Billy Corgan

Billy Corgan is a musician, singer, songwriter, and owner and promoter of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), best known as the frontman and sole permanent member of the rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. Formed by Corgan and guitarist James Iha in Chicago, Illinois, in 1987, the band quickly gained steam with the addition of bassist D'arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. The band's direction has largely been driven by Corgan through his confessional lyrics, grandiose production values, and virtuosic musical interplay, notably with Chamberlin. In three years, The Smashing Pumpkins had transformed themselves into a major label success. Strong album sales and large-scale tours propelled the band's increasing fame in the 1990s.

After 2000, Corgan started a new band with Chamberlin called Zwan, and after their demise, he released a solo album (TheFutureEmbrace) and a collection of poetry (Blinking with Fists) before setting his sights on reforming the Smashing Pumpkins. He also assisted Breaking Benjamin in making their album We Are Not Alone.

The new version of that band, consisting of Corgan, Chamberlin and a revolving tour lineup, released an album in 2007 and followed it with extensive touring over the next year and a half. Chamberlin left the Smashing Pumpkins in March 2009, while Corgan has continued to record and tour with a new lineup.

In 2011, Corgan formed an independent wrestling promotion called Resistance Pro. He later joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2015, becoming its president in August 2016. After leaving TNA in November 2016, he purchased the NWA in October 2017. In 2012, he opened a tea house in his native Highland Park called Madame Zuzu's Tea House. He also worked on a spiritual memoir, entitled "God is Everywhere from Here to There."

In April 2014, Corgan announced a new solo record of "experimental" recordings he made in 2007. The album was called AEGEA.