Billy Corgan Praises Joy Division as Second Most Influential Band of the 20th Century
Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins recently revealed his choice for the second most influential band of the 20th century, following The Beatles. During an appearance on the YouTube series Track Star*, Corgan discussed the impact of Joy Division, particularly praising their debut album 'Unknown Pleasures' and the song 'Disorder'. He argued that Joy Division's post-punk sound crystallized a genre and influenced countless bands that followed, making them one of the greatest bands of all time.
Corgan emphasized the importance of bands like The Beatles, The Velvet Underground, and Joy Division in creating templates for other musicians to draw inspiration from. He noted that while many bands try to imitate Joy Division, they often fall short of capturing their unique sound and production style. Despite this, Corgan believes that Joy Division's influence can still be heard in the way some bands produce their records, especially in the post-pop minimalism scene.
In addition to his admiration for Joy Division, Corgan has a connection to New Order, having been a special guest vocalist on their song 'Turn My Way' in 2001. He also briefly toured with the band that year, showcasing his appreciation for their music. Corgan's son, Jack Bates, has been a touring bassist for The Smashing Pumpkins since 2015, adding another layer to the connection between Corgan and the members of New Order.
The Smashing Pumpkins recently embarked on a seven-night residency at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago, where they are reimagining their iconic album 'Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness' with a 60-piece orchestra. The band also released a 30th-anniversary deluxe reissue of 'Mellon Collie', featuring unreleased audio from their 1996 tour. Reflecting on the album's milestone, Corgan expressed both excitement and disbelief at the passage of 30 years, highlighting the enduring impact of their music.