Billy Corgan

Corgan moved from Chicago to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1985 and formed his first real band in college, The Marked. They were only together for a few months before he moved back to Chicago. While working at a record store there, he met up with guitarist James Iha and bassist D'Arcy Wretzky and formed The Smashing Pumpkins. They began to play together at local clubs with only a drum machine for percussion until they were introduced to jazz fusion drummer Jimmy Chamberlin by a mutual friend. Together, the Smashing Pumpkins produced five major albums, including the widely accepted album Siamese Dream. They were one of alternative rock's biggest acts, known for a characteristically depressing and morbid tone. However, the band was plagued by Jimmy Chamberlain's heroin addiction. On July 12, 1996, Chamberlain and touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin overdosed while the band was on tour; Chamberlain survived, but Melvoin did not. Corgan was forced to fire his disgraced drummer. They completed the tour with Filter drummer Matt Walker and Frogs keyboardist Dennis Flemion, but the Smashing Pumpkins were never able to capture the same energy of the band that made them such a hit. Even after Chamberlain's return, the band was never able to achieve another successful album, and split up in 2000. Corgan then went on to producing and performing with Zwan, which released its debut album in 2003 to very positive reviews. Later that year, Zwan was no more.

Corgan is currently pursuing a solo career and will reportedly have a new album and DVD out by the end of 2004.

In addition to performing, Corgan has produced albums for Ric Ocasek, Hole, The Frogs, and Catherine. He has performed cameo vocals and guitar for New Order and Marianne Faithfull.

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