The greatest musician of the 90's?


I think it is quite possible that Billy Corgan is the greatest musician of the 1990s. He uses so many different techniques to his playing, but they still all sound like him. From "I Am One" to "For Martha," you can hear Billy in the music. Every one of his albums is a new adventure, too. For instance, when listening to Pisces Iscariot, the B-Sides from the Gish/Siamese Dream eras, you can tell which songs were written in the Gish period as opposed to the SD. His music is so in depth compared to other artists, right up there with Led Zeppelin.

Of course I talk like Billy's the only one who writes, which isn't true. Credit James Iha for the sweet second guitar parts and Jimmy Chamberlain for the drums. D'Arcy's the only one who does nothing, but Billy does write the melodies and stream new melodies in there. On Vieuphoria during "Soma," later in the song you can hear multiple melodies going all at the same time.

What I am trying to say is, Billy Corgan is the best musician of the 1990s, if not the last 25 years.

I want to hear what you guys have to say about this.

"Shut my mouth and strike the demons
that cursed you and your reasons
out of hand and out of season
out of love and out of feeling
so bad."

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I'm starin to agree with you junior tour. I've been a big fan of the Smashing Pumpkins, in my opinion better than Nirvana, better than Pearl Jam.
Then along came Zwan,Corgans new band. I really didn't think he'd have that same impact as he did with the pumpkins but its looking like he's starting to pull it off.

Three cheers for Billy Corgan!

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Yes its true, Zwan is great. I personally think the songs on the DVD are better than on the CD, and maybe because its because it is less mainstream than the CD. Nirvana and Pearl Jam are bands that are (were) great at what they did, but their range is not as wide as Billy's. The reason the Pumpkins aren't up there with names like Nirvana, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin is that they haven't been away that long. Trust me, ten years from now, they will be rock legends.

"Now it's that time again to take revenge/on all the debutantes and their friends."

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You don't hear anything really about the Pumpkins anymore. It's like they've disappeared off of the face of the earth while other "genre changing" bands are still around. Of course, every "rock kid" knows about Nirvana, but the Pumpkins don't get as much recognition for what they actually did. You just need to listen to mellon collie and you can hear such...fantastic things. Purely amazing.

Anyone check billycorgan.com? I can't wait to hear more of Billy's work...

Oooh, he's got an arm off!

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I love those lyrics from Mayonnaise and yes Billy Corgan is the best musician ever.


yeah lets just bring back the girl that kisses everybody!

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I do think Billy is the greatest but the band is what makes the music as Zwan was terrible it proves Billy can't do everything. The Smashing Pumpkins are the greatest as their lyrics and music are beautiful. Although Billy is a Great musician it is not one who makes the band but all the members that is why Smashing Pumpkins were so great and not Zwan.

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He certainly is the best songwriter of the 90's. He is very eclectic in the way that he writes one minute he is screaming his head off in xyu and then singing melodically in Farewell and goodnight. That to me is what made them a brilliant band.

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Corgan is a genius... period.

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Billy Corgan is defenentily the greatest creative mind in the '90s and up there with Page, Hendrix, Townsend, etc. His skills far surpass Cobain...who is frankly overrated...Billy Corgan and Smashing Pumpkins should both be reveered for the genuises they were and still are...

good thing that the reunion is underway

'Just stay away from the bird and plane metaphors. That's that other guy.' - Spider-Man.

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A reunion? Where can I find more info on that!

I agree, Billy Corgan is in a league of his own. If you disagree, then it's obvious his music is over your head. Perhaps it explains why it took so long for him to "make it" as a musician. Being a musician myself, I can say that one gains a special appreciation of his music when you listen to it from the perspective of a musician as opposed to a casual listener who has no idea about the technical structure involved in creating music. There's so much more to the music than what meets the ear. I just wish more poeple could hear it like I do.

Thank you Billy!

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Here's a link that's almost a year old. I'd love to hear of any new developments.

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1523078/20060202/smashing_pumpkins.jhtml?headlines=true


An nescis, mi fili, quantilla sapientia mundus regatur?

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Though I do agree that Billy Corgan and The Smashing Pumpkins are amazing and way better than most of the bands through the 90's, way better than say Nirvana, but better than Eddie Vedder and Pear Jam? I think not!
Pearl Jam is and I think are and will be our generations Zeppelin (Zeppelin are the greatest band ever), a strong statement yes, but that's just my opinion!

"I swear i recognize your breath
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising me,
you wouldn't recall, for i'm not my former
it's hard when, you're stuck upon the shelf
i changed by not changing at all, small town predicts my fate
perhaps that's what no one wants to see
i just want to scream...hello...
my god its been so long, never dreamed you'd return
but now here you are, and here i am"

Just one of many, many amazing verses by P.J!

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Corgan's badass.
Siamese Dream FTW is really really consistent.
and thats why he owns.

yippee-kay-ay *beep*

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i can't remember how long i've enjoyed and nearly worshipped the smashing pumpkins and the musical trails they leave behind. but, it took me a LONG time to finally start finding faults in the music and in my opinion, they're honestly not many. i think billy corgan is one of the best guitarists in the last 20 years, and songwriters as well. his ego is what kills him (The Future Embrace, Zwan); and the Siamese and Gish seiges by billy (despite the amazing outcome) weren't to nice. all in all the pumpkins have remained a foundation in my music for years and will probably continue to be. one of the greatest bands in my eyes.

"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

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I just got into the pumpkins a while back, and they are perhaps my new favourite band. The music is just so unconventional, deafening guitar fuzz and screams one second, and mellow and quiet and beautiful the next--and Billy Corgans voice is so unique--not bad singing like some will say, but really just in a class of it's own.

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