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Billy Corgan, 'American Idol': Smashing Pumpkins Frontman Wants to Be a Judge

Smashing PumpkinsKevin Winter, Getty Images

Simon Cowell may have a new unlikely contender for the vacant 'X Factor' judge position: Billy Corgan.

Following his March 13th SXSW panel discussion in which he rallied against the artistic business model that 'American Idol' and 'X Factor' have created, the Smashing Pumpkins singer admitted he would still be up for a judges position if it were offered.

"I'd love it," Corgan told Spinner.

In tune with his earlier diatribe during the panel, the rocker explained it's not 'Idol' that's the problem, but society's inability to culturally offset the effect of those shows on the music industry.

"I don't have a problem with 'Idol' or 'X Factor,' I have a problem with when those things are not given the proper contextual hue," he said. "If there's an 'American Idol' there should be a proper alternative counterbalance -- if there was hair metal, there was grunge, know what I mean?"

As such, Corgan said he can respect shows like 'American Idol' for being transparent in their aim, unlike most modern rock music, which he refers to as Laptop Rock due to its ability to blend into the background while one works.

"Laptop Rock is not the adequate response for 'American Idol' -- and everybody knows it."

Watch the Smashing Pumpkins' '1979' Video


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Amy Taylor

We gonna atend the tour in LA ..just ordered tickets at http://www.ticketsreview.com/concerts/american_idol_live_tickets/ It should be... exciting ? ! I've never even watched American Idol, LOL! But my family is all into it.

May 15 2012 at 12:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Purplelvstuff

Bad idea as Billy is not a good singer. Don't get me wrong. In the studio he can do some great screams and show some contrast, but live he is not very good with very poor breath support. He "might" be good at performance critique....but wouldn't bring anything as a vocalist.

March 16 2012 at 11:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
fashion_style

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March 15 2012 at 11:18 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply