The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to The Magnificent Others, the podcast where host Billy Corgan engages in profound conversations with extraordinary individuals who have reached the pinnacle of success in their respective fields. In each episode, Billy delves into the stories and insights of high achievers, exploring the multifaceted journey that leads to greatness. Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Billy Corgan sits down with the one and only Gene Simmons to probe beyond the kabuki makeup and monster riffs that made KISS a household name. From celebrating Gene’s triumphant final shows at Madison Square Garden to dissecting the band’s forays into disco and beyond, Gene opens up about his earliest days hustling in rat-infested lofts, his eye for shameless self-promotion, and the emotional weight of saying goodbye to a stage persona that defined millions of childhoods—including Billy’s. Meanwhile, Billy holds Gene’s feet to the fire on everything from KISS’s critical underestimation to the creative interplay that kept Gene and Paul Stanley’s partnership alive for half a century. Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Billy Corgan sits down with Rage Against the Machine co-founder Tom Morello to trace the path from Tom’s earliest days as a KISS-obsessed comic-book devotee to his rise as a musical agitator on the biggest stages in rock. Tom reveals how dropping into the Sunset Strip glam scene led to a short-lived major-label deal that taught him never to compromise his artistry. He recalls the explosive formation of RATM, “a ring of power that drives men mad”—and dives deep into why Rage’s politically charged fusion shook the world. You’ll also hear about his boundary-pushing work in Audioslave alongside Chris Cornell’s transcendent vocals, plus his acoustic alter ego, The Nightwatchman, born of a hunger for unfiltered activism. But there’s more to Tom than riffs and revolution: he’s a proud father, film producer, and fierce defender of the unsung heroes of heavy metal, Judas Priest. Balancing a hardwired passion for justice with family life, Tom Morello offers a master class in remaining unapologetically true to yourself—even when that truth demands you stand front and center with a guitar in one hand and a protest sign in the other. If you’ve ever wondered how an avowed political rebel and virtuoso shredder finds his place in an ever-changing music industry—and in a world still hungry for change—this conversation is a must-listen. Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Billy Corgan sits down with the iconic Sharon Osbourne—manager extraordinaire, TV personality, and the formidable force behind Ozzy Osbourne’s enduring career.   Sharon opens up about her incredible life in show business, starting with childhood memories of her father, notorious music impresario Don Arden, and all the mischief and magic that came with growing up around rock legends like Gene Vincent, Little Richard, and the Small Faces. Billy and Sharon also dive deep into the early days of Black Sabbath: from Ozzy’s first London gigs and sweaty club shows to the challenges and triumphs that reshaped heavy metal forever.   From the business battles that tested Sharon’s mettle, to the behind-the-scenes stories of how she helped Ozzy break away from an impossible contract to forge one of the most successful solo careers in rock, they cover near-disasters and triumphant comebacks, all fueled by Sharon’s fearless determination and her unwavering belief in the power of music. Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Billy Corgan sits down with Wolfgang Van Halen for a candid and far-reaching conversation about music, identity, and forging a creative path in the long shadow of one of rock’s greatest legends. Wolfgang opens up about his drive to earn every opportunity on his own merits, reflecting on the dual realities of carrying a famous name and longing simply to be recognized as a credible musician. He talks about his musical foundation—from pounding out blink-182 drum fills to honing a powerful and versatile lead vocal style—and how those early passions shaped the sound of Mammoth. He dives into the band’s whirlwind experiences supporting Metallica, the importance of maintaining a rock-solid live show without backing tracks, and the reality of navigating public scrutiny in the hyperconnected era of social media. Along the way, Wolfgang shares personal memories of his father, Eddie Van Halen, explaining both the encouragement and quiet expectations that fueled his ambition and helped him endure the commentary and comparisons that inevitably follow him and much more. Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Billy Corgan sits down with legendary songwriter Diane Warren for an unfiltered conversation about her relentless work ethic, creative process, and groundbreaking career. Warren opens up about her daily routine, the organized chaos of her longtime writing space ("The Cave"), and her strong preference for working alone. They explore how the music industry has shifted from talent-driven opportunities to data-driven metrics like TikTok trends, why true artistry isn’t about following trends, how resilience, defying doubt, and proving people wrong are ongoing themes in her music and much more. Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Billy Corgan welcomes Howie Mandel for a revealing conversation that looks beyond the spotlight. Howie candidly discusses living with ADHD, OCD, and germophobia—often mistaken for comedic quirks—and explains why stand-up remains his most honest outlet, despite its nerve-wracking edge. They explore how childhood experiences drove Howie’s need for control, prompting him to build his own studio and work with family. He admits medication helps him function but sometimes numbs his emotions, and while hosting “Deal or No Deal” revived his career, it also overshadowed his identity as a comedian. Ultimately, he emphasizes that comedy and tragedy share the same roots, and that true fulfillment comes from embracing the present moment. Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this candid conversation Billy Corgan sits down with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo who lay bare the real stories behind 45 years of music, marriage, and refusing to play by anyone else’s rules. They reflect on their Roman Catholic upbringings—incense, confessions, and all—and how that shaped them as restless creatives unwilling to settle. From the powerful genesis of “Hell Is for Children” to the revelation that struck when Pat first heard Neil’s guitar, they describe forging a distinct rock identity with no safety net.  They also get frank about living out of a Winnebago with a newborn in tow, the music industry’s disinterest in motherhood, and the intimate give-and-take that still sparks their writing sessions today. Whether it’s a new children’s book on grandparents, reimagining a classic in the studio, or standing up to label pressure in the ’80s, Pat and Neil share how trust, mutual respect, and a shared sense of purpose sustain them—onstage, offstage, and everywhere in between. Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Billy Corgan welcomes Corey Feldman for a raw, often eye-opening conversation that transcends Corey’s iconic 80s filmography and exposes the deeper realities of life in the spotlight. Feldman shares intimate stories of survival—addiction, broken industry promises, and tabloid oversimplifications—while describing his unshakable creative passion for music. Billy digs into the near-miss roles, business pitfalls, and the resolve that drives Corey’s artistry while Feldman reflects on standing his ground after childhood fame robbed him of normalcy, grappling with public sobriety, and forging a musical path—critics be damned. If you think you already know Corey Feldman, this conversation will make you reconsider. Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this candid, in-depth conversation, Billy Corgan sits down with legendary guitarist, singer, and songwriter Richie Sambora. Together they dig into how success comes at different speeds, the real story behind life in Bon Jovi, and the balancing act that happens once the show is over and you head back home to family. They talk about cutting tracks in the old days, the headspace it takes to perform for 80,000 fans, and what truly matters when the stage lights go down. Richie’s honesty reveals a side of him few get to see—how fatherhood, heartbreak, and a raw passion for making music have guided his choices. No overblown rock myths here—just two musicians talking about their craft, the road they’ve traveled, and the personal challenges that shape them both on and offstage. Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices