Podcast
The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Hosted by Billy Corgan · EN
Welcome to The Magnificent Others, the podcast where host Billy Corgan engages in profound conversations with extraordinary individuals who have reached the pinnacle of success in their respective fields. In each episode, Billy delves into the stories and insights of high achievers, exploring the multifaceted journey that leads to greatness.
117episodes
Episodes
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Conrad Flynn, Part 3 | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Yesterday01:17:09Summary readyBilly Corgan welcomes Conrad Flynn back for round three—and neither of them knows where the conversation is headed until it happens.Flynn traces the political forces surrounding Britpop and Oasis, while Billy recalls being approached by the Bush administration. They explore the mythology of ancient aliens, the rebranding of UFOs as UAPs, and why these stories continue to shape how we understand humanity.The conversation turns to authenticity in show business: Are stars revealing their true selves, or creating characters designed to connect with an audience? Billy reflects on his own Zero and Glass personas as they examine the backlash against carefully constructed celebrity identities.And finally, they ask whether AI is quietly becoming something people worship without even realizing it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SummaryPeter Asher | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
1w ago01:15:01Summary readyMusic legend Peter Asher joins Billy Corgan for a fascinating conversation spanning the British Invasion, the Beatles, Laurel Canyon, and the art of making timeless records. As one half of the chart-topping '60s duo Peter & Gordon, Asher looks back on his unforgettable years at Apple Records working alongside the Beatles, discovering James Taylor, and helping launch Linda Ronstadt's solo career.Billy and Peter dig into the craft of record production, the golden era of singer-songwriters, why a distinctive voice matters more than a perfect one, and the quiet relationships that shaped music history. Peter also explains why his greatest calling wasn't the spotlight but helping other artists find theirs.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SummaryTommy Lee |The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
2w ago01:11:48Summary readyBilly Corgan welcomes Mötley Crüe co-founder Tommy Lee for a candid conversation about rock, reinvention, and the future of music. Tommy shares why he used AI to reimagine the artwork for Tommyland Rides Again, why Dolby Atmos has completely changed the way he thinks about making records, and why he believes streaming has crushed the "musical middle class." He also tells the incredible story of how Nikki Sixx bought back Mötley Crüe's catalog, reflects on the band's legacy, and explains why he'll never censor himself on social media—even when it comes to politics. Billy also looks back on recording with Tommy in 2013, breaks down the unmistakable groove that helped define Mötley Crüe, and the two swap stories about David Bowie, Prince, Mick Mars, John 5, the Sunset Strip, and why they believe rock music is on the verge of a major comeback.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SummaryPaul Anka | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
3w ago01:15:18Summary readyBilly Corgan welcomes legendary songwriter and entertainer Paul Anka for a masterclass on longevity, songwriting, and surviving every era of music. From writing his first hit as a teenager in 1957 to buying back his own masters decades before "owning your masters" was a movement, Anka reflects on friendships with Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Sammy Davis Jr., and The Beatles, and explains why great songs always outlive trends. He tells the real story behind writing the English lyrics to "My Way" for Sinatra, remembers touring with Chuck Berry and Fats Domino, and recalls watching a Jimi Hendrix leave Clapton, Page, and Beck speechless in a tiny London club. Along the way, Billy and Paul dive into the Great American Songbook, and what today's artists often miss about performance and craftsmanship closing on Anka's simple philosophy for a long, fulfilled life: no rearview mirror.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SummaryMatt Pinfield & Allison Hagendorf | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
4w ago01:35:40Summary readyBilly Corgan welcomes legendary MTV host Matt Pinfield and music journalist /MTV alum Allison Hagendorf to revisit the MTV era — when music videos launched careers, broke new artists, and changed rock culture forever.Matt shares behind-the-scenes stories from the network's most influential years, Allison reflects on her journey from devoted fan to one of rock's most trusted voices, and Billy reveals how MTV helped launch the Smashing Pumpkins, the incredible story behind the lost 1979 video footage, and the on-air comment about Chicago bands that earned him years of hate mail.Along the way, they debate hair metal versus grunge, the cultural power of music videos, how artists broke through before algorithms, and why Billy believes rock—and Gen X—are finally ready for their next chapter.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SummaryAnn Wilson | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Jul 801:11:24Summary readyBilly Corgan sits down with Heart's Ann Wilson to talk about the highs, heartbreaks, and hard-earned lessons behind one of rock's most enduring careers. Ann recalls the exact moment she discovered her powerhouse voice, why Aretha Franklin gave her chills before fame ever did, and how she and sister Nancy built "a parallel universe in rock" when the industry had no place for women. She gets candid about the 1980s "devil's bargain” swallowing outside-written hits that had no soul and the sobriety turning point that came the moment she became a mother.Along the way, Ann shares stories about Seattle's music explosion, Alice in Chains, sibling dynamics, artists trademarking their own voices, and why she's plotting an ambitious new concept album.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SummaryYoshiki (X Japan) | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Jul 101:24:51Summary readyBilly Corgan welcomes legendary musician, composer, and X Japan co-founder Yoshiki for a conversation about creativity, rebellion, and building something that refuses to follow the rules. Yoshiki reflects on helping create the Visual Kei movement, pushing rock music to its limits with X Japan, and the personal losses that shaped him from losing his father at a young age to the heartbreaking deaths of his bandmates, survivor's guilt, and a struggle with depression that nearly consumed him. Along the way, he shares stories of working with legendary Beatles producer George Martin, composing a piano concerto for the Emperor of Japan, and turning a loan from his mother into the record label that helped change the course of Japanese rock.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SummaryFilmmaker & Composer John Carpenter | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Jun 2400:56:24Summary readyBilly Corgan welcomes horror master and filmmaking icon John Carpenter for a fascinating conversation. Carpenter reflects on fighting studios to protect his vision, why he refused to change the ending of The Thing, and what it really means to be an auteur in Hollywood. He shares stories about growing up around the Nashville music scene, discovering filmmaking at age eight, composing his legendary film scores, and why Halloween works because “the less you know about Michael Myers, the scarier he becomes.” Along the way, Billy and John debate the scariest movie ever made, swap stories about professional wrestling, classic directors like Howard Hawks and John Ford, the collapse of the studio system, AI’s impact on filmmaking, and why America sometimes feels like it’s living inside one of Carpenter’s dystopian movies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SummaryVerdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire) | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Jun 1701:21:36Summary readyBilly Corgan welcomes legendary Verdine White for a conversation about the rise of his group Earth, Wind & Fire and the vision that turned the group into one of the greatest bands in music history. Verdine reflects on leaving music conservatory at 18 to join his brother, Maurice White, and the promise that changed his life: "This is going to make you a legend." He shares unforgettable stories about Clive Davis betting on the band, the mentorship of Ramsey Lewis, recording That's the Way of the World, collaborating with illusionist Doug Henning, the Soul Train snub that nearly cost them their crossover, the game-changing performance at California Jam 1974, and what Miles Davis really thought of Earth, Wind & Fire.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SummaryPat Boone | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Jun 1001:32:28Summary readyThe indomitable Pat Boone joins Billy Corgan for a remarkable conversation about surviving fame, making history, and keeping faith through more than seven decades in entertainment.Pat reflects on breaking Billboard records, selling more than 50 million records, and rising alongside Elvis Presley as one of the defining stars of the 1950s. He shares unforgettable stories about their friendship, Elvis' private struggles with faith, performing for Queen Elizabeth II, and witnessing the birth of rock & roll.Along the way, Pat revisits the near-fatal accident while filming Journey to the Center of the Earth, the Harry Belafonte controversy that led him to walk away from his own hit television show, and the extraordinary pressure of becoming one of America's biggest stars before the age of 25.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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