Corgan: Pumpkins' breakup was Iha's fault

NEW YORK (Billboard) -- More than three years after the Smashing Pumpkins played their farewell show, former frontman Billy Corgan has taken to his official Web site (http://www.billycorgan.com) to clear the air about the true reasons for the Chicago's band's split.

"I am going to share some things with you that you have never heard me say," he wrote Tuesday. "That doesn't mean I'm rewriting history; that means that I'm going to tell you the truth about who I am and what I believe in my heart. A lot of things that I have said thru the years seemed confusing, like I was hiding something, and oftentimes I was. 'Why,' you might ask. Many times I hid things to protect my band mates."

Corgan said he regrets initially blaming the split on "fighting the good fight against the Britneys of the world." "By saying that, I was seen as someone who was crying foul, taking his ball and going home, which was sad, 'cause it wasn't true at all," he continued. "The truth of the matter is that guitarist James Iha broke up the Smashing Pumpkins. Not me, not drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, but James. Did it help that bassist D'arcy Wretzky was fired for being a mean-spirited drug addict, who refused to get help? No, that didn't help keep the band together, not at all."

The artist admitted he would have liked to press on with the Pumpkins, which he described as "essentially my entire life... a dream I still believe in. Many friends at the time suggested letting James leave, so Jimmy and I could continue on under the name. But I was too loyal to the man I had started the whole thing with, and so I protected him until the very end."

Corgan was particularly saddened after Iha left the band's final show at Chicago's Cabaret Metro on December 2, 2000, "without saying goodbye to the two people he had won and lost and traveled the world with. So, I won't be protecting him anymore and I won't be protecting a whole lot of other people anymore."

In closing, he wrote, "We all deserve to flourish, and know happiness and joy. That is my new dream. The Smashing Pumpkins gave me that, and I am eternally grateful."

Corgan is working on his debut Warner Bros. solo album following the dissolution of his post-Pumpkins band, Zwan. The set will be preceded by a DVD of acoustic songs, featuring performances from a variety of venues and a spate of April recording sessions.

"What will be novel is that we plan on having an invited audience attend the recording sessions," Corgan said. "Just after the week of recording, I hope to do a single concert which would be filmed as well. The DVD would then be a compilation of material from a show at Chicago's the Hideout, acoustic sessions already recorded, poetry from a Chicago art institute benefit, the six days in April, and the one concert date."

Corgan will also release a book of poetry sometime this fall. "It's now basically all done, give or take a few word changes here and there," he said.

1/30/04
Mother Mary saved my life. No, this is not a typographical error, so I will say it again just to be sure...Mother Mary saved my life. That is why the Zwan album was titled Mary, Star of the Sea. I was asked the question many times during interviews about how the album came to be named, and I only partially answered the question. What I usually said, which 'was' true, is that when zwan was rehearsing in key west, florida during the winter of 2001, I used to go and hang out at this church called Mary Star of the Sea. What I didn't say is that off to the side was a grotto of the Virgin Mary that I used to go and pray at to find some clarity and solace. I asked Mother Mary there to help me change the direction of my life, my negative attitudes, and to heal my broken heart. I promised Mary that in tribute to her, I would name the album in her honor, and thereby honor the place when I found comfort in hours of need. Now, some may scoff at the notion that Mary, the mother of! Jesus, saved my life, or changed my life at all. Anyone could opine that it is all in my mind. So let me say this. I have received probably 2,000 letters in the last 12 years where strangers have told me that I saved their lives. Many have said that at the time they were writing the letter, they had recently been contemplating suicide, and that my music had helped them to find the courage to not do such a horrible thing. Other letters would be about whether the person could find the strength to get out of bed, to face another day of their often unhappy life. They would say that a particular lyric, or something I had said in an interview, had reminded them of their own dreams. Now did I actually come into their room? Did I hold their hand to keep them from jumping out a window, or from cutting their arms, or from throwing up their dinner so they wouldn't gain weight, or keep them from taking drugs? The answer is no, I didn't. I was not there for them like their parents, or h!usband, or wife, or best friend. But I did help save their life.

1/28/04
My friends...I live in such a bubble that I was sort of shocked when some of what I said about putting out a new record, solo tra la, was written up, like this one at (nme.com) I was like whoa, I guess I should have talked about the dvd I'm working on, plus the novel, and don't forget the barbecue sauce, the baggy clothes line, the perfume, the t-shirts I'm designing, and my upcoming appearence on "america's top model"(my new 'I am going to hell for watching this' show show)...darn, I'm really bad at this media process :( ...but I am learning so much observing our goofy political process...poor howard dean, he had it all going on there with the pundits, could do no wrong until these 2 primaries...isn't it amazing that the defining issue of who the democratic nominee will be isn't the issues (you know, like, pollution, rights for immigrants, the loss of our civil liberties) but rather who has the best chance to beat george walker, texas ranger...who is more electable? Just th!ink what that really means?? Our country needs a lot of love, that's all I'm trying to say...sorry about that tangent...another article I saw (thanks, now back to me! :) said that I wasn't on a label!!! *Ahem* I am proud to be a 'warner brothers music artist', thank you, very proud...not only will this rock and roll record be on said label, but we are also discussing putting out a dvd that would have an entirely different body of music as well (acoustic based, totally different songs), with both set for release by the end of this year/go bc!!! And on a personal note, can I say I love those I love very, very much, and it is your love that keeps me strong..I can promise everyone I know that I am gonna make you proud this year+show you that I am worth the trouble...music IS my love...I wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for the power of sound and song...coming soon: rambling on about God, the Creator, Heavenly Spirit, and Mother Mary!!! WPC

