Billy Corgan Headlining Benefit for Former Smashing Pumpkins Fan Club Leader

Billy Corgan will take the stage as part of the Backwards Clock Society in order to help raise money for Laura Masura, the former head of the Smashing Pumpkins fan club. Masura shattered her leg on Sept. 9 in a motorcycle crash on the Pacific Coast Highway, stalling her ability to make a living producing jams from ingredients obtained from local Southern California farms. The concert will take place at Los Angeles' Echoplex on Nov. 8.

Corgan, who will be joined by Kerry Brown of Ancient Chinese Secrets and Mark Tulin of Electric Prunes fame, will perform alongside other local artists that share a Chicago connection with Masura, including the Happy Stars (with Brian Young from Fountains of Wayne), the Pulsars, Tim Rutili of Red Red Meat and Califone, Pity Party and Light FM. The latter's Josiah Mazzaschi -- a former bandmate of Masura's when they played together in Motorhome -- is organizing the show to help cover medical bills and compensate for her lost income while she is wheelchair-bound.

In advance of the show, Corgan has also donated two special autographed items for auction: Jimmy Chamberlin's drum kit from the band's 1991 'Gish' sessions and tour, and Corgan's original bass guitar, which he played at the band's very first show and used on early demos. The items will be available via eBay soon.