Blinking with Fists - a poetry reading with Billy Corgan
Published October 24, 2004
So, the performance was at a bar, which was very cool. Billy brought a guitar (which was super sweet, because this was just supposed to be a reading). He had an amazing singer with him, who was a Nepalese prayer singer (my own description). She sang a couple of beautiful and strange songs by herself and introduced Billy. Oh, and her words were this (she spoke very little English) - here he is, your king, Billy!
Billy came out and explained he had a bad cold and apologized in advance. He said the things that were planned for the show were eliminated, and he was going to improvise. He read some poetry, then played some guitar, then had people come up and read his poetry (because his voice was out) and while they did that he noodled on the guitar. It was amazing. The poems became songs in that moment, it was so powerful and great and strange and joyful. He spoke with the crowd, took questions, and goofed on stuff. He was so thoughtful and unguarded. Because of his cold, he said he didn't have his 'best game' and he didn't have singing to hide behind. Lemme say that I wouldn't have wanted it to have been regular. The way it was supposed to be tonight was the Tibetan singer did an opening set, then Billy read poetry for an hour. I can't imagine anything suckier than that. I really do hate poetry. Instead, it became this amazing interactive experience. The singer, Yungchen Lhamo, stayed onstage through the performance and did some songs with Billy on guitar.
Billy was so open and so honest, it was just an amazing experience. The night became a living and breathing thing. He asked people if they had any questions, and then answered them all honestly. As someone who has very closely followed Billy for so long, it was something I didn't expect to see. He is crazy smart, and so is always careful and clever with everything he does. Tonight, all that was gone. At one point, some guy from the audience was reading one of the book's longer poems. After a bit, Billy started playing acoustic guitar behind him. After a few minutes, Yungchen began delicately singing as well. It was so powerful and in the moment. Though I came out to see Billy and suffer through some poetry... I got so much more. It became a life experience.
- Blinking with Fists - a poetry reading with Billy Corgan
- Published: October 24, 2004
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- Section: Books
- Filed Under: Music: Alternative Rock, Books: Poetry
- Writer: Lono
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My son and I went to see Billy at Festival Hall - Chapters in Toronto October 18/04 for the signing of his Book of Poetry and also had the pleasure of attending his poetry reading at the Church of the Redeemer. Billy has been an idol and an inspiration of mine for 13 yrs. This was the first time I had ever actually gotten the chance to meet him. I named my 6 1/2 yr old son CORGAN, and he couldn't wait to meet the man I named him after. I made him a shirt that read MINI CORGAN. While we were waiting to meet Billy, Corgan kept getting excited that all the signs had his name on them. When it was finally our turn to meet Billy, I introduced Corgan to Billy. Billy was very shocked and surprised that a fan had named her son after him. He asked Corgan to come over and sit on his lap for a picture. So I took a few and his bodyguard took 1 or 2 also. As Corgan walked away from Billy he said I love your music and then proceeded to tell people that Billy was named after him. It was priceless! It was such an honour to have met Billy. I have seen him concert numerous times but this was nothing compared to that. He was such a nice, soft spoken, gentle man and I love him to pieces. When I went to the Poetry Reading I wasn't sure what to expect. For one it was at a church, and for two it was going to be Billy reading his Poetry not two things you would have expected from Billy, but that's Billy for ya! It was amazing! Billy read his poetry and sang with his dear friend from Tabet. She had a beautiful voice, and the two of them were just amazing. Billy let some of the audience go up and read his poetry aloud which was really special. It was definatley a night to remember.
Wow, I thought I was the biggest and greatest Pumpkin fan alive... but you win. It was indeed a great and rewaring experience and something that every day of the last 12 years or so built up to.
Most importantly, I can't tell you how thrilled I was that he wasn't a jerk. He is known to be both brilliant... and petulant. He was nothing but a gentleman and totally appreciative of us when I saw him in Denver.
Funny thing is, it has been a couple of months and I still haven't picked up the book to read it. I don't like poetry... I just wanted the chance to say thanks to Billy. It was a great day.
WOW, the book is truely wonderful! i could rehurse it in my sleep. billy is a true artist i was a fan even before when i heard Smashing Pumpkins, but this book is so much feeling and it tuches me and really should be a best seller more people should know about your work they would love it!
So let me get this straight? Half of you claim to be HUGE Smashing Pumpkins fans and would buy some of Billy Corgan's art just to meet him and not actually appreciate it? Doesn't that sort dehumanize the guy? I'm sure if I had succeeded in the fields he has that would absolutely hate that.
Nicest thing I've heard in a while, I'm really happy for you, especially the part where he was everything you thought he would be.
Also pretty good that a whole bunch of people would rather burn to death than not meet Billy. Me too.
Every poops....except Billy Corgan
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I would really like to see more of this book before I go out and buy it. Not that Im a critic but it's alot more expensive here in Canada...