Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan Says He’s Being “Snubbed” by Lists of Greatest Guitar Players

Some guitar aficionados might disagree with Billy Corgan on this one, but Smashing Pumpkins diehards might just agree with what he’s saying. 

In a recent interview with Guitar World, the Smashing Pumpkin frontman recently said that he feels a bit underappreciated by publications that compile lists of the best guitarists from various genres. In fact, Corgan said that he doesn’t believe most people notice he’s the main person playing the guitar for Smashing Pumpkins.

“Most people don’t even recognize my contributions as a guitar player,” said Corgan. “They don’t even assume I’m the one playing a lot of the guitar.”

Corgan went on to say that his guitar-playing ability deserves more recognition, almost 40 years into his career.

Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan Thinks “Silly” Lists Don’t Recognize His Guitar-Playing Talents Enough

“You have these silly lists that come out about the greatest guitar players, I usually don’t even make those lists,” Corgan continued. “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.”

The Smashing Pumpkins frontman also said that because of his role as the band’s frontman, his songwriting contributions and leadership responsibilities are often not praised as much as they should be.

“I’m writing the song, lyrics, melodies, arrangements and playing most of the complicated guitar,” said Corgan. “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.”

Corgan also went on to mention a few guitarists that he considers some of the best in history. Specifically, he mentioned George Lynch and Uli Jon Roth, both of which Corgan has performed on stage with in the past. He also mentioned Eddie Van Halen.

“I’ve played on stage with George Lynch (Dokken) and Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions), two of the greatest guitar players in history,” Corgan gushed. “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 noted that there are certainly amazing guitarists out there, but many shine in the limelight despite “pretending” to play guitar. We agree that Corgan is a stellar guitar player who deserves his flowers. However, we can’t help but wonder which famous “fake” guitarists he is talking about.

Corgan and Smashing Pumpkins are currently on tour in Latin America. Their most recent album, Aghori Mhori Mei, debuted in August of this year.

Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for KROQ/Entercom

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.