Wow,
What a strange and wonderful experience tonight was. I went to go see Billy Corgan downtown. He was doing a booksigning and poetry reading, though they were separate events. If you know me, you know I am an obsessive Billy Corgan fan, so tonight was about the greatest thing ever. For years and years and years, I have wanted to meet Billy. I didn't want his autograph, necessarily, but I wanted to shake his hand and thank him for how much joy Siamese Dream has brought me. Tonight was going to be that opportunity.
So I got to the first event, which was the poetry book signing. This was my great chance to speak with Billy, even if for just a second. As the line drew closer, we were just about to be in the room where he was signing. I fire alarm went. No one knew what to do, so we just stood there. Now, we all know that a fire alarm generally means 'run for your life!'. It appeared that everyone was as intent as I was on meeting Billy. After a couple of moments they told us we had to evacuate the building. Fuck. fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. There it went, by chance to say hello and thank him.
So we went outside and they told us to stay there, we'd get to back in after they cleared the building (there was no fire). I took this opportunity to see if Captain Zero was there, so I walked around the building. In not finding Regan and Trav, I found Billy! He was right there, with some ape of a bodyguard looking person. I said 'hello Billy, welcome to Denver and thanks for being here'. He looked at me and smiled and saluted me. Long story short on that one. I got the book signed and got to speak directly with him. I told him thanks for the music and Siamese Dream had a HUGE impact on me. Got to shake his hand too. He was super nice and gracious and smiled and it was everything I wanted meeting Billy to be.
So the next event was just a few blocks away, and that was to be the poetry reading. However, Billy was sick and had laryngitis and couldn't speak much. They asked people if they wanted a refund. No one did, if Billy was there and we were there... it was all we needed. So Billy wasn't going to read much poetry, thank god. Holy shit I hate poetry. I suffered through enough of it getting my literature degree, I can't stand 90% of it. I wish I could tell you Billy's was different, but I haven't read any yet. I just bought the book to get it signed by my idol.
Article comments
1 - Kelly James
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...
2 - Jen
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.
3 - Lono
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.
4 - Tracey
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!
5 - Eric
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.
6 - neren
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.
7 - james
Every poops....except Billy Corgan