Billy Corgan pissed off at people: "Most people don't even recognize my contributions as a guitar player"

[SexxAtraxxion]

https://consequence.net/2024/11/billy-c ... yer-lists/

Smashing Pumpkins singer, songwriter, and guitarist Billy Corgan has taken a shot at lists that rank the greatest guitar players of all time, feeling that he’s either ranked too low or snubbed from the lists altogether.

In an interview with Guitar World, Corgan expressed feeling under appreciated from the publications who compile these lists, guitar lovers, and even Smashing Pumpkins fans. “Most people don’t even recognize my contributions as a guitar player,” Corgan told Guitar World. “They don’t even assume I’m the one playing a lot of the guitar.”

He went on, saying that his guitar skills are worthy of a bit more recognition. “You have these silly lists that come out about the greatest guitar players; I usually don’t even make those lists,” he said. “Or they’ll put me behind somebody who I could play circles around. I don’t mean to denigrate the person in front of me or the people in front of me, but come on, you know? I’m enough of a guitar player to know who’s a great guitar player.”

Corgan also mentioned that his responsibilities as a songwriter and bandleader are overlooked due to his role as frontman. “I’m writing the song, lyrics, melodies, arrangements and playing most of the complicated guitar. And I’m capable of doing a solo on top of that. I think that’s hard for people to process… They don’t want to believe one person can do all those things.”

And lastly, Corgan once again maintained that he is someone who knows great guitar playing when they hear it. “I’ve played on stage with George Lynch and Uli Jon Roth, two of the greatest guitar players in history. I sat for hours across from Eddie Van Halen at 5150 with my jaw open, watching Eddie play, okay? My father was a great guitar player. I’ve got no problem acknowledging some of the greatest guitar players ever,” Corgan said before concluding, “I would never even put myself in their company, [but] there’s a lot of people who pretend to play guitar. I certainly have no problem believing I’m better than a lot of them.”

While Guitar World notes that Corgan did indeed place on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time, he notably did not appear on Rolling Stone’s similar list from last year. As for Consequence, we have not yet published a list of the greatest axemen in history… but if and when we do, it’s nice to know Corgan will probably give it a quick scan to see if his name is on it (we did, however, publish our lists of the best bassists and best drummers of all time this year).

Meanwhile, the Smashing Pumpkins just embarked on a November tour of Latin America, while Corgan recently announced a brief December solo tour of Australia. Aghori Mhori Mei, the Smashing Pumpkins’ 13th album, arrived in August.

[CrankerBait]

Anybody who knows even a little about the Smashing Pumpkins is aware that Corgan is a very good guitarist who played most of the guitars on the albums. He's the leader of the band, lead singer and he has always written most of the material. The fans, even casual fans, know these things. People in the music biz know the same. Not sure why he cares what "most" people recognize.

[NineteenEightyFour]

I remember when he tried to make everyone start calling him William, because he felt like he was all grown up.

[Spongie]

I don’t blame the guy for advocating for himself. We all have to do it. Part of being a professional.

[alexleehooker]

He should have played better on his own records then

[Velvis]

Anybody who knows even a little about the Smashing Pumpkins is aware that Corgan is a very good guitarist who played most of the guitars on the albums. He's the leader of the band, lead singer and he has always written most of the material. The fans, even casual fans, know these things. People in the music biz know the same. Not sure why he cares what "most" people recognize.

As someone only with passing knowledge of the band (I like a few of their songs and they are probably my favorite 90s band which admittedly isn't saying much) I'd have completely assumed as the lead singer, band spokesperson, and one of the two guitarists that he was the rhythm guitarist. Is that not the case?

And when I think of those lists, I think about the lead guitarists.

[FreddyFender]

He manufactured a band and hired to cool-looking alternative people to occupy the bass and guitar spots, rather than be a solo artist with faceless backup musicians, but he played all the bass and guitar on the records.

And ever since he's been mad that people associate the bands prime with the cool-looking guitarist and bassist.

