>{{cite web|first=Bettina|last= Kozlowski|url=http://consciouschoice.com/2005/cc1806/corgan1806.html|title=Billy Corgan Comes Out of the Dark|website=Conscious Choice|date=June 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905085223/http://consciouschoice.com/2005/cc1806/corgan1806.html|archive-date=September 5, 2008|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref> as well as [[gnosticism]].<ref name="flynn"/> 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.everythingfromheretothere.com/2009/09/21/jeshua-my-lord/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317221249/http://www.everythingfromheretothere.com/2009/09/21/jeshua-my-lord/|archive-date=March 17, 2010|title=Everything From Here To There|url-status=usurped|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20091108052049/http://www.everythingfromheretothere.com/2009/11/04/steps-across-the-way/]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2012/06/24/155599404/smashing-pumpkins-making-peace-with-the-immediate-past|title=The Smashing Pumpkins: Making Peace With The Immediate Past|date=June 24, 2012|work=NPR.org|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</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>{{cite magazine|first=Guy|last=Mankowski|url=http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/cherubs-zeros-glass-children-swans-symbolism-in-lyrics-of-the-smashing-pumpkins/|title=Cherubs, Zeros, Glass Children & Swans- Symbolism in Lyrics of The Smashing Pumpkins|magazine=[[3:AM Magazine]]|date=April 24, 2018|access-date=April 24, 2018}}</ref> In an interview on the ''[[Howard Stern Show]]'', Corgan said he had an encounter with a person who had the ability to [[shapeshifting|shapeshift]], though he later stated it could have been a hallucination.<ref>{{cite web |title=SMASHING PUMPKINS ON WHAT IT TOOK TO GET THE BAND BACK TOGETHER: 'WE'RE HERE BECAUSE WE WANT TO PLAY' |url=https://www.howardstern.com/show/2018/6/12/smashing-pumpkins-what-it-took-get-band-back-together/ |website=howardstern.com |date=June 12, 2018 |publisher=SiriusXM |access-date=August 14, 2018}}</ref>

===Family=== Corgan's mother Martha died in December 1996. The song "For Martha", from ''[[Adore (The Smashing Pumpkins album)|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 (Chicago)|Riverview Park]] is featured on the flipside of the ''[[Siamese Dream]]'' booklet.<ref>{{cite web|first=Billy|last=Corgan|title=The Confessions of Billy Corgan: In the Shadows of Ruins|url=http://billycorgan.livejournal.com/2005/05/30/|website=[[Livejournal]]|date=May 30, 2005|url-status=live|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091222215150/http://billycorgan.livejournal.com/2005/05/30/|archive-date=December 22, 2009}}</ref>

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

=== Romantic relationships === In 1991, Corgan briefly dated musician and actress [[Courtney Love]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cross |first1=Charles R. |title=Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain |date=August 15, 2001 |publisher=Hyperion |location=New York |isbn=9780786865055 |page=182 |edition=1st }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Corgan |first1=Billy |title=The Return of Courtney Love |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0958172/ |publisher=More4 (Channel 4, UK) |access-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317162556/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0958172/ |archive-date=March 17, 2023 |language=English |format=video |date=September 26, 2006 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</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 (band)|Hole]]'s new single.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Corgan |first1=Billy |title=The Howard Stern Show, Dec. 9, 2014 |url=https://soundcloud.com/howardstern/smashingpumpkins_courtneylove |website=Soundcloud |publisher=SirusXM |access-date=17 March 2023}}</ref> Their relationship ended on October 12, 1991, when Love found out that Corgan had another relationship.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cross |first1=Charles R. |title=Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain |date=August 15, 2001 |publisher=Hyperion |location=New York |isbn=9780786865055 |page=199 |edition=1st }}</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>{{cite magazine|first=Chris|last=Mundy|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/inside-the-smashing-pumpkins-double-platinum-soap-opera-82390/|title=Inside the Smashing Pumpkins' Double-Platinum Soap Opera|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|location=New York City|date=April 21, 1994|access-date=August 23, 2018}}</ref> Corgan and Fabian separated in late 1995. Corgan filed for divorce in December 1996 on grounds of "irreconcilable differences,"<ref>''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' article: "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-12-29-9612290125-story.html 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">{{cite magazine|first=Craig|last=Marks|url=http://blamo.org/newsarchive.php?id=1526|title=Zero Worship|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|location=Los Angeles, California|date=June 1996|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202222544/http://blamo.org/newsarchive.php?id=1526|archive-date=February 2, 2009}}</ref> only allowing that it was "unhappy."<ref>{{cite interview|last=Corgan |first=Billy |subject-link=Billy Corgan |interviewer=[[Howard Stern]] |title=Billy Corgan on the Howard Stern Show|work=[[The Howard Stern Show]] |location=New York City|date=August 3, 1998 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIjNAomyxsU| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/JIjNAomyxsU| archive-date=2021-10-30}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 2005 he described the circumstances of his marriage in depth via his personal [[blog]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Billy|last=Corgan|url=https://billycorgan.livejournal.com/tag/confessions|title=Following the Moon|website=Billy blog: Confessions|date=July 1, 2005|access-date=August 23, 2018}}</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>{{YouTube|id=neC8TzeR0tg|title=Corgan, Billy. "Blue Room Interview, Part I." Recorded 2005.}} {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neC8TzeR0tg |title=YouTube |website=[[YouTube]] |access-date=July 27, 2016 |archive-date=August 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811233924/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neC8TzeR0tg |url-status=bot: unknown }}</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 Courtney Love and her daughter [[Frances Bean Cobain]]. According to Love, he had his own wing in her Hollywood Hills mansion.<ref>{{cite news|author=Friedman, Roger|date=June 22, 2006|title=Courtney Love to Play London's West End|format=http|publisher=Fox News|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/courtney-love-to-play-londons-west-end|access-date=June 1, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313193325/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C200533%2C00.html|archive-date=March 13, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Two years later, Love criticized him publicly over his alleged refusal to attend her daughter's [[sweet sixteen (birthday)|sweet 16]] party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/07/14/courtney_love_slams_billy_corgan_over_pa|title=Courtney Love Slams Billy Corgan Over Party|website=Starpulse.com|date=July 14, 2018|access-date=August 23, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607014421/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/07/14/courtney_love_slams_billy_corgan_over_pa|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</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>{{cite web|first=Daniel|last= Kreps|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/14639/82894|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629224025/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/14639/82894|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2010|title=Billy Corgan Lashes Out at Courtney Love Over 'Nobody's Daughter'|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |location=New York City|date=April 27, 2010|access-date=July 26, 2011}}</ref> In 2008, he blamed his dedication to music for what he called "a bad marriage and seven bad girlfriends in a row".<ref>{{cite news|first=Greg|last=Kot|author-link=Greg Kot|url=http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2008/12/billy-corgan-di.html#more|title=Billy Corgan dishes on the Smashing Pumpkins: The past is dead to me|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006003504/http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2008/12/billy-corgan-di.html#more|archive-date=October 6, 2013}}</ref> The two eventually reconciled, and Love was invited to perform at Smashing Pumpkins 30th Anniversary Show.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Legaspi|first=Althea|date=2018-07-31|title=Smashing Pumpkins Tap Courtney Love, Peter Hook For Special 30th Anniversary Show|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/smashing-pumpkins-tap-courtney-love-peter-hook-for-special-30th-anniversary-show-705142/|access-date=2022-02-02|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}</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>{{cite web |last1=Corgan |first1=Billy |title=Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan has a lot to say about Spotify, Courtney Love and our 'dystopia' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-11-24/smashing-pumpkins-billy-corgan-cyr |website=L.A. Times |date=November 24, 2020 |access-date=17 March 2023 }}</ref>

In 2009, Corgan was linked with pop star [[Jessica Simpson]].<ref>{{cite magazine|first=KC|last=Baker| url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20326237,00.html|title=Jessica Simpson and Billy Corgan Are Taking It Slow|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|location=New York City|date=December 10, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002334/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20326237%2C00.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</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>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/billy-corgan-says-veronicas-jessica-and-lisa-origliasso-could-go-solo/story-e6frfmqr-1225924132819|title=Billy Corgan says Veronicas' Jessica and Lisa Origliasso could go solo|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|date=September 15, 2010|access-date=September 24, 2010|archive-date=September 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918121345/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/billy-corgan-says-veronicas-jessica-and-lisa-origliasso-could-go-solo/story-e6frfmqr-1225924132819|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite interview|last=Corgan |first=Billy |subject-link=Billy Corgan |interviewer=[[Howard Stern]] |title=SHOW RUNDOWN: JUNE, 19, 2012|work=[[The Howard Stern Show]] |publisher=[[Sirius XM Satellite Radio]]|location=New York City|date=June 19, 2012}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/billy-corgan-welcomes-son-augustus-juppiter-corgan-w160199|title=Billy Corgan Welcomes Son, Augustus Juppiter Corgan, With Chloe Mendel|work=[[Us Weekly]]|date=December 22, 2015|access-date=December 22, 2015|first=Will|last=Mendelson}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/smashing-pumpkins-billy-corgan-daughter-announcement-philomena-8478118/|title=Billy Corgan Announces Birth of Daughter Philomena Clementine|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=October 2, 2015|access-date=October 4, 2018|first=Brooke|last=Bajgrowicz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan Welcomes Baby No. 3 with Chloé Mendel: 'Happy, Healthy and Nursing with Gusto' (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/smashing-pumpkins-billy-corgan-welcomes-third-baby-with-wife-chloe-mendel-exclusive-11699644 |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=People.com |language=en}}</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">{{Cite news |last=Coscarelli |first=Joe |date=22 March 2018 |title=Smashing Pumpkins Say They're Happy Now. Can They Keep It Together? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/22/arts/music/smashing-pumpkins-reunion-billy-corgan-interview.html |access-date=11 January 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> After the election of [[Barack Obama]] in [[2008 United States presidential election|2008]], Corgan said, "I'm very proud of my country right now for doing the right thing."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q47FjfbWYPs| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/q47FjfbWYPs| archive-date=2021-10-30|title=Billy Corgan on Obama|work=YouTube| date=November 5, 2008|access-date=October 27, 2014}}{{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>{{cite news|url=http://piersmorgan.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/20/billy-corgan-on-barack-obama-he-ran-on-a-moral-compass-agenda-but-what-happened/|title=Billy Corgan on Barack Obama: "He ran on a moral compass agenda ... but, what happened?" – Piers Morgan – CNN.com Blogs|publisher=Piersmorgan.blogs.cnn.com|access-date=July 9, 2012|date=June 20, 2012|archive-date=June 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628015701/http://piersmorgan.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/20/billy-corgan-on-barack-obama-he-ran-on-a-moral-compass-agenda-but-what-happened/|url-status=dead}}</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">{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/25/billy_corgan_hearts_conspiracy_theorist/|title=Billy Corgan Hearts Conspiracy Theorist|last=Seitz-Wald|first=Alex|date=March 25, 2013|website=[[Salon.com]]|location=San Francisco, California|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330132122/http://www.salon.com/2013/03/25/billy_corgan_hearts_conspiracy_theorist/|archive-date=March 30, 2016|url-status=live|access-date=March 13, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/board/index.php?showtopic=1750|title=The Official Smashing Pumpkins|access-date=October 27, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315073300/http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/board/index.php?showtopic=1750|archive-date=March 15, 2012}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/pages/news/billy-corgan-speaks-at-congressional-hearing|title=Smashing Pumpkins|publisher=Smashing Pumpkins|access-date=July 26, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113224745/http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/pages/news/billy-corgan-speaks-at-congressional-hearing|archive-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref>

In an interview with radio host and [[Conspiracy theory|conspiracy theorist]] [[Alex Jones]] in 2016, Corgan voiced discontent with "[[social justice warrior]]s", comparing them to [[Maoism|Maoists]], cult members, and the [[Ku Klux Klan]], and calling their actions a threat to freedom of speech.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/billy-corgan-compares-social-justice-warriors-to-cults-maoists-kkk-20160419|title=Billy Corgan Compares 'Social Justice Warriors' to Cults, Maoists, KKK|last1=Blistein|first1=Jon|date=April 19, 2016|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=April 20, 2016}}</ref> In 2018, he called himself a "[[free-market]] [[libertarianism|libertarian]] [[capitalism|capitalist]]".<ref name=spin-talks />

===Diet=== Corgan adopted a [[pescetarian]] diet in 2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com|title=The Official Smashing Pumpkins|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</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, Illinois|Highland Park]];<ref>Bendersky, Ari. "[http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2011/12/29/billy-corgan-opening-chinoise-vibed-tea-house.php Billy Corgan Opening 1930s Chinese-style Tea House this Spring in Highland Park"], ''Chicago.eater.com''</ref> the tea house closed in 2018 and reopened in a bigger space in downtown Highland Park in 2020.<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/billy-corgan-closes-madame-zuzus-tea-shop-8239270/ |title='Madame Zuzu's closes' : Billy Corgan closes his tea shop|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2020/09/billy-corgan-reopens-madame-zuzus-tea-shop-in-new-location/ |title='Madame Zuzu's Reopens' : Billy Corgan reopens his tea shop|website=Spin.com|date=September 13, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2011/12/29/billy-corgan-opening-chinoise-vibed-tea-house.php |title=Billy Corgan Opening 1930s Chinese-style Tea House this Spring in Highland Park - Coming Attractions|website=Chicago.eater.com|date=December 29, 2011 |access-date=January 30, 2012 |archive-date=August 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807031935/http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2011/12/29/billy-corgan-opening-chinoise-vibed-tea-house.php |url-status=bot: unknown }}. Eater.com. December 29, 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/47840-billy-corgan-opens-tea-shop/|title=Billy Corgan Opens Tea Shop|last=Battan|first=Carrie|date=September 13, 2012 |publisher=PitchforkMedia|access-date=February 20, 2013}}</ref>

==Collaborations== [[File:Mark Tulin and Billy Corgan 2009.jpg|alt=Mark Tulin—a middle-aged Caucasian male with long brown hair wearing a white shirt and black vest—plays bass guitar and smiles while Billy Corgan—a middle-aged Caucasian male wearing a dark green hat and red-and-black striped shirt with a brown jacket—plays electric guitar to his left.|thumb|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 (band)|the Frogs]], and [[Catherine (alternative rock band)|Catherine]]. He shared songwriting credit on several songs on [[Hole (band)|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 (band)|Marilyn Manson]] during the recording of the album ''[[Mechanical Animals]]''. He has produced three soundtracks for the movies ''[[Ransom (1996 film)|Ransom]]'' (1996), ''[[Stigmata (film)|Stigmata]]'' (1999) and ''[[Spun]]'' (2002) in which he appeared as a doctor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0283003/fullcredits#cast|title=Spun (2002)|work=IMDb|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</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 (Pink Floyd 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 (Breaking Benjamin album)|We Are Not Alone]]''), [[Taproot (band)|Taproot]] (for ''[[Blue-Sky Research]]'', 2005), and [[Sky Saxon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/pages/news/2906|title=The Official Smashing Pumpkins|access-date=October 27, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301145202/http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/pages/news/2906|archive-date=March 1, 2012}}</ref>

In 2010, Corgan claimed co-writing credit (with ex-girlfriend [[Courtney Love]]) on at least two of the songs on [[Hole (band)|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>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2010/03/courtney_love_wants_to_be_pals.html|title=Courtney Love Wants to Be Pals With Billy Corgan Again|last=Barshad|first=Amos|website=Vulture|date=March 17, 2010 |language=en-us|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hole-reveal-track-list-cover-for-april-27s-nobodys-daughter-71171/|title=Hole Reveal Track List, Cover for April 27's "Nobody's Daughter"|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=March 26, 2010|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</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 (musician)|Robert Smith]] from [[the Cure]] teamed up with Corgan to do a cover of the [[Bee Gees]]' "[[To Love Somebody (Bee Gees song)|To Love Somebody]]". In 2007, Corgan provided vocals on the [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]]' song "The Cross", on their album ''[[Humanity: Hour I]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=72453 |title=SCORPIONS: New CD To Feature Guest Appearance By BILLY CORGAN |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=July 26, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016181122/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=72453 |archive-date=October 16, 2011 }}</ref> In 2010 Corgan featured on [[Ray Davies]]' album ''[[See My Friends (album)|See My Friends]]'' on the album's closer, a [[Mashup (music)|mash-up]] of [[the Kinks]] songs "[[All Day and All of the Night]]" and [[Destroyer (The Kinks song)|"Destroyer"]]. He also contributed his guitar work on "Did You Miss Me" by [[the Veronicas]]. Corgan has also collaborated with [[Tony Iommi]], [[Blindside (band)|Blindside]], [[David Bowie]] (singing "[[All the Young Dudes]]" with Bowie at Bowie's 50th birthday party), [[New Order (band)|New Order]] and [[Marianne Faithfull]]. Corgan has co-written several songs with [[Blue October]] frontman [[Justin Furstenfeld]]. So far two of their co-written compositions "Don't Say it Wasn't Love" and "Sobriety" have appeared on the Blue October albums ''[[Spinning The Truth Around]]'' Parts I and II, respectively.

In July 2025, Corgan performed as a member of the house band at [[Back to the Beginning]], singing on covers of "[[Breaking the Law]] and "[[Vol. 4 (Black Sabbath album)|Snowblind]]".

