Billy Corgan Praises Rush’s Return and Why He Believes They Are Among the Greatest Bands of All Time
Photo by claudia.rahanmetan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Corgan Welcomes Rush’s Comeback
Billy Corgan is fully behind Rush’s decision to perform again, even without their late drummer Neil Peart. While some fans have expressed disappointment, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman has nothing but support for the band’s return. During an appearance on the YouTube show Track Star, he called Rush “one of the greatest bands of all time,” adding, “Happy to see they’re gonna go out and play again. I think it’s really cool. Obviously, they’ve been through a loss with their bandmate, but I think it’s perfect that they’re finally gonna go back out and play. There’s so much love for them.”
Corgan also shared how powerful he expects their first shows back will feel. “I can’t even imagine the emotion that’s going to be in the room when they start playing again,” he said. For him, Rush’s influence and the loyalty of their fanbase leave no doubt that their return will be meaningful for many people who grew up with their music.
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Why He Thinks Rush Still Matters
In the interview, Corgan described Rush as the “ultimate hipster-killer band,” explaining that they were never considered trendy but still became essential inspirations for countless musicians. He made it clear that the group’s lasting impact goes beyond their well-known technical skill, noting that their emotional depth is what truly sets them apart.
“There’s so much heart in Rush,” Corgan explained. He pointed to Neil Peart’s lyrics as a source of connection for people who grew up in the 1970s and ’80s, especially those who identified with feelings of isolation. “Neil, his lyrics particularly, gave voice to what it felt like to be a latchkey kid growing up in suburbia — that sense of alienation,” he said.
Rush’s Heart Beneath the Technical Precision
Corgan pushed back on the idea that Rush’s music is only about complex playing or musical precision. For him, the band’s skill is simply another expression of their emotional core. “If you’re a Rush fan, you know that band is all heart,” he said. “The people who aren’t fans, they get lost in the technical part, but that’s just like the male way of giving a hug. It’s like, ‘We’re gonna riff together. We won’t hug, but we’ll just riff together.’ You know? That’s Rush.”
He praised the band for staying true to themselves, keeping their identity intact for decades. Corgan’s admiration highlights both the personal and artistic impact Rush continues to have on musicians and fans.
Corgan’s full discussion covers several bands, and the section about Rush begins at around the 7:30 mark in the video.