Can't have your cake and eat it too, princess.

[CrankerBait]

Anybody who knows even a little about the Smashing Pumpkins is aware that Corgan is a very good guitarist who played most of the guitars on the albums. He's the leader of the band, lead singer and he has always written most of the material. The fans, even casual fans, know these things. People in the music biz know the same. Not sure why he cares what "most" people recognize.

As someone only with passing knowledge of the band (I like a few of their songs and they are probably my favorite 90s band which admittedly isn't saying much) I'd have completely assumed as the lead singer, band spokesperson, and one of the two guitarists that he was the rhythm guitarist. Is that not the case?

And when I think of those lists, I think about the lead guitarists.

That is often the case, but there are some notable exceptions: Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Bonamasso, Justin Hawkins, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, Rivers Cuomo, John Fogerty, SRV, etc.

James Iha and Billy Corgan compliment each other really well, but I think most of the attention grabbing, lead work, especially on the albums, is Corgan.

[Neil Diamond Dave]

There are tons of alt rock guitar heroes who write most of the songs, play a few other instruments on record, and are also the singer and frontman. Thurston Moore, Chris Cornell, and I would even say Kurt Cobain were all very good guitarists and songwriters. I’ll bet they aren’t on these lists either, or are very low. Not sure Billy is any better than them.

[Wild Obsession]

Anybody who knows even a little about the Smashing Pumpkins is aware that Corgan is a very good guitarist who played most of the guitars on the albums. He's the leader of the band, lead singer and he has always written most of the material. The fans, even casual fans, know these things. People in the music biz know the same. Not sure why he cares what "most" people recognize.

Most people recognize that William comes across like an insufferable twat.

[Velvis]

Anybody who knows even a little about the Smashing Pumpkins is aware that Corgan is a very good guitarist who played most of the guitars on the albums. He's the leader of the band, lead singer and he has always written most of the material. The fans, even casual fans, know these things. People in the music biz know the same. Not sure why he cares what "most" people recognize.

As someone only with passing knowledge of the band (I like a few of their songs and they are probably my favorite 90s band which admittedly isn't saying much) I'd have completely assumed as the lead singer, band spokesperson, and one of the two guitarists that he was the rhythm guitarist. Is that not the case?

And when I think of those lists, I think about the lead guitarists.

That is often the case, but there are some notable exceptions: Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Bonamasso, Justin Hawkins, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, Rivers Cuomo, John Fogerty, SRV, etc.

James Iha and Billy Corgan compliment each other really well, but I think most of the attention grabbing, lead work, especially on the albums, is Corgan.

I think everyone recognizes automatically Clapton, Hendrix, SRV as guitarists.

I think in Corgans case it seems like more of a band and he's the singer/spokesperson. Honestly, I never knew he played lead (again I'm not up on SP other than hearing their hits) and his position in the band as well as his look doesn't scream "lead guitarist" like an EVH or Slash.

The other thing working against him is 90s bands aren't really known for the whole "guitar hero" sound or image.

The Smashing Pumpkins have always been on my list to dig into their catalog as I do really like their hits. Especially compared to the other shit that came out that decade. Maybe this will be the incentive to do so.

[CrankerBait]

Anybody who knows even a little about the Smashing Pumpkins is aware that Corgan is a very good guitarist who played most of the guitars on the albums. He's the leader of the band, lead singer and he has always written most of the material. The fans, even casual fans, know these things. People in the music biz know the same. Not sure why he cares what "most" people recognize.

Most people recognize that William comes across like an insufferable twat.

That he does.

[alleyrulez]

can't say I'm even a casual Corgan fan, but I have to say he's a decent guitarist.

[DemonFilth2001]

Assumed he was the singer and played a bit of rhythm.

[EzyRider]

[Tommy2Tone84]

Overrated as f*ck

[Bono Nettencourt]

"My mom, on the other hand, is 80, but she doesn't live. So I'm trying to find a balance between them. I don't want to be like my mom and live to be 80, and not live. And I don't want to die at 66 like my dad."