==Musical style and influences== Corgan's guitar playing incorporates elements of [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] and [[grunge]]. His styles range from abrasive to melodic. He [[Downtuned|downtunes]] his guitar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mezydlo |first=Jeff |date=2023-12-20 |title=20 iconic singers who were also the best musician in their band |url=https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/vocalists_who_might_be_the_best_musician_in_their_band/s1__39703114 |access-date=2025-12-23 |website=Yardbarker |language=en}}</ref>

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

{{blockquote|text=Eight years old, I put on the ''[[Black Sabbath (album)|Black Sabbath]]'' record, and my life is forever changed. It sounded so heavy. It rattled the bones. I wanted that feeling. With [[Bauhaus (band)|Bauhaus]] and [[the Cure]], it was the ability to create a mood and an atmosphere. The air gets heavier. With [[Jimi Hendrix]] it was the ability to translate this other level of guitar. [[Cheap Trick]]—it was a vocal influence. Although [[Tom Petersson]] once told me that [[Rick Nielsen]] called us 'tuneless and nonmelodic.'<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.starla.org/articles/rs94.htm|title=Rolling Stone Interview, 1994|website=Starla.org|access-date=June 8, 2007}}</ref>}}

Corgan wrote six articles for ''[[Guitar World]]'' in 1995, and his [[guitar solo|solo]]s 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Ahx65mpbf9fco|title=Pisces Iscariot|access-date=October 7, 2006|last=Prato|first=Greg|format=http|work=Allmusic|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213051514/http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg|archive-date=December 13, 2006}}</ref> while ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called him and his Smashing Pumpkins bandmates "ruthless virtuosos". His solo for "[[Soma (song)|Soma]]" was No. 24 on ''Rolling Stone''{{'s}} list of the top guitar solos.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 6, 2007|title=The 25 Coolest Guitar Solos|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/08/06/the-25-coolest-guitar-solos/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017021201/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/08/06/the-25-coolest-guitar-solos/#comments|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 17, 2007|access-date=August 12, 2006}}</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>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9IX4BOE7ag| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/j9IX4BOE7ag| archive-date=2021-10-30|title=Billy Corgan und Uli Jon Roth (1/6)|work=YouTube| date=January 15, 2010|access-date=October 27, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Tony Iommi]], [[Ritchie Blackmore]], [[Leslie West]], [[Dimebag Darrell]] and [[Robin Trower]].<ref name="uguitar">{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/smashing_pumpkins_there_are_always_more_riffs_than_words.html |title=Smashing Pumpkins: 'There Are Always More Riffs Than Words' |publisher=Ultimate-guitar.com |access-date=October 27, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027154534/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/smashing_pumpkins_there_are_always_more_riffs_than_words.html |archive-date=October 27, 2014 }}</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>[http://www.eqmag.com/article/cutting-room-floor/sep-08/87047] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917000610/http://www.eqmag.com/article/cutting-room-floor/sep-08/87047|date=September 17, 2008}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/international/32869/Billy-Corgan-Ill-piss-on-fucking-Radiohead|title=I'll Piss on Fucking Radiohead|access-date=September 20, 2012|last=Smith|first=Sarah|date=June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618032313/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/international/32869/Billy-Corgan-Ill-piss-on-fucking-Radiohead|archive-date=June 18, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Siouxsie and the Banshees]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crestfallen.com/2011/10/28/billy-corgan-plays-x-tracks-while-hosting-siriusxm-lithium-station/|title=Billy Corgan plays X tracks while hosting SiriusXM Lithium station|work=crestfallen.com|date=October 28, 2011|access-date=July 14, 2015|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130831121706/http://www.crestfallen.com/2011/10/28/billy-corgan-plays-x-tracks-while-hosting-siriusxm-lithium-station/|archive-date=August 31, 2013}}</ref> [[Rush (band)|Rush]], [[Pink Floyd]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[Metallica]], [[Slayer]], [[Queen (band)|Queen]], [[Electric Light Orchestra]], [[Dinosaur Jr.]], [[My Bloody Valentine (band)|My Bloody Valentine]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.furious.com/Perfect/mbv.html|title=My Bloody Valentine|access-date=May 12, 2008|last=McGlinchey|first=Joe|date=January 1996|magazine=[[Perfect Sound Forever (magazine)|Perfect Sound Forever]]|quote=Also noted is their influence on Billy Corgan, who recruited the engineer of 'Loveless', Alan Moulder, for the latest Smashing Pumpkins album.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509100805/http://www.furious.com/perfect/mbv.html|archive-date=May 9, 2008}}</ref> and [[Spiritualized]].<ref name="Listessa"/> Corgan stated in 1997 that upon hearing the [[U2]] song "[[New Year's Day (U2 song)|New Year's Day]]", at 16, "[U2] quickly became the most important band in the world to me."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.starla.org/articles/u2.htm|title=Billy Corgan Interviews U2|publisher=Starla.org|access-date=July 16, 2015}}</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. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160207083025/https://twitter.com/LiveNation/status/121009652145201152 Twitter Q&A]}}. October 3, 2011.</ref>

==Instruments== [[File:Billy Corgan 24.05.07.JPG|thumb|upright|Corgan performing in 2007]] During the ''Gish''-''Siamese Dream'' era, Corgan played a customized 1957 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 1974 Strat that was stolen shortly after ''Gish'' was completed. Corgan was reunited with this guitar in early 2019.<ref>{{Citation|title=The Smashing Pumpkins - Return of the Gish Guitar| date=February 26, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyjBDmEcKAE| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/CyjBDmEcKAE| archive-date=2021-10-30|language=en|access-date=January 18, 2020}}{{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 (The Smashing Pumpkins song)|Tonight Tonight]]" he used a 1972 [[Gibson ES-335]]. He is also known to use a 1974 Strat which has since been painted baby blue. That guitar was used on the recordings for "[[Bullet with Butterfly Wings]]" and also "[[Muzzle (song)|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 Guitar Research|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>{{cite web|url=http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0115002806|title=Fender Artist Series – Billy Corgan Stratocaster|access-date=October 8, 2015|website=[[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080702072711/http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0115002806|archive-date=July 2, 2008}}</ref> This new guitar was made to Corgan's exact specs to create his famous mid-1990s 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>{{Cite book|title=Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars: An Identification Guide for American Fretted Instruments|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M-3HoVgxFBIC&q=billy%2520corgan%2520%2757%2520Reissue%2520strat&pg=PA105|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|date=January 1, 2010|isbn=9780879309442|first1=George|last1=Gruhn|first2=Walter|last2=Carter}}</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 [[Gibson SG|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>{{cite web|title=Stompland| date=June 16, 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZemTcTyJKs| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/YZemTcTyJKs| archive-date=2021-10-30|publisher=Youtube|access-date=April 19, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 2016, [[Reverend guitars|Reverend Guitars]] released the BC-1 Billy Corgan signature guitar featuring Railhammer Billy Corgan signature pickups.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reverendguitars.com/guitars/billy-corgan-signature|title=Reverend Guitars - Billy Corgan Signature|website=Reverendguitars.com|access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref> The Reverend Billy Corgan Signature [[Terz guitar|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>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gearnews.com/namm-2018-reverend-billy-corgan-terz/|title=NAMM 2018: Reverend Guitars Billy Corgan Terz model - gearnews.com|date=January 26, 2018|work=gearnews.com|access-date=February 13, 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref>

Corgan is noted for having used [[Marshall Amplification|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>{{Cite news|url=https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Rig_Rundown_Smashing_Pumpkins_Billy_Corgan|title=Rig Rundown - Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan|access-date=December 16, 2017|language=en}}</ref> In August 2017, he sold a large collection of instruments and gear used throughout his career via music gear website Reverb.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://reverb.com/news/billy-corgan-artist-shop-preview|title=New Reverb Shop Will Let You Own a Piece of Billy Corgan History|website=reverb.com|date=July 11, 2017 |language=en|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/billy-corgan-to-sell-guitars-amps-used-on-smashing-pumpkins-albums-200264/|title=Billy Corgan to Sell Guitars, Amps Used on Smashing Pumpkins Albums|last1=Leight|first1=Elias|date=July 13, 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</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>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-26|title=Carstens Amplification Unveils Signature Billy Corgan Grace Amp|url=https://www.premierguitar.com/carstens-amplification-unveils-signature-billy-corgan-grace-amp|access-date=2021-05-18|website=Premier Guitar|language=en}}</ref>

