The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan

Chicago meets Chicago as Billy Corgan sits down with Marilu Henner to unpack her highly superior autobiographical memory (H.S.A.M.) that can turn a Tuesday from 1972 into a living scene and why her story is bigger than a party trick. From her Logan Square roots (beauty shop in the kitchen, dance school in the backyard), the champions who changed her path, Taxi’s 112 episodes, 112 Friday parties, open-door table reads, and Andy Kaufman’s singular orbit. The pair connect feeling to art including the rain-slick Chicago moment that helped spark “1979.” Old Hollywood drifts through, the Andrews Sisters’ precision harmonies and Burt Reynolds’ desert circus in Cannonball Run II before the conversation lands on health, longevity, and service. Subscribe to the Magnificent Others YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In what may be one of his final interviews, soul legend Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave) sits down with Billy Corgan for a candid, career-spanning conversation—covering church-born vocals, the Stax vs. Motown divide, and why real bands beat backing tracks. He revisits the accidental origins of Sam & Dave, the studio alchemy with Isaac Hayes and David Porter, and sessions behind “Hold On, I’m Comin’” and the iconic “Play it, Steve!” on “Soul Man.” Moore speaks frankly about industry politics, DJ gatekeeping, tours with Otis Redding, the M.G.’s (Duck Dunn, Al Jackson, Steve Cropper) and his long road from addiction to sobriety. Subscribe to the Magnificent Others YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Billy Corgan chats with guitar virtuoso Steve Vai, known for his work with legends like Frank Zappa and Whitesnake. They dive into the wild antics of ’80s performances and discuss the obsessive passion behind mastering guitar. Vai shares his exhilarating experience replacing Yngwie Malmsteen and navigating the smoky challenges of David Lee Roth’s era. Their conversation also touches on the powerful influence of mentorship in music and the evolution of guitar styles, revealing how creative fulfillment shapes a musician's journey.

In this episode Billy Corgan sits down with musical visionary Danny Elfman. Together they trace his journey from the underground theatrics of the Mystic Knights to fronting Oingo Boingo, and on to scoring over 100 iconic films including Batman, Beetlejuice, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Danny opens up about his unconventional path into composing, the challenges of being underestimated in both rock and classical circles, working with Tim Burton, and why he thrives on creative resistance. In the end, it’s a conversation about art, identity, and what it means to finally feel seen on your own terms. Subscribe to the Magnificent Others YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this conversation, I sit down with Elliot Mintz, the man who became John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s closest confidant during their most radical and reclusive years. Elliot shares how a single radio interview turned into hundreds of late-night calls, secret meetings in Ojai, and a front-row seat to Lennon’s life after the Beatles. We talk about government surveillance, artistic risk, and the quiet cost of fame. Elliot reflects on John’s complex relationships with Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan, the making of Some Time in New York City, and the moment John handed him a test pressing and told him to “break the record. Subscribe to the Magnificent Others YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of TMO, Billy Corgan sits down with songwriting legend Paul Williams for a free‑wheeling conversation that spans astrology, Williams’ nomadic childhood and early hormone therapy, his breakthrough at A&M Records, and the creation of “We’ve Only Just Begun”, sessions with the Wrecking Crew, trading quips with Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, Williams’ roles in Battle for the Planet of the Apes and Brian De Palma’s cult classic Phantom of the Paradise, and his memorable “Love Boat” theme. Both reflect on struggles with addiction: Williams’ 1989 cocaine‑induced breakdown that led to long‑term sobriety and Corgan’s experience with his father’s substance abuse. Subscribe to the Magnificent Others YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Billy Corgan sits down with Rick Springfield, a Grammy-winning singer and beloved actor known for 'Jessie's Girl' and his role on General Hospital. They reflect on Springfield's colorful journey from the band Zoot to solo fame, revealing the unique challenges of the music industry, including mental health struggles and the impact of fame. Rick shares candid stories about his battles with inner demons, the emotional weight of performances, and the importance of authenticity in an ever-evolving industry. Their conversation is a heartfelt exploration of creativity, resilience, and self-discovery.

Billy Corgan welcomes Micky Dolenz for a conversation that peels back the curtain on a lifetime in show business. Dolenz explains why he always kept “Micky the TV drummer” separate from the real man, explains how the Monkees were a cast before they were a band, surviving the show’s cancelation and watching the Monkees phenomenon roar back when MTV picked up the reruns. Along the way he revisits his Circus Boy childhood, Boyce & Hart songwriting sessions, Mike Nesmith’s push for creative control, and the boundary-breaking film Head that foreshadowed the indie-film revolution. The result is a candid, inside-out look at fame, reinvention, and the craft behind an accidental pop-culture landmark. Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Billy Corgan sits down with Joe Mantegna to trace his journey from singing Beatles tunes in his Chicago high-school band The Weasels, playing clubs with acts like Neil Diamond and Chicago, to dodging mob-run venues, goth “Judas” cult fans, and finally finding his groove in theatrical productions of West Side Story, Hair and Godspell. He recalls tiny residual checks, eight-shows-a-week stamina, and how that grind led to a Tony Award and iconic turns in The Godfather Part III, Criminal Minds and The Simpsons. Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Billy Corgan sits down with Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale about Rossdale’s transition from a quiet London childhood and Kings Road punk scene to forging Bush’s blues-free, down-tuned sound. They trace the Pixies’ and Steve Albini’s influence on the breakout album Sixteen Stone, the grunge-era label hurdles, and the craft of matching raw lyrics with arena-sized guitars. Rossdale also reflects on Bush’s upcoming album “I Beat Loneliness”, his cooking show “Dinner With Gavin Rossdale, juggling fatherhood, touring, and mental-health realities while keeping the creative fire alive.  Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices