A Message to Chicago
I don’t know what to make of this. Today, Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins, Zwan) took out a full-page ad in the Chicago Tribune with the title “A Message to Chicago from Billy Corgan.”
For over 17 years I have been proud to represent Chicago as an artist through my words and music, and am continually humbled by the undying love from this city as one of its native sons. I’d like to take this moment to address all that is going on in my musical life, from the new album and the current tour, to the future of the Smashing Pumpkins.
Obviously, this is largely a promo ad for his new CD, building on his goodwill with the people of Chicago. But do that many people in Chicago really care about Billy Corgan? Would Bruce Springsteen take out a similarly confessional ad in the New York Times? The copy goes on:
For a year now I have walked around with a secret, a secret I chose to keep. But now I want you to be among the first to know that I have made plans to renew and revive the Smashing Pumpkins. I want my band back, and my songs, and my dreams. In this desire I feel I have come home again.
Is that a tear I see? Wowsers. I expect this from Oprah (or the nemesis in a Spiderman movie), but Mr. Rat-In-A-Cage? After dropping off most people’s radar several years ago, it’s a little presumptuous that the entire city of Chicago needs to be the first to know (or even cares) about a Smashing Pumpkins reunion. But props for taking a somewhat unusual (and refreshingly quaint) approach to this announcement. Though, to be fair, a full-page ad in the Chicago Tribune likely represents the entire promotional budget of most indie labels.
[Billy Corgan’s new solo album TheFutureEmbrace can be streamed in its entirety for free from BillyCorgan.com.]