Career Timeline of Billy Corgan: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Billy Corgan made an impact.
Billy Corgan is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and professional wrestling promoter, primarily known as the leader of the Smashing Pumpkins. As the band's driving force, he shaped their alternative rock sound, contributing to the genre's mainstream popularity. Beyond music, Corgan owns and promotes the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and involvement in professional wrestling.
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1979: Release of the song "1979"
In 1979, Billy Corgan's biggest hit to date, the song "1979" by The Smashing Pumpkins, was released, reaching No. 1 on Billboard's modern rock and mainstream rock charts.
1985: Moved to St. Petersburg, Florida with The Marked
In 1985, Billy Corgan moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, with his first major band, The Marked.
October 5, 1988: First show as a quartet
On October 5, 1988, the Smashing Pumpkins played for the first time as a quartet at the Metro in Chicago after recruiting drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.
1988: Smashing Pumpkins Formed
In 1988, Billy Corgan formed the Smashing Pumpkins in Chicago with James Iha, later joined by D'arcy Wretzky and Jimmy Chamberlin.
1991: Release of Gish
In 1991, the Smashing Pumpkins released their debut album, Gish, which integrated psychedelic rock and heavy metal into their sound.
1993: Release of Siamese Dream
In 1993, the Smashing Pumpkins released 'Siamese Dream' on Virgin Records, which became a multi-platinum hit. Internal drama arose during this period.
1994: Rolling Stone Interview
In 1994, Billy Corgan discussed his musical influences in an interview with Rolling Stone.
November 11, 1995: Saturday Night Live Appearance
On November 11, 1995, The Smashing Pumpkins appeared on Saturday Night Live to promote 'Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness'. It marked the television debut of Corgan's shaved head.
1995: Articles for Guitar World
In 1995, Billy Corgan wrote six articles for Guitar World. His solos for "Cherub Rock" and "Geek U.S.A." were included on their list of top guitar solos.
1996: Inducts Pink Floyd into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 1996, Billy Corgan appeared at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony to induct Pink Floyd, one of his biggest musical influences, and played acoustic guitar with them during their performance of "Wish You Were Here".
1996: Soundtrack for Ransom
In 1996, Billy Corgan produced the soundtrack for the movie Ransom.
1996: Interview with Eddie Van Halen
In 1996, Billy Corgan, a fan of Eddie Van Halen, interviewed him for Guitar World.
1998: Shared Songwriting Credit on Celebrity Skin
In 1998, Billy Corgan shared songwriting credit on several songs on Hole's album "Celebrity Skin"; the title track became Corgan's second No. 1 modern rock hit.
1998: Release of Adore
In 1998, the Smashing Pumpkins released 'Adore'. The album had a darker, more subdued and heavily electronic sound at a time when alternative rock was declining. As a result, sales decreased significantly.
1999: Soundtrack for Stigmata
In 1999, Billy Corgan produced the soundtrack for the movie Stigmata.
1999: Chamberlin Rejoined the Band
In 1999, Jimmy Chamberlin rejoined the Smashing Pumpkins.
December 2, 2000: Last Show Before Breakup
On December 2, 2000, the Smashing Pumpkins played their last show at the Cabaret Metro before breaking up.
2000: Declined ECW Investment
In 2000, Billy Corgan met with ECW owner Paul Heyman about investing in the company, but Corgan ultimately declined.
2000: Smashing Pumpkins Break-Up
In 2000, the Smashing Pumpkins broke up after achieving commercial success and critical acclaim throughout the 1990s.
2001: Zwan Formed
In late 2001, Billy Corgan reunited with Jimmy Chamberlin and formed the band Zwan with Matt Sweeney.
2002: Soundtrack for Spun
In 2002, Billy Corgan produced the soundtrack for the movie Spun, in which he also appeared as a doctor.
2002: Zwan Performed Throughout the Year
The quintet Zwan performed throughout 2002.
September 2003: Zwan Formally Broke Up
In September 2003, Zwan formally broke up after internal conflict.
2004: Began Solo Music Career
In 2004, Billy Corgan began a solo music career.