1/26/04
Happy Monday! we are working today, but honestly I am not feeling motivated...a little blue actually as the weather here in chicago has been cold and miserable and we are all prisoners of this wonderful, but vengeful city...happy to report that bon harris, my friend and much respected pioneer of all things that go blip is coming in in a few days to help work on the album...i'm very excited about the possibility of bon contributing without some of the restrictions to form that I have asked of him in the past...for those of you who are not familiar with bon's glorious past, he was one of the 2 founding members of the band NITZER EBB, whose most famous track "join in the chant" is a dance floor classic... This week, when there is more time, I want to let you in a bit more on a group of songs I have been working on for awhile now...they are all acoustic based, and we are finalizing the details for some more recording and a show or shows, so stay tuned for that... Did anyone watch the WWE pay per view last night? It is no secret I am a big fan of professional wrestling, and I look forward to every ppv like all the other marks in the world...anyway, another great showing by shawn michaels who always puts on a stellar performance when called upon...the brock-holly angle ended with a thud unfortunately, as I think brock lezzzznnnaarrrr is a future great star in the tradition of the old school guys I grew up with...but the best sight of the night was the return of the hardcore legend mick foley to enact his revenge on rising star randy orton....mick is my all time favourite modern wrestler, and I am happy to see him fit and trim in anticipation of his return to a big match at wrestlemania...go mick!!! one more thought...if you are a fan of wrestling, check out the weekly ppv's of nwa-tna on Wednesday nights...it's the rival promotion ot wwe, and features some of the former stars of wwe and wcw as well many young, rising stars that wrestle more of a type future high flying style....i'm happy that tna brought back my man jerry lynn, as he is one of the best wrestlers I have ever seen....plus jerry likes death metal, so he can't be all bad! stay warm wherever you are bc

1/23/04
Well, I've been writing these posts here, happily hopping along, without realizing that we didn't have the technical stuff together to put them up...but I am used to talking and no one hearing my funny inner banter so I suppose this is similar :) hop hop That being said, and the email smiley face aside :) things are moving along, as I try to find something new in the sounds of love and harmony gone awry..alright!!! blah blah, I'm fasting so I'm beyond hungry and oh yeah, slightly buzzed too!! a natural high, the only one worth going on about...you know, rocky mountain high, Colorado.... God bless you, thanks for listening!!! Psss. 9 more days until I have to submit my poetry for the book.... I don't have a title yet, any suggestions??? How about "sensitive rhymes and crimes of the heart" or some shit like that...ha! welcome to the real me.... bc

1/19/04
Back at work today after taking sunday off to watch football ALL DAY!!! Is that a good thing? I'm not sure...did manage to cram a game of chess in there somewhere. Today is our 4th day (I'm counting), and we are still in the whatthef---amidoing phase. When I say we, I mean me and my co-pilot bjorn...bjorn has seen me thru some times. Falling apart on adore, trying to put the pieces together on machina, trying to get by on mary my star, so what will it be this time? Maybe he gets to listen to me just be...sounds easy, right? I can't pay him enough pad thai to watch me struggle, though...the good news in this mild confusion is I am starting over from such a fresh perspective that there is nothing to rely on but my good name. I am being honest when I say I am ready for that and love the challenge and relish the mustard. So I come in with no songs but maybe one or 2, no lyrics, no band (but a few santa's helpers lined up), and no dairy...food is the theme always. Wish me luck on! all this poetry please...for the religious, please pray because I need some help to step up and take these words (over there in the dust pile) to another level beyond rhyming 'insane' and 'brain'. I pray everyday for good things to happen everywhere to all people. Maybe out there somewhere some good cheer can echo back...and help me get this done...then, just maybe, I can write some new jams :) happy monday b

1/17/04
Hi...We started a few days ago (the 15th) to get it together for my first solo album...some would argue that it's not my first, and I won't argue with you there! (just kidding!!!)...anyway, I am excited to work on this music, because for the first time in my life it will be my tunes with no compromises to anyone or anything...it's gonna be loud and beautiful and poetic and dumb, just the way I like it...unfortunately today we are having computer problems with the "slow-tools", a common malady to all futurists!!! also lately I have been getting up early to finish editing stuff for my poetry book, all of which I have to submit by the end of this month...speaking of words, i would like to thank everyone who came to my one and only poetry reading for being with me on a special nite, especially those who traveled long distances...it never ceases to impress me how dedicated some fans are... you humble me :) So you see, lots of firsts upcoming and in progress, including billy.com which according to THE MAN should be up soon...there's lots to talk about in the days and months and years ahead..so keep me in mind. With warmest regards wpc

Corgan pays $6.8 million for mansion on the lake

Former Smashing Pumpkins and Zwan founder and solo rock star Billy Corgan has paid $6.8 million for an 18-room lakefront mansion in the northern suburbs that was designed by celebrated architect David Adler.

