Music

Billy Corgan on the “Murderous Business” of Music

The Bald One has been very available lately and most loquacious when it comes to the state of the music industry.

He’s been refreshingly honest and candid, too.  From The Daily Beast:

Rock ’n’ roll is a murderous business.

Somewhere along the way, I decided my interest was in that causal relationship between pushing the button and seeing what happens. In pre-YouTube days, I’d be standing on the stage with the band. Things would be going horrible. I’d say, “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re having a really terrible gig tonight.” I’d see my band mates stiffen up like they wanted to punch me. “We’re very sorry. We’re not going to give you your money back. But we promise from this moment forward to make it more interesting.” You’d hear them go, “Uuurghhh!” Like mob mentality settling in.

To paraphrase a conversation I once had with Pete Townsend: When you get it right, they show up, and when you don’t, they don’t give a fuck.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38909 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

One thought on “Billy Corgan on the “Murderous Business” of Music

  • He's been refreshingly honest and candid, too. From The Daily Beast:

    Reply

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