2004: Collaboration with Breaking Benjamin
In 2004, Billy Corgan guided and collaborated with Breaking Benjamin during sessions for their album "We Are Not Alone".
2004: Release of 'Blinking with Fists'
In 2004, Billy Corgan released 'Blinking with Fists', a collection of poetry.
June 21, 2005: Release of TheFutureEmbrace
On June 21, 2005, Billy Corgan released his first solo album, 'TheFutureEmbrace'.
2005: Dating and Collaboration with Emilie Autumn
In 2005, Billy Corgan dated musician Emilie Autumn, collaborating on his solo album where she provided vocals and violin and costume for a supporting music video.
2005: Collaboration with Taproot
In 2005, Billy Corgan guided and collaborated with Taproot for their album "Blue-Sky Research".
2005: Release of 'TheFutureEmbrace'
In 2005, Billy Corgan released his solo album 'TheFutureEmbrace'.
2005: Desire to Re-form Smashing Pumpkins
In 2005, Billy Corgan took out a full-page ad in Chicago newspapers expressing his desire to re-form the Smashing Pumpkins, and Jimmy Chamberlin accepted his offer.
April 20, 2006: Reunion Confirmed
On April 20, 2006, the band's official website confirmed that the group was reuniting.
May 22, 2007: First Show in Seven Years
On May 22, 2007, the reformed Smashing Pumpkins performed its first show in seven years with new members Ginger Pooley and Jeff Schroeder.
July 10, 2007: Zeitgeist Release
On July 10, 2007, the Smashing Pumpkins released their new album, 'Zeitgeist', which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts.
2007: Experimental recordings
In 2007, Billy Corgan created experimental recordings for AEGEA.
2007: Vocals on Scorpions' "The Cross"
In 2007, Billy Corgan provided vocals on the Scorpions' song "The Cross", which appeared on their album Humanity: Hour I.
2007: Smashing Pumpkins Reform
In 2007, Billy Corgan reformed the Smashing Pumpkins with a new lineup, releasing new albums and touring extensively.
2008: Release of Signature Fender Stratocaster
In 2008, Billy Corgan released his signature Fender Stratocaster, designed to replicate his mid-'90s buzzsaw tone with specific DiMarzio pickups and other features.
2008: Toured and Released EP
Throughout 2007 and 2008, The Smashing Pumpkins toured extensively and released the EP 'American Gothic' and the singles "G.L.O.W." and "Superchrist".
March 10, 2009: Testifies Before Congress
On March 10, 2009, Billy Corgan testified in front of Congress on behalf of the musicFIRST Coalition, supporting the Performance Rights Act (H.R. 848).
March 2009: Chamberlin Left the Band
In March 2009, Jimmy Chamberlin left the Smashing Pumpkins, and Billy Corgan chose to continue under the name.
2009: Launches Interfaith Website
In 2009, Billy Corgan launched Everything From Here to There, an interfaith website devoted to "Mind-Body-Soul" integration.
2009: Formed Spirits in the Sky
In summer 2009, Billy Corgan formed the band Spirits in the Sky to play a tribute concert to Sky Saxon.
2010: Co-writing Credit Controversy
In 2010, Billy Corgan claimed co-writing credit on at least two songs on Hole's album "Nobody's Daughter" and tried to assert a right of approval before the album's release, which was ultimately unresolved.
2010: Featured on Ray Davies' Album
In 2010, Billy Corgan was featured on Ray Davies' album See My Friends, contributing to the album's closer, which was a mash-up of the Kinks' songs "All Day and All of the Night" and "Destroyer". He also added his guitar work to "Did You Miss Me" by the Veronicas.
2010: Toured and began working on new album
The Smashing Pumpkins toured through much of 2010.
2011: Co-founded Resistance Pro Wrestling
In 2011, Billy Corgan co-founded Resistance Pro Wrestling.
2011: Formation of Resistance Pro
In 2011, Billy Corgan formed Resistance Pro, an independent wrestling promotion based in Chicago.
2011: Recording Oceania and Touring
In 2011, Smashing Pumpkins recorded 'Oceania' and toured the United States and Europe.
2013: Walter E. Smithe Furniture Commercial
In 2013, Billy Corgan starred in a commercial for Walter E. Smithe Furniture, using the platform to promote his wrestling company, Resistance Pro.
March 2014: AMC Greenlights Wrestling Reality Series
In March 2014, AMC greenlit an unscripted reality series about Billy Corgan taking over creative direction for the independent wrestling company, Resistance Pro, under the working title of "Untitled Billy Corgan Wrestling Project."
March 2014: Siddhartha Show
In March 2014, Billy Corgan performed the 'Siddhartha' show.
May 15, 2014: Released AEGEA
On May 15, 2014, Billy Corgan released AEGEA, a new solo record of experimental recordings.
July 25, 2014: Released Tapes from Siddhartha Show
On July 25, 2014, Billy Corgan released the tapes from his 'Siddhartha' show from March 2014.
December 2014: Released Monuments to an Elegy
In early December 2014, the Smashing Pumpkins released their ninth studio album, 'Monuments to an Elegy'.
2014: Byrne and Fiorentino Left the Band
In 2014, Mike Byrne and Nicole Fiorentino left the Smashing Pumpkins.
April 2015: Senior Producer for TNA
In April 2015, Billy Corgan became the new Senior Producer of Creative and Talent Development for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).
August 2016: Becomes President of TNA
In August 2016, Billy Corgan took over as the promotion's new president for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).
November 2016: Leaves TNA After Payment Disputes
In November 2016, Billy Corgan left TNA after disputes over late payments. Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp and Impact Ventures provided a credit facility to TNA to fund operations. Corgan loaned money to Anthem Sports & Entertainment to fund TNA, and they promised to pay him back. On November 11, Corgan and Anthem signed a settlement, with Anthem repaying TNA's loan from Corgan.
2016: Became President of TNA Wrestling
In 2016, Billy Corgan became the president of TNA Wrestling, but left a few months later.
2016: Reverend Guitars BC-1 Signature Guitar Release
In 2016, Reverend Guitars released the BC-1 Billy Corgan signature guitar, featuring Railhammer Billy Corgan signature pickups.
May 2017: Purchase of National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)
In May 2017, Billy Corgan purchased the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), including its name, rights, trademarks, and championship belts.
October 1, 2017: Ownership of NWA Takes Effect
On October 1, 2017, Billy Corgan's ownership of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) officially took effect.
October 2017: Release of 'Ogilala'
In October 2017, Billy Corgan released 'Ogilala', his first solo album in over a decade.
2017: Owner and promoter of the National Wrestling Alliance
In 2017, Billy Corgan became the owner and promoter of the National Wrestling Alliance.
2017: Purchased the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)
In 2017, Billy Corgan purchased the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
July 2018: Smashing Pumpkins Reunion Tour
In July 2018, the Smashing Pumpkins, including Billy Corgan, James Iha, Jimmy Chamberlin, and Jeff Schroeder, began the Shiny and Oh So Bright Tour, performing songs from their first five albums. D'arcy Wretzky was not included, reportedly due to tension with Corgan, leading to a feud after Wretzky released text messages.
2018: Reverend Billy Corgan Signature Terz Launched
The Reverend Billy Corgan Signature Terz was launched at the 2018 NAMM Show. It's an electric version of a 19th-century instrument that is played as if the guitar is capoed at the third fret, and tuned G-g standard. It was created because Corgan often uses the capo at the third fret and asked for a higher-register guitar.
November 22, 2019: Release of "Cotillions"
On November 22, 2019, Billy Corgan released his third solo album, "Cotillions", describing it as a labor of love from his heart.
2019: Release of 'Cotillions'
In 2019, Billy Corgan released 'Cotillions', his latest solo album.
2020: Collaboration on Signature Amplifier
In 2020, Billy Corgan collaborated with Brian Carstens of Carstens Amplification to produce Grace, his first and only signature guitar amplifier to date.
July 14, 2022: Charity Livestream Announcement
On July 14, 2022, Billy Corgan and Chloe Mendel announced they would host a livestream charity show on July 27 to benefit the victims of the July 4 Highland Park, Illinois, shooting.
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