William Patrick “Billy” Corgan has renewed his longstanding publishing admin deal with Warner Chappell Music. The songwriter and Smashing Pumpkins frontman’s agreement with the major publisher includes the administration of both his full and back catalog (including such hits as “1979,” “Bullet with Butterfly Wings,” “The End Is the Beginning Is the End”) as well as works made moving forward under the deal.
The Corgan-fronted Smashing Pumpkins remain a pioneer of ’90s alternative rock which, according to WCM’s senior vp A&R Greg Sowders, “laid the groundwork for the explosive grunge era that followed.” Founded alongside guitarist James Iha, The Smashing Pumpkins and Corgan began their storied career with the album Gish in 1991 which graced the Billboard 200 albums chart at No. 146, but the band truly catapulted to stardom two years later with their second album, 1993’s Siamese Dream, which became a critical and commercial success for the band, peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard 200.
By the release of 1995’s Billboard 200-topping Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness — the group’s third and most successful album — The Smashing Pumpkins had cemented themselves as genre-defining hitmakers. In 2012, the now-classic double album — released on Virgin Records, as well as the previous two — officially reached RIAA diamond status after selling over 10 million copies.
Since the peak of their success in the mid-1990s, the group has continued with a revolving door of members, held in orbit by Corgan’s steadfast leadership and vision. Aside from a five-year hiatus from 2000-2005, The Smashing Pumpkins continued to tour and record, releasing a slew of albums and EPs in the wake of Mellon Collie’s release. Their legacy has been further defined by their many notable sync placements in film, TV and advertisements.
Corgan has been also been a success in his own right, recording four solo albums and writing songs with Hole, Korn, Third Eye Blind, Phantogram, The Civil Wars and more.
In a statement, Warner Chappell Music CEO Guy Moot and COO Carianne Marshall dubbed Corgan a “true creative genius,” adding, “we’re so excited to continue to partner with him and support his incredible work.”
Corgan said, “I’m pleased and honored to be among the greats who make up the great tradition and legacy of Warner Chappell. To even stand in the shadow of the great Harry Warren, who one could argue helped build this rich company from its inception, is all I needed to know.”
Corgan is self-managed and currently releasing his solo records under Martha’s Music. The Smashing Pumpkins are currently signed to Sumarian Records.
