Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins

Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins

From Lipps Service with Scott Lipps by Audio Up, Inc.

June 17, 2026 · 1h 31m

About this episode

Billy Corgan discusses his life, music career, and the Smashing Pumpkins with Scott Lipps.

Billy Corgan joins Scott Lipps on SPIN Magazine's Lipps Service for a deep chronological conversation covering his upbringing in Chicago, discovering guitar, the formation of the Smashing Pumpkins, Gish, Siamese Dream, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Kurt Cobain, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Courtney Love, Melissa Auf der Maur, Cheap Trick, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Lollapalooza, modern rock, Yungblud, SOMBR, and much more. Billy also shares his favorite Smashing Pumpkins songs, reflects on the competitive nature of the grunge era, discusses hearing "Smells Like Teen Spirit" for the first time, and explains the stories behind classics including "1979," "Tonight, Tonight," and "Bullet With Butterfly Wings." Hosted by Scott Lipps. Subscribe for more interviews with the biggest names in music. #BillyCorgan #SmashingPumpkins #LippsService #SPINMagazine #Nirvana #KurtCobain #CourtneyLove #PearlJam #OzzyOsbourne #BlackSabbath #podcast #alternative 00:53 — Billy Corgan on KISS 03:10 — Why Rush Was So Important 07:14 — Dealing With Critics 09:30 — Critics, Success & The Beach Boys 11:55 — His Podcast, Ratt & Mötley Crüe's Importance 14:29 — Lollapalooza, Hole & The Alternative…

People in this episode

Host: Scott Lipps

Guest: Billy Corgan

Topics covered

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: SPIN Magazine, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Cheap Trick, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne

Books & works: Gish, Siamese Dream, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Smells Like Teen Spirit, 1979, Tonight, Tonight, Bullet With Butterfly Wings

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