Billy Corgan: Rock and Roll is Being Taken Over by ‘Posers’

Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan lamented the state of alternative rock in a one-on-one conversation with writer Brian Solis at South by Southwest earlier this week, asserting that “posers” have replaced authentic artists. “[Artists who achieve breakthrough success today] have grown up thinking that being famous is the goal,” he said. “Not to be respected, not to be dangerous.” Corgan went on to say, “Don’t call it rock ’n’ roll. I was part of a generation that changed the world – and it was taken over by posers.”

In a subsequent interview, conducted at SXSW’s Samsung Blogger Lounge, Corgan talked about the impact social media has had on the music industry. “The music business is shamefully behind the curve as far as understanding the effects that social media has on the business,” Corgan said. “They just treated it like it was a curse and a plague upon them. And I was one of the first people to stand up and say, ‘No, this is a great thing.’”

Corgan had little to say about his new music with Smashing Pumpkins. The band’s new album, Oceania, is set to be released in June.

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Billy Gibbons’ Christmas Memory: His First Guitar

ZZ Top mastermind and guitar titan Billy Gibbons has a favorite Christmas memory. It may not be surprising that it involves a certain six-stringed instrument.

In an interview with Men’s Journal (via Ultimate Classic Rock), Gibbons recalled Christmas morning at the Gibbons household in 1962, when young Billy was only 13-years-old.

“Sitting under the tree was a little Gibson Melody Maker …. and away we went.”

Gibbons also shared his musical memories of his family.

“My dad was quite the entertainer. He was a classically trained pianist with his five brothers as the Gibbons Brothers Band,” he said. “The thing he shared with me that still resonates: Play what you want to hear. And following that, the two golden rules: Play it in tune and play it in good time.”

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New AC/DC DVD Features Lemmy, Scott Ian, Billy Corgan

It’s a good time to be alive if you can’t get enough of AC/DC on DVD and Blu-ray. Fresh off the release of Live at River Plate, the band’s 1979 concert doc Let There Be Rock is being issued for the first time on DVD and Blu-ray on June 7. While River Plate showcases the band on their most recent tour, Let There Be Rock features a Paris show and includes the late Bon Scott on vocals (in his final filmed concert).

Preview clips of the concert and the disc’s special features have been made available via Blabbermouth.net. One video shows guitar god Angus Young taking the show into the audience, while another features Anthrax’s Scott Ian and Guns N’ Roses’ Matt Sorum discussing the wild antics of Bon Scott. Check out both clips below.

The DVD/Blu-ray edition features a half-dozen special features in addition to the concert footage. Billy Corgan, Lemmy Kilmister and Def Leppard’s Rick Allen all were interviewed about the legacy of the band.

Let There Be Rock tracklist:

1. “Live Wire”
2. “Shot Down in Flames”
3. “Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be”
4. “Sin City”
5. “Walk All Over You”
6. “Bad Boy Boogie”
7. “The Jack”
8. “Highway to Hell”
9. “Girls Got Rhythm”
10. “High Voltage”
11. “Whole Lotta Rosie”
12. “Rocker”
13. “Let There Be Rock”

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ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons Named Texas State Musician

The Texas Commission on the Arts has revealed that ZZ Top guitarist and rock legend Billy Gibbons has been named the Texas State Musician for 2012 by the Texas State Legislature. The honor includes a one-year term. Singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett is the Texas State Musician for 2011, according to a press release. The legislature also named poet laureates, two-dimensional artists and three-dimensional artists for 2011 and 2012.

“To say we’re proud to be named Texas State Musician for 2012 would be a complete understatement,” Gibbons said in the release. “To be so honored along with our good friend Lyle Lovett makes this recognition that much sweeter, and a tip of the hat to 2012 Texas State Three-Dimensional Artist Bill FitzGibbons.  And, we promise to forward all mail sent our way that might be intended for him.”

More information on each inductee can be found at www.arts.state.tx.us/stateartist.

“For years, Texan artists have inspired people across our state and nation to share in their unique experiences and expand their creative horizons,” said State Representative Ryan Guillen, Chairman of the House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism. “It’s important that the residents of our state recognize these individuals for their invaluable artistic contributions which have enhanced the lives of so many.”

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