Fans Disappointed with Billy Corgan
Sam Gaddy
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The Return of the Smashing Pumpkins and an Internet Urban Legend
The date for the first show of the reunited Smashing Pumpkins is set for May 22 at the Grand Rex in Paris, France. This news has many Pumpkins fans riled up with excitement, disappointment and claims of "anti-Americanism". Disappointed fans? Claims that Billy Corgan is "anti-American"? Let's back upOn December 2, 2000, the Smashing Pumpkins played what was intended to be their final show as a band at the Metro in Chicago, Illinois -- the place where it all began twelve years earlier. Fans from around the world, even those without tickets, gathered in Chicago to say goodbye to both the band and a part of their own lives. It was the end of an era for so many. It was the last time any Pumpkins songs were to be played live.
Fast forward about a year to November 2001. In Pomona, California, a new band called Zwan made their debut. The band included former Pumpkins front man, Billy Corgan, and former drummer, Jimmy Chamberlin. It was like a homecoming for the Pumpkins fans. Fans once again came from all over and they could not erase the smiles from their faces upon seeing their leader return. The joy soon faded, though, as despite their moderate success and praise from fans, egos clashed and Zwan broke up in 2003.
Fast forward to June 2005 when Billy Corgan released his first solo album and, on the very same day, took out a full-page ad in the Chicago Tribune declaring that he wanted his band, the Smashing Pumpkins, and those Pumpkins songs, back. Soon following this announcement, a mysterious "press release" found its way onto Netphoria.org, a Smashing Pumpkins fan site --
California Fans Sue Billy Corgan
"A group of 14 fans from Northern California filed a lawsuit Friday against Billy Corgan, lead singer and principal songwriter for The Smashing Pumpkins, claiming misrepresentation, fraud and emotional trauma.
The fans claim Corgan misrepresented himself when he allegedly said The Smashing Pumpkins were over, defrauded them of thousands of dollars and caused them emotional harm.