Well...that's a good question. I guess there's so many varied reasons for why I'm a fan. Since I'm not in a novel-writing mood at the moment, I'll be to the point and just say that I've been a fan since the age of 9. Billy Corgan must be doing something right, then. Must be doing a LOT of things right, that is. From the personal to the public persona, he's one of the greatest human beings around. It's only too bad that there's not many people in this world like him. We could use more people of his intelligence, compassion, and perseverance, not to mention creativity and vision. I mean, he's a person not afraid of showing his humanity, regardless if he says incredibly smart or incredibly stupid things. His plain humanity has always drawn me to him...to essentially come from nothing and nowhere and become what he is today, yet retain that essence of humanity is quite a feat.

I suppose I've been a fan for so long because Billy is one person I can truly identify with. The way we grew up, our childhoods, etc. Many similarities I don't wish to delve into...

Why am I a fan? I also happen to like decent music. The revival of the Smashing Pumpkins couldn't have come at a better time. Too many things are going wrong with people, the world, that we need something of beauty to balance all the ugliness--ugliness in the media and entertainment industry, popular culture, and so on. We need bands like the Pumpkins and people like Billy to continue working to counteract all the negative energy and influences out there today.