Sorry, Eddie.

[pieceofme]

There are tons of alt rock guitar heroes who write most of the songs, play a few other instruments on record, and are also the singer and frontman. Thurston Moore, Chris Cornell, and I would even say Kurt Cobain were all very good guitarists and songwriters. I’ll bet they aren’t on these lists either, or are very low. Not sure Billy is any better than them.

Cobain normally ranks pretty high on these lists. Much to the annoyance of some people who post here

[Ryan81]

I hate Corgan's music, as in I cannot stand Smashing Pumpkins. Their music almost offends me. I also cannot stand his voice. But...I will say I saw an interview with him where he listed his 10 favorite albums and it was a damn good list. It had Judas Priest and even more stunning Dokken on it. Since then I have paid a little more attention to his interviews and I agree with quite a bit of what he says, but I still despise his music. I remember in his interview with Eddie he gave Van Halen II some high praise. I definitely wasn't expecting that one either.

[Shredderpete]

Oh yeah, I interviewed Corgan years ago for a guitar mag and I figured I’d let him talk about guitar stuff, and I cited a few examples of things I thought were innovative. It was a great chat, very positive good-mood Billy. I understand not everybody gets THAT Billy.

[MattleyCrue]

Yes, he is known for his work on everything works if you let it cover with Enuff Z’Nuff!

[Bono Nettencourt]

I hate Corgan's music, as in I cannot stand Smashing Pumpkins. Their music almost offends me. I also cannot stand his voice. But...I will say I saw an interview with him where he listed his 10 favorite albums and it was a damn good list. It had Judas Priest and even more stunning Dokken on it. Since then I have paid a little more attention to his interviews and I agree with quite a bit of what he says, but I still despise his music. I remember in his interview with Eddie he gave Van Halen II some high praise. I definitely wasn't expecting that one either.

He's a big Rush fan too. Their 1st 2 albums are their best. Give Gish another shot.

[Psychobolia.com]

Corgan shreds in 1985.

https://youtu.be/9hYPo2py77A?si=zUZGEcGa8l_AYACL

Damn! Reminds me a bit of Vinnie "Vagina" Vincent.

[Van Ailin']

To my ears, there isn't any "attention grabbing" guitar on SP albums. I like some of the songs and almost always hate the singing. Find the guitar work and tone to be most often uninteresting. Saw them live and though the same thing. One of my least-favorite of that batch of early/mid-90s bands who broke through. In the live concert, drummer Jimmy Chamberlain was very good, though.

[itdoesntmatter]

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by a few of the interviews and clips I’ve seen of Corgan on YouTube recently, I mean personality-wise. Of course, part of its because of them was with Bill Maher and Corgan was just much more likable in comparison. I think the other one was with Rick Beato.

[jorge]

What did he do on the guitar that Mascis
didn't do earlier?

[Bono Nettencourt]

Sold records.

[Mojo]

Despite all his rage, he is still just a brat learning CAGED.

[itdoesntmatter]

There are tons of alt rock guitar heroes who write most of the songs, play a few other instruments on record, and are also the singer and frontman. Thurston Moore, Chris Cornell, and I would even say Kurt Cobain were all very good guitarists and songwriters. I’ll bet they aren’t on these lists either, or are very low. Not sure Billy is any better than them.

Cobain normally ranks pretty high on these lists. Much to the annoyance of some people who post here

Jack fucking White was in the top five lists about ten years ago. Is he still alive?

Jack White has the Billboard #1 alternative song this week. Though, the fact that even I (someone who primarily listened to alternative/college/modern rock for 30 plus years) haven’t heard it tells you how much that matters for the mainstream these days. I was a regular radio listener right up until my local alternative rock station went out of business last year. That said, despite his lack of presence in current pop culture, Jack White has stayed very busy his entire career.

[Bono Nettencourt]

Despite all his rage, he is still just a brat learning CAGED.