10 Most IMPORTANT Rock Musicians Of The 90s
8. Billy Corgan
The Smashing Pumpkins always seemed to occupy a bit of an awkward spot in the realm of rock music. For as much as their hooks and songs were a breath of fresh air in the wake of the death of hair metal, they were never as dour and depressing to really earn themselves a spot alongside acts like Pearl Jam in the grunge category. While they might not have earned a spot in grunge proper, Billy Corgan was already a resident genius.
Having the same rock and roll dreams that most fans only fantasize about, Corgan was always about looking at the bigger picture behind his songs. Going into recording albums like Siamese Dream, Corgan's tunnel vision to create the best rock album he had ever heard proved to be an intimate endeavor, going so far as to play countless overdubs on the album by himself. Though members like D'Arcy Wretsky and James Iha were essential in the beginning, the tipping point would turn into Corgan's true vision.
With the release of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Corgan stepped up to the big leagues of rock songwriters, looking to create his answer to other rock operas like the Wall, which held up surprisingly well with songs like 1979 and Bullet With Butterfly Wings. Regardless of who comes and goes from the lineup these days, the Pumpkins' true potential has always been with Corgan out front.