When you hear the name Smashing Pumpkins or Zwan the first thing that comes to mind is Billy Corgan. Lead man, lead guitar, lead singer, just an all around genious. He makes the music, does the guitar, makes the lyrics, he can do it all! Here are somes interesting facts with some common information.
His real name is William Patrick Corgan Jr. He was born to Bill Corgan and Martha Corgan on March 17, 1967, St. Patricks Day. He was born in Chicago, his father was a blues musician and his mother was a flight attendant. He played guitar in his spare time. He worked at an old record store and then at a pizza place being a delivery boy.
In 1985, Billy formed a band called Hexen. Later, in 1986 he formed a band called The Marked. They moved to Florida because Chicago had enough goth bands. Since they wern't going anywhere with their music they broke up and Billy moved back to Chicago and lived with his father.There he met James Iha. They played at a Polish bar in 1988, with a drum machine. A few months later Billy met D'arcy at a nightclub. She became the bassist. Then in 1988 Billy had Jimmy Chamberlin play drums for an opening for Jane's Addiciton.
He has produced albums for the Frogs. Was a co-writer on 4 songs with a band named Hole's 1998 album "Celebrity Skin" .He advortized sorts for the 1998 Marylin Manson album, "Mechanical Animals". Has been a solo artist, including the "Ransom" soundtrack, and the "Stigmata" soundtrack. Billy is a fan of John Lennon, Judas Priest, David Bowie, Blondie, the Cure, and My Bloody Valentine. His favorite bands are Radiohead, Spiritualized, the Frogs, and Garbage. Recently created the band Zwan with Jimmy Chamberlin, David Pajo, Matt Sweeny, and Paz Lenchantin previously from A Perfect Circle.
Made an appearance in the movie Spun.
He sang Take Me Out to the Ball Game at Wrigley Field during Game 7 of the MLB championship in the 7th inning stretch on October 15, 2003.
Collaborated with Lisa Marie Presley for a song.
His biggest influences are 'pain, violence and love.'
His current girlfriend, Yelena Yemchuck, doesn't believe in marriage.
He's had arguments with Sharon Osbourne.
Billy is actually left-handed, but he plays a right-handed guitar because he belives that it's better to use your dominant hand for playing on the neck.
Marilyn Manson once tried to get him to wear a yellow shirt with a black zig-zag across it, because he would look like Charlie Brown.
Was actually born in Elk Grove .
His parents got a divorce when he was very young and he moved around between family members.
The Marked was named that because of the birthmarks on Billys and the drummers hand.
Billy Corgan is actually a great basketball, he was on a team in 8th grade, his jersey number was 24. The team was called the Mustangs.
Height: 6'3"
Weigth: 200 lbs
Sign: Pisces
Relations: Ex-wife: Chris Fabian, Dating: Yelena Yemchuk. Wrote the song Thirty Three for Chris, but after they split up he wrote X.Y.U. for her.
Children: None
Education: Glenbard North High School
Musical influences: Black Sabbath, Bauhaus, Pink Floyd, Queen
The other two members of The Marked were named Dale and Ron.
Here's a list of his equipment:
1957 Reissue Fender Strat
1972 Gibson ES-335
1974 Fender Stratocaster
1984 JCM 800 2203
ADA Flanger
ADA MP-1
ADA MP-2
Alesis 3000 Compressor
Alesis 3630 Compressor
Boss Compressor
Boss GT-5
Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor
Boss Purple Flanger
DR Hi-Beam Nickel-Plated Strings
Digitech Rp-12
Digitech Whammy Pedal
Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Electro Harmonix Envelope Filter
Electro-Harmonix Micro Synthesizer
Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser
Epiphone SG
Eventide H3000 Ultra-Harmonizer
Fender Bassman
Fender Blender
Fender Twin Reverb Amp
Fernandes Decade V-1
Flash Great Divide Four-Channel Splitter
Flash Noise-Free 4 X 1 Stereo Switchers
Gibson Hummingbird Dove
Gretch Silver-Jet
Hamer Prototype
Hamer Standard Electric Six-String
Ibanez RG-series 7-string
JCM 800 1960A
James Trussart Steelcaster metal 6-string electric
Jim Dunlop 1.0 millimeter tortex pics
Korg SDD-2000 Sampling Digital Delay
Lace Sensor Pickups
Lake Butler MIDIGator
Les Paul Junior Reissue
MXR Phase 100
MXR Phase 90
Maestro Fuzztone
Maestro Phase Shifter
Marshall JMP-1 Preamp
Marshall MK II
Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Power Amp
Mu-Tron Biphase
Lace Sensor Pickups
Lake Butler MIDIGator
Les Paul Junior Reissue
MXR Phase 100
MXR Phase 90
Maestro Fuzztone
Maestro Phase Shifter
Marshall JMP-1 Preamp
Marshall MK II
Orange Overdrive 120
Ovation Standard Balladeer
Peavy 5150 Amplifiers
Reverend Prototype Electric
Superfuzz
SustainPunch Creamy Dreamer Pedal
Taylor Acoustic Guitars
Triple Recto Head
Univibe
Univox Fuzz/Wah
Voodoo Lab - Pedal Power
Vox Wah-Wah's
Roger-Mayer Fuzz
Roland Guitar Synth
Roland Stereo Chorus
S.I.B. Vari-drive
Schecter Tempest 6-string electric
Selmer True-Voice Amplifiers
Superfuzz
SustainPunch Creamy Dreamer Pedal
Taylor Acoustic Guitars
Triple Recto Head
Univibe
Univox Fuzz/Wah
Voodoo Lab - Pedal Power
Vox Wah-Wah's
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