Built in 1926, the seven-bedroom Normandy chateau-style mansion sits on more than 6 acres and first was listed in 2000 for $11.9 million. It later was reduced to $9.5 million, then to $8.5 million and finally to $7.5 million before its sale.

The house has a music room, garden room, gallery, great hall, seven fireplaces and 6½ baths, French parquet flooring and Chinese wallpaper, according to listing information. The property has 354 feet of private beach.

The sellers had owned the mansion since 1946 and Corgan is only the home's third owner, according to listing agent Honore Frumentino of Koenig & Strey.

Corgan is no stranger to Adler's work, having paid $2.95 million in 2002 for a renovated, 3,500- square-foot, six-room, full-floor condo in an Adler-designed building on the North Side that once was a mansion. At that time, Corgan's tour manager and spokesman, Tim "Gooch" Lougee, confirmed that the singer-songwriter was staying at the condo but had intended to lease out the unit. It's not clear whether Corgan plans to reside in both homes.

The rocker previously lived in a Victorian painted lady on the North Side that he bought in 1993 for $455,000 and sold in 2000 for $1 million.

Corgan could not be reached for comment, and Lougee did not return a telephone call.

Frumentino, who would not confirm the buyer's identity, said, "The sellers are very, very thankful that they sold it to a passionate preservationist. They're pleased that the house will remain in all its glory and will remain intact."

Corgan's purchase price is the 10th highest for a home here, surpassed by:

• The $12 million sale of a lakefront house on the North Shore in 2000
• The $11.45 million sale of that same property in 2001
• Two $10 million-plus condo sales on the Gold Coast in 2002
• The $9.9 million purchase last year by Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. CEO Bill Wrigley of a north suburban lakefront mansion
• The $9.5 million sale of former MarchFirst CEO Robert Bernard's North Side mansion in 2002
• An investment banker's $9.5 million purchase of a mansion in Winnetka in 2002
• The $8.5 million sale of a lakefront house in Wilmette in 2002
• The $7.95 million sale last summer of White Sox slugger Frank Thomas' west suburban mansion.

In addition, Corgan's purchase is the highest price on record that a celebrity has paid for a Chicago-area house, surpassing the $4.79 million author Scott Turow paid in 2001for a north suburban lakefront house.

However, the original sale prices for some of the area's highest-priced celebrity homes aren't available. Basketball great Michael Jordan, for instance, built his massive North Shore mansion from scratch, so no purchase price is available. Talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey gradually bought and combined multiple condominiums in her Near North Side building to create a unit that would surpass the value of Corgan's mansion, according to agents who sell in the area. And Thomas also built his recently sold mansion from scratch.

Corgan's former bandmates also have shown an affinity for the north suburbs. Former Smashing Pumpkins and Zwan drummer Jimmy Chamberlin paid $832,500 in late 2001 for a house on 4.28 acres in the far north suburbs, and former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha paid $1.05 million in 1998 for a house in the near north suburbs that he sold for $1.16 million in 2001. Iha, who now lives in New York City, still owns a house on the Far North Side of Chicago that he bought in 1994 for $260,000.

• Bears kicker Paul Edinger has paid $477,500 for a five-room North Side condo.

Listed for $485,000, the three-bedroom unit is in a new building and has a master bath with whirlpool and private outdoor patio, according to listing information.

Igor Dolgikh of Jameson Realty Group in Chicago had the listing. Edinger was represented by Ron Hollaender of Coldwell Banker. Hollaender said he did not know whether Edinger would keep his north suburban house, which he bought in 2002 for $293,000, according to public records.

• A 13-room North Shore mansion designed by I.W. Colburn has sold for $2.85 million.

Built in 1960, the two-story, seven-bedroom house originally had been listed for $4.15 million and later was reduced to $3.9 million, then to $3.6 million and finally to $3.35 million before its sale. The house, which is a block from Lake Michigan, has 10-foot ceilings, five full baths, three half baths, five fireplaces, three bluestone patios, a tennis court, greenhouse, separate studio building built in 1993 and garage parking for four cars, according to listing information. An underground tunnel that doubles as a 1,000-bottle wine cellar links the house to the studio.

• The price of an eight-room, 3,400-squarefoot Colonial on a private North Shore lake has been cut to $1.745 million from $1.795 million. On 1.14 acres, the two-story, four-bedroom house was built in 1961 and has 3½ baths, three fireplaces, a private dock, a large kitchen and remodeled floors and infrastructure, said listing agent Sandy Limacher of Coldwell Banker's Winnetka office. Just 11 houses surround the lake, she said.