Billy Corgan and Courtney Love Reunite for Candid Chat on ‘90s Gatekeepers and Indie Drama

Billy Corgan and Courtney Love open up about their past, the indie music scene’s harsh gatekeepers, and their complicated ties in this revealing interview.

A Reunion That Hits All the Right Notes

What happens when two iconic figures from ’90s alt-rock reunite on the same podcast? Magic—and a heap of candid conversation. Billy Corgan, frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins, and Courtney Love, the fierce leader of Hole and his former partner, came together on Corgan’s podcast The Magnificent Others. Their hour-and-forty-five-minute talk wasn’t just a stroll down memory lane—it was a deep dive into the music, the drama, and the “gatekeepers” who shaped (and sometimes stifled) the ’90s indie scene.

Billy Corgan and Courtney Love reunited for a revealing interview—photo by Manny Carabel

The Complex Tapestry of ’90s Alt-Rock Romance and Rivalry

The history between Corgan and Love is as tangled as it is fascinating. Briefly dating back in 1991, their relationship wasn’t just romantic—it inspired some major music moments. Courtney Love once claimed that much of Siamese Dream, The Smashing Pumpkins’ defining album, was about her. She even suggested the band stopped hitting chart-toppers after she ceased being their muse. Fun fact: Billy Corgan also shares co-writing credits on Hole’s critically acclaimed 1998 album Celebrity Skin. Meanwhile, Hole’s bassist Melissa Auf der Maur toured with the Pumpkins during their 2000 Machina/The Machines of God world cycle. Talk about intertwined legacies!

When Indie Girls Took the Stage… and the Battles Began

Their conversation took a sharp turn to the infamous gatekeepers of the ’90s indie scene. Corgan remarked on Love’s commanding presence, saying she had “shoulders back,” a rare charisma among women in that era’s indie circles. Courtney chimed in, remembering how competition among women musicians was stiff—“It was room for only one back then.” From the Bangles to the Go-Go’s, women were often pitted against each other, creating an atmosphere filled with rivalry rather than solidarity.

Then, Corgan addressed the darker side of that era: “the pernicious and horrific meanness of the indie community at the time.” Love didn’t hold back, adding a twist: “You know I’m friends with Thurston Moore now? Speaking of gatekeepers…” To which Billy immediately shot back, “He was never a gatekeeper type. His partner was the worst.”

The Kim Gordon Factor: Indie’s Ultimate Gatekeeper

Ah, Kim Gordon—the Sonic Youth legend who’s never been shy about sharing her candid opinions. Gordon has openly expressed her disdain for both Love and Corgan. In her 2015 memoir Girl In A Band, she described Courtney’s “tarantula LA glamour—sociopathy, narcissism” and confessed her “low tolerance for manipulative, egomaniacal behavior,” even speculating that some of it might stem from mental illness.

Her critique of Corgan was equally sharp: “Billy Corgan, whom nobody liked because he was such a crybaby… Smashing Pumpkins took themselves way too seriously and were in no way punk rock.” Gordon even revealed that Courtney once asked her for advice about a “secret affair” with Corgan—an admission that made her recoil with an “Ewwww” at the mention of his name.

Love recalled the hostility from Gordon’s camp: “She was really horrible in the ’90s. I remember in Holland I was hanging out with you and they were so mean.” Corgan nodded in agreement, “I was a fan and I came in to pay my respects and I was treated so rudely by them.” The echoes of those clashes still linger, illustrating the gatekeeper mentality that shaped so many careers and friendships.

Auctioning Memories: Corgan’s Bid for a Piece of Hole History

Fast forward to 2024, and Corgan’s affection for Love’s artistry is as vivid as ever. He entered an auction to win Courtney’s handwritten lyrics to Hole’s iconic song Violet. Sharing the news via video, he explained, “I just bought my ticket for the Ellis Park Wildlife Sanctuary auction for the lyrics for ‘Violet’ written by Courtney Love.”

He admitted a personal connection to the lyrics: “I think it’s about a guy I know a little bit and I’d love to put that on my wall.” He encouraged fans to support the charity behind the auction, showing a warm side to the famously intense rocker.

Adding a touch of nostalgia and humor, Corgan shared an Instagram story quoting Love’s explanation of the song's meaning: “It’s not just about Billy Corgan, as many might assume; it’s about sitting on the fire escape of his flat, sipping cheap wine and taking a Vicodin (oh, to be young!) while the Chicago sun sets, leaving behind a bejewelled amethyst sky.”

He cheekily added, “She forgot to mention that I wrote one of the heart-rending couplets contained therein. But I will always love this song. Love you Court.”

The Songwriting Saga: Courtney, Kurt, and the ‘Live Through This’ Myth

Melissa Auf der Maur, who toured with both bands and recently appeared on Corgan’s podcast, shed light on the songwriting dynamics within Hole’s classic Live Through This album. She addressed the persistent misconception that Kurt Cobain, Love’s husband, wrote much of the music.

Billy had this to say: “People overly attribute Kurt’s influence, as if he was sitting there and telling her what to write. Everybody was under that sway — you couldn’t not be. Nirvana was the biggest band in the world, who kicked open the door to Pixies, Sonic Youth, and all of these other bands. Everybody was on the world stage all of a sudden because of Kurt’s courage and incredible talent.”

Melissa wholeheartedly agreed, “She and Eric [Erlandson] were already being underestimated as songwriters in Live Through This. Everyone said, ‘Kurt wrote that record’. I still say to this day, listen to ‘Doll Parts’ and ‘Miss World’ – it’s one riff and three chords repeated over and over. It’s about the power of the lyrics [that Courtney added].”

She even suggested the influence was mutual: “I’ve always said that, if anything, she inspired Kurt’s lyrics.” Observing Cobain’s lyricism evolve after meeting Love, Melissa was visibly frustrated by the diminishment of Courtney’s contributions. “We should pledge to the people, Eric and Courtney wrote Live Through This.”

In a rare moment of clarity, Corgan shared a direct conversation he had with Love in the mid-’90s regarding Cobain’s input: “His only influence on the record was one chorus.”

Remembering Kurt Cobain: A Rival and Inspiration

Billy Corgan gave an emotional tribute to Kurt Cobain, revealing that he cried upon hearing the news of his death. He called Cobain his “greatest opponent,” highlighting the competitive spirit that drove him.

“I want to beat the best. I don’t want to win the championship because it’s just me and a bunch of jabronis — to use a wrestling term.”
Billy Corgan

He told Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe that Cobain’s competitive nature reminded him of Michael Jordan, “arguably the greatest sports competitor I’ll ever see in my lifetime.”

Courtney Love’s Newfound Appreciation for the Next Generation

Never one to stay still, Courtney Love recently expressed growing admiration for the band Geese, even addressing “gatekeeper” fans who might question her evolving tastes. She playfully told them to “get off my back,” proving she still knows how to ruffle feathers while staying true to her roots.

FAQ

• What was the nature of Billy Corgan and Courtney Love’s past relationship?
  They briefly dated in 1991 and shared a complex creative dynamic, with Love inspiring some of Corgan’s landmark work and Corgan contributing to Hole’s 1998 album Celebrity Skin.
• Who did Corgan and Love accuse of being ‘gatekeepers’ in the ’90s indie scene?
  They singled out Kim Gordon as a major gatekeeper, while noting Thurston Moore was not one, despite being Gordon’s partner.
• What’s the connection between Kurt Cobain and Hole’s Live Through This?
  While rumors suggested Cobain wrote much of the album, both Love and her bandmates insisted his influence was minimal, limited to one chorus.
• Why did Billy Corgan bid on Courtney Love’s handwritten Violet lyrics?
  Corgan has a personal connection to the song’s subject and wanted to own a piece of the history, supporting charity through the auction.
• How did Corgan describe his relationship with Kurt Cobain?
  He viewed Cobain as his greatest rival and inspiration, someone he wanted to beat, comparing him to the competitive greatness of Michael Jordan.

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