Título: Billy Corgan
Seção: 1967-1987: Childhood and formative years
Background: William Patrick Corgan Jr. (born March 17, 1967) is an American musician, songwriter, producer, poet, and professional wrestling magnate. He is best known as the lead singer, primary songwriter, guitarist, and sole permanent member of The Smashing Pumpkins. Formed by Corgan and guitarist James Iha in Chicago, Illinois, in 1988, the band quickly gained steam with the addition of bassist D'arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. Strong album sales and large-scale tours propelled the band's increasing fame in the 1990s until their break-up in 2000.

Conteúdo: William Patrick Corgan Jr. was born at Columbus Hospital in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood on March 17, 1967 as the oldest son of William Corgan Sr., a blues/rock guitarist, and Martha Louise Maes Corgan Lutz. He was raised Catholic. His parents had one more son, Ricky, before divorcing in 1970. His father was soon remarried to a flight attendant, and Corgan and his brother went to live with them in Glendale Heights, Illinois. During this time, Corgan alleges he was subject to much physical and emotional abuse by his stepmother. Corgan also developed a protective bond with his younger paternal half-brother, who had special needs as a child. When Corgan's father and stepmother separated, all three boys would live alone with the stepmother, with both of Corgan's birth parents living separately within an hour's drive.  Corgan, who grew much faster than his fellow students, was a strong athlete in elementary school. In addition to being a member of his Marquardt Middle School baseball team, he collected baseball cards (amassing over 10,000) and listened to every Chicago Cubs game. However, by the time he began attending Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream, Illinois, he had become only an average athlete. He decided to start playing guitar when he went over to a friend's house and saw his friend's Flying V. Corgan gave his savings to his father, who bought him a used Les Paul knock-off. Corgan, Sr. steered his son stylistically, encouraging him to listen to Jeff Beck a

user: What was his childhood like?

assistant: Corgan, who grew much faster than his fellow students, was a strong athlete in elementary school.

user: What sports did he play?

assistant: baseball team,

user: Was he into music as a child?

assistant: Corgan performed in a string of bands in high school,

user: What else was he interested in as a child?

assistant: school. In addition to being a member of his Marquardt Middle School baseball team, he collected baseball cards (

user: Are there any other interesting aspects about this article?

assistant: Corgan performed with Wayne Static in Static's first band Deep Blue Dream,

user: Was that the first band he was part of?

assistant: Corgan performed in a string of bands in high school,

user: What other bands was he part of?

assistant: CANNOTANSWER

user: What else was he interested in growing up?

assistant: he had become only an average athlete. He decided to start playing guitar when he went over to a friend's house

user: Did he play any other instruments?

assistant: CANNOTANSWER