==Discography== {{see also|The Smashing Pumpkins discography|Zwan#Discography}}

===Albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:15em;"|Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Album details ! scope="col" colspan="10"|Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Sales |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Billboard 200|US]]<br/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/billy-corgan/chart-history/tlp/|title=Billy Corgan Chart History (Billboard 200)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 24, 2017}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://australian-charts.com/search.asp?cat=a&artist=Billy+Corgan&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts |title=Billy Corgan |publisher=Australian-charts.com |access-date=October 27, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128115042/http://australian-charts.com/search.asp?cat=a&artist=Billy+Corgan&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts |archive-date=November 28, 2014}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|FRA]]<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lescharts.com/search.asp?search=Billy+Corgan&cat=a|title=Billy Corgan|publisher=Lescharts.com|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[GfK Entertainment charts|GER]]<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.de/suche.asp?search=Billy+Corgan&x=9&y=0&country=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907190813/http://www.officialcharts.de/suche.asp?search=Billy+Corgan&x=9&y=0&country=de|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 7, 2014|title=charts.de|publisher=Officialcharts.de|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Oricon Albums Chart|JPN]]<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/134132/ranking/cd_album/|title=ビリー・コーガン|work=ORICON STYLE|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Dutch Album Top 100|NLD]]<br/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?search=Billy+Corgan&cat=a |title=Billy Corgan |publisher=Dutchcharts.nl |access-date=October 27, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102025856/http://dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?search=Billy+Corgan&cat=a |archive-date=November 2, 2014}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Official New Zealand Music Chart|NZ]]<br/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://charts.nz/search.asp?search=Billy+Corgan&cat=a |title=Billy Corgan |publisher=charts.nz |access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Sverigetopplistan|SWE]]<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://swedishcharts.com/search.asp?search=Billy+Corgan&cat=a|title=Billy Corgan|publisher=Swedishcharts.com|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Swiss Hitparade|SWI]]<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitparade.ch/search.asp?search=Billy%20Corgan&cat=a |title=Billy Corgan |publisher=Hitparade.ch |access-date=October 27, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908103120/http://hitparade.ch/search.asp?search=Billy%20Corgan&cat=a |archive-date=September 8, 2014}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[UK Albums Chart|UK]]<br/><ref name="uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK2005.HTM|title=Chart Log UK|publisher=Zobbel.de|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"|''[[TheFutureEmbrace]]'' | *Released: June 21, 2005 *Label: [[Reprise Records|Reprise]] *Formats: [[Compact disc|CD]], [[Music download|digital download]] | 31 || 24 || 73 || 67 || 49 || 77 || 25 || 45 || 82 || 89 | *US: 69,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/35839-smashing-pumpkins-reunite-sort-of|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119091549/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/35839-smashing-pumpkins-reunite-sort-of|archive-date=January 19, 2008|title=Pitchfork: Smashing Pumpkins Reunite (Sort Of)|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"|''Aegea'' | *Released: May 5, 2014 *Label: Martha's Music *Formats: [[LP record|LP]] | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"|''[[Ogilala]]'' | *Released: October 13, 2017 *Label: Martha's Music/BMG *Formats: CD, digital download, LP | 183 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 86 || — | |- ! scope="row"|''[[Cotillions (album)|Cotillions]]'' | *Released: November 22, 2019 *Label: Martha's Music *Formats: CD, digital download, LP | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- | colspan="13" style="font-size:90%" |"–" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}

===Singles=== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of singles, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:15em;"|Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Year ! scope="col"|Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br/><ref name="uk"/> |- ! scope="row"| "Walking Shade" | 2005 | 74 | ''TheFutureEmbrace'' |- ! scope="row"| "Aeronaut" | rowspan="2"| 2017 | — | rowspan="2"| ''Ogilala'' |- ! scope="row"|"The Spaniards" | — |- | colspan="20" style="font-size:90%"|"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}

===As featured artist=== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of singles, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:15em;"|Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Year ! scope="col"|Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|US<br />Main.<br />Rock]]<br /><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Code Orange Chart History |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/code-orange/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 12, 2023}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Take Shape" <br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(with [[Code Orange (band)|Code Orange]])</span> | 2023 | 35 | ''[[The Above (Code Orange album)|The Above]]'' |- | colspan="20" style="font-size:90%"|"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}

===Soundtrack work=== <!-- Only list Billy's solo work here, not anything credited to the Smashing Pumpkins ;) --> *1996: ''[[Ransom (1996 film)|Ransom]]'' *1997: ''[[First Love, Last Rites (film)#Soundtrack|First Love, Last Rites]]'' ("When I Was Born, I Was Bored") *1999: ''[[Stigmata (film)|Stigmata]]'' *2000: ''[[Any Given Sunday]]'' (Corgan is credited on "[[Be a Man (song)|Be A Man]]" by [[Hole (band)|Hole]]) *2002: ''[[Spun]]'' (Corgan wrote original songs for this soundtrack) *2006: "[[Dance of the Dead (Masters of Horror)|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 (composer)|Robert Duncan]]) *2018: ''[[Rampage (2018 film)|Rampage]]'' – "The Rage" Performed by [[Kid Cudi]] featuring vocals by Corgan (from the [[Smashing Pumpkins]] track [[Bullet with Butterfly Wings]])

