The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan

Yoshiki (X Japan) | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 01.07.2026 1u 24min

Billy 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.

Filmmaker & Composer John Carpenter | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 24.06.2026 56min

Billy 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.

Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire) | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 17.06.2026 1u 21min

Billy 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.

Pat Boone | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 10.06.2026 1u 32min

The 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.

Todd Rundgren | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 03.06.2026 1u 34min

Billy Corgan welcomes Todd Rundgren for a masterclass in songwriting, record production, artistic autonomy, and a lifetime spent chasing creative curiosity. From working with Albert Grossman, Bob Dylan, and The Band, to producing hits for Grand Funk Railroad and pioneering the DIY recording approach decades before “bedroom pop” existed, Rundgren shares stories that only he can tell. Todd reflects on making Something/Anything?, the radical creative leap of A Wizard, A True Star, learning to sing by studying Stevie Wonder, and why great producers serve the artist—not the label. Billy and Todd also explore musical intuition, vocal arranging, artistic risk-taking, and the freedom that comes from creating without worrying about commercial expectations. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dave Davies (The KInks)| The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 27.05.2026 1u 3min

Billy Corgan sits down with Dave Davies, the pioneering guitarist/co-founder of The Kinks and one of the architects of distorted hard rock. From the raw explosion of “You Really Got Me” to the emotional genius of Ray Davies, Dave reflects on growing up poor in postwar England, discovering Little Richard and blues music, surviving fame in the ‘60s, and helping create one of the most influential bands in rock history. The episode dives into brotherhood, creativity, spirituality, and the magic behind songs like “Waterloo Sunset,” “See My Friends,” and “I’m Not Like Everybody Else.” Dave opens up about his spiritual awakening, the band’s chaotic early years, his relationship with Ray, and why love, not fame or success, is ultimately what matters. There are also incredible stories about Eddie Van Halen, British Invasion chaos, guitar experimentation, and the creation of some of rock’s most enduring recordsTHE RATS IN A CAGE TOUR: ' A One-of-a-Kind Show Featuring Two Distinct Sets Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness Plus Nearly Four Decades Of Hits And Dark Treasures. Tickets On Sale Here: https://smashingpumpkins.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Barry Williams (The Brady Bunch) | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 20.05.2026 1u 19min

Billy Corgan sits down with TV icon Barry Williams in the living room of the Brady Bunch house for a funny, nostalgic, and surprisingly emotional conversation. From becoming Greg Brady at just 14 years old to navigating child stardom, Broadway, syndication fame, and decades of public fascination. The two explore why The Brady Bunch continues to resonate across generations, how Gen X embraced the show through endless reruns, and why its idealized vision of family life struck such a powerful chord with kids growing up in fractured homes. Barry also shares stories about working with Bob Fosse on Pippin, surviving the infamous “Cousin Oliver” era, and eventually making peace with being called “Greg” for the rest of his life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David J (Bauhaus/Love and Rockets) | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 13.05.2026 1u 37min

Billy Corgan sits down with David J of Bauhaus /Love and Rockets, one of the quiet architects of alternative music. David shares stories about growing up in working-class England, discovering reggae and punk, the accidental genesis of "Bela Lugosi's Dead," and Bauhaus' mission to dismantle the conventions of traditional rock.Billy reflects on hearing Bauhaus for the first time and how the band permanently reshaped his understanding of music and artistic freedom. David recalls the surreal night Iggy Pop appeared front row at Danceteria, reveals what it truly took to reunite with Peter Murphy after years of estrangement, and reflects candidly on releasing more than 20+ solo albums for a niche-but-devoted audience, driven less by ambition than by an unstoppable need to create.Check out David's album: "Tracks From The Attic Revisited" here: https://www.independentprojectrecords.com/david-j See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Erin Murphy (Bewitched) | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 06.05.2026 1u 14min

Billy Corgan sits down with Erin Murphy, the iconic Tabitha from Bewitched, for a candid look at what it really means to grow up inside one of TV’s biggest phenomena, pulling in over 30 million viewers a week. Erin shares vivid, almost dreamlike memories from working side-by-side with Elizabeth Montgomery to childhood moments that felt more like play than pressure. She reveals behind-the-scenes quirks fans still debate (including the infamous “Dad switch”), how production quietly bent rules to keep the show running, why fame never hit her the way it hits most child actors and how she's channeled her platform into advocacy for children, autism awareness, and causes close to her heart. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Legendary Manager Freddy DeMann | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 29.04.2026 1u 44min

Billy Corgan welcomes legendary manager Freddy DeMann, the architect behind Michael Jackson and Madonna’s rise to global dominance. He breaks down the exact moment he knew Michael was different, the fight to pair him with Quincy Jones, and how one bold call turned “Shake Your Body” into a global smash. He reveals how MTV was forced to finally play newly transcendent artists, what it took to push past label politics, the high-stakes power struggle with Joe Jackson, shaping Madonna’s rise and working alongside Billy Idol. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeff "Skunk" Baxter | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 22.04.2026 1u 34min

Billy Corgan welcomes guitar virtuoso Jeff "Skunk" Baxter for a journey through music history starting with the guitar he didn't even want. Baxter shares incredible stories from his early days in Mexico City, from writing fan letters to his heroes The Ventures to eventually producing their records. He reflects on playing alongside Jimi Hendrix and what made the legends truly magnetic: joy, not just skill. Along the way, he breaks down the philosophy behind his signature sound and how his work with Steely Dan helped redefine studio perfection.But there's tension in the story too, walking away from Steely Dan at their peak and reinventing the Doobie Brothers. Baxter also reveals his second act as a defense consultant, drawing surprising parallels between jazz improvisation and military strategy, while he and Corgan dig into AI's growing threat to the music business and the irreplaceable humanity at the heart of a live performance. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Draiman | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 15.04.2026 1u 33min

Billy Corgan sits down with Disturbed frontman David Draiman for an unfiltered conversation about music, identity, and what happens when an artist steps into the political firestorm. What starts as a reflection on a surreal Black Sabbath/Ozzy tribute quickly turns into something deeper. Draiman shares how the October 7 attacks reshaped his worldview, why he felt compelled to go public, and the personal toll it’s taken, from media narratives to fractured relationships. Corgan pushes on the bigger questions: Where’s the line between free speech and responsibility? Should artists use their platform for politics or stay out of it? This is a tense but thoughtful exchange about conviction, consequence, and the role of artists in a divided world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Billy Idol and Steve Stevens | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 08.04.2026 1u 12min

Billy Corgan sits down with icons Billy Idol and Steve Stevens for a conversation about how a genre gets built from scratch—and what it really takes to make something last. Idol and Stevens trace their origin story from a chance meeting in New York to a 40+ year creative partnership that fused punk, dance, and rock before anyone thought it could work. Corgan pushes deeper into the creative decisions behind it all—rejecting “punk purity,” trusting instinct over rules, and using technology as a tool instead of a crutch. They also get into MTV-era fame, excess, and what it’s like building an identity in real time while the culture is both shifting and blowing up around you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Courtney Love | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 01.04.2026 1u 44min

In this long-awaited conversation, Billy Corgan sits down with Courtney Love. Courtney reflects on her fractured childhood, counterculture upbringing, and complicated family history—growing up around drugs, instability, and radical independence. From juvenile hall to early psychedelics, she traces the shift from feeling like a victim to becoming a force. Together, they take direct aim at the myths: the gatekeeping of the ’90s indie scene, the class politics hiding behind “authenticity,” and the real price women in rock paid for ambition. Along the way: punk beginnings, ABBA vs. Zeppelin, and an unflinching look at confidence, control, and survival. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jesse Rutherford from The Neighbourhood | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 25.03.2026 1u 27min

Billy Corgan sits down with Jesse Rutherford for a candid look at fame, creative identity, and the unexpected journey from child actor to frontman of his ground-shifting band, The Neighbourhood. Jesse reflects on being ‘discovered’ at just five years old, growing up in Hollywood, and the moment everything clicked—picking up drums to a Nirvana track. The conversation dives into how the industry has shifted—from the raw individuality of the ’90s to today’s algorithm-driven sound—touching on using Auto-Tune, perfection as a guiding aesthetic, and why imperfection in and of itself might be what audiences connect with most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leslie Iwerks | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 18.03.2026 1u 2min

Billy Corgan sits down with Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, granddaughter of Disney animation pioneer Ub Iwerks, for a fascinating conversation about family legacy, creative ambition, and the stories history almost forgot. Leslie traces her journey from USC film school to becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected documentarians, with credits including The Pixar Story, Industrial Light & Magic, and her latest film, Disneyland Handcrafted. Along the way, Billy and Leslie dig into Ub Iwerks’ indispensable role in creating Mickey Mouse, explore Walt Disney’s visionary drive, Roy Disney’s underrated role as the financial backbone of the company, and the near-impossible feat of building Disneyland in less than a year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Melissa Auf der Maur | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 11.03.2026 1u 30min

In this deeply personal conversation, Billy Corgan and Melissa Auf der Maur reunite after 25 years to unpack the full story: how a $1 Tuesday night show sparked one of rock's most unlikely friendships, how Billy secretly recommended Melissa to Courtney Love, and why she almost said no — twice. The two dive into the early days of the Smashing Pumpkins, the chaos of underground rock clubs, Courtney's Hollywood pivot that gutted the band, the rise of grunge, and how a single moment of pure rock-and-roll intensity changed both of their lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Slim Jim Phantom | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 04.03.2026 1u 41min

Rockabilly legend Slim Jim Phantom sits down with Billy Corgan for a fascinating look into the birth of the Stray Cats and the unlikely road from Long Island bars to global rock stardom. Phantom traces his musical roots from studying under jazz drummer Mousey Alexander to discovering the raw power of Elvis Presley, Gene Vincent, and Eddie Cochran. What followed was pure rock-and-roll mythology: three young musicians chasing a dream to London with almost no money, sleeping in parks, and hustling for gigs until word spread through the British music underground. Soon icons like Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ray Davies were showing up at their shows—helping launch the Stray Cats into international fame. It’s a conversation about risk, rebellion, and how a “too weird” band helped spark an entire revival. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Conrad Flynn Part 2 | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 25.02.2026 1u 39min

On this provocative episode, Billy Corgan sits down with returning guest Conrad Flynn to explore the uneasy intersection of fame, power, the occult, and modern celebrity culture. Their conversation moves beyond headlines into the architecture of influence, the blurred lines between entertainment and politics, and the deeper question of who actually shapes the cultural narrative. They debate whether the surge of occult symbolism in pop is pure marketing, spiritual theater, or a reflection of something deeper—and whether rock’s once-defiant cultural voice has quietly been sidelined. Corgan also reflects on the personal cost of fame, the realities of industry manipulation, and why faith, truth, and integrity are the only antidotes to a rigged system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jack Osbourne | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 18.02.2026 1u 25min

In this deeply personal conversation with Billy Corgan, Jack Osbourne reflects on growing up in the spotlight, getting sober at 17, and carving out his own path beyond the shadow of rock royalty. He revisits the reality TV phenomenon that reshaped pop culture and the pressures of teenage fame, shares intimate stories about his parents’ relationship, the gentleness and laughter behind the chaos, and what it was like watching Ozzy wrestle with fame and self-worth. The conversation turns emotional as he revisits Ozzy’s final Birmingham show: the Herculean effort to make it happen, the healing reunion with Black Sabbath, and the peace Ozzy found at the end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.