===Albums featured=== <!-- Only list Billy's solo work here, not anything credited to the Smashing Pumpkins ;) --> *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 (band)|The Frogs]], The EP is produced by Corgan as "Johhny Goat") *1997: ''[[Troublizing (Ric Ocasek album)|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 (band)|Hole]], Corgan is credited as co-writer of "Celebrity Skin", "Hit So Hard", "Malibu", "Dying" and "Petals") *1998: "[[I Belong to You (Lenny Kravitz song)|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 (band)|Marilyn Manson]], Corgan performed backing vocals on ''Speed of Pain'', although not credited, he is thanked in the album credits. *1999: ''[[Paraphernalia (album)|Paraphernalia]]'' (by [[Enuff Z'Nuff]], Corgan is credited as guitarist on the song "Everything Works If You Let It") *2000: ''[[Iommi (album)|Iommi]]'' (by [[Tony Iommi]], Corgan is credited as writer of and vocalist/bassist/additional guitarist on "Black Oblivion") *2001: ''[[Get Ready (New Order album)|Get Ready]]'' (by [[New Order (band)|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 (Lisa Marie Presley song)|Lights Out]]" single (by [[Lisa Marie Presley]], Corgan is credited as writer of "Savior") *2004: ''[[We Are Not Alone (Breaking Benjamin album)|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 (band)|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 (band)|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 (band)|Scorpions]], Corgan is contributing voice on "The Cross") *2010: ''[[Nobody's Daughter]]'' (by [[Hole (band)|Hole]], Corgan is credited as co-writer of "Pacific Coast Highway", "Samantha" and "Loser Dust") *2010: ''[[See My Friends (album)|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 (Korn album)|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 (album)|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 (Phantogram album)|Ceremony]]'' (by [[Phantogram (band)|Phantogram]], Corgan is credited as co-writer of "Into Happiness" and "Love Me Now") *2021: [[Bodies (AFI album)|''Bodies'']] (by [[AFI (band)|AFI]], Corgan is credited as co-writer of "Dulcería")

==Awards== * '''[[Women's Wrestling Hall of Fame]]''' ** [[Women's Wrestling Hall of Fame#WWHOF Awards|WWHOF Award]] (1 time) *** Historian Award (2025)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{sister project links|d=Q311382|n=no|wikt=no|s=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|b=no|c=Category:Billy Corgan}} *[http://www.smashingpumpkins.com The Smashing Pumpkins official website] *{{discogs artist}} *{{IMDb name|4842}} *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160129073917/http://billycorgan.livejournal.com/ BillyCorgan.Livejournal.com]}}&nbsp;– An extensive 7-year archive of Billy's journal entries, including ''The Confessions of Billy Corgan'', solo work and the revival of the Pumpkins. *[https://archive.org/details/BillyCorgan Billy Corgan collection] at the [[Internet Archive]]'s live music archive *[http://www.alittlepoetry.com/billycorgan.html Poems by Billy Corgan at alittlepoetry.com] Three poems from ''Blinking With Fists''

{{Billy Corgan|state=expanded}} {{The Smashing Pumpkins}} {{Zwan}} {{National Wrestling Alliance}} {{Hole}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Corgan, Billy}} [[Category:Billy Corgan| ]] [[Category:1967 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:20th-century American guitarists]] [[Category:20th-century American singers]] [[Category:21st-century American guitarists]] [[Category:21st-century American singers]] [[Category:American alternative rock guitarists]] [[Category:American alternative rock singers]] [[Category:American alternative rock musicians]] [[Category:American people of Irish descent]] [[Category:American people of Flemish descent]] [[Category:American people of Italian descent]] [[Category:American libertarians]] [[Category:American bloggers]] [[Category:American former Christians]] [[Category:American male bloggers]] [[Category:American male guitarists]] [[Category:American male poets]] [[Category:American male singers]] [[Category:American male songwriters]] [[Category:American music video directors]] [[Category:American rock songwriters]] [[Category:Converts to Buddhism from Roman Catholicism]] [[Category:Guitarists from Chicago]] [[Category:American lead guitarists]] [[Category:National Wrestling Alliance]] [[Category:People with mood disorders]] [[Category:People with obsessive–compulsive disorder]] [[Category:Professional wrestling promoters]] [[Category:Singers from Chicago]] [[Category:Songwriters from Illinois]] [[Category:Starchildren members]] [[Category:Syncretists]] [[Category:The Smashing Pumpkins members]] [[Category:Total Nonstop Action Wrestling executives]] [[Category:American veganism activists]] [[Category:Writers from Chicago]] [[Category:Zwan members]] [[Category:American writers with disabilities]] [[Category:Singers with disabilities]] [[Category:American Buddhists]] [[Category:American people of English descent]]