Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips revealed his ongoing dislike for Billy Corgan in ‘Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock’s Wildest Festival.’
“Billy Corgan was such a raging asshole, especially back then, that you didn’t want to stick around and watch them,” Coyne said. “We liked a few of their songs, but we would just despise him after a while. So we’d leave right after the Beastie Boys played to avoid the traffic, because the audience was also starting to clear out.”
“We’re still avoiding him to this day,” he continued. “We’ve played shows in the past couple years where he’s hanging around, and you can tell he wants to come into our dressing room. And we’re like, No, we’re not here!”
Coyne’s comments reference his experiences during the 1994 Lollapalooza festival. This decades-old tension continues to influence their interactions at present-day music events.
The animosity between the two musicians emerged during a pivotal moment in alternative rock history. WZXR reported that The Smashing Pumpkins stepped into the headlining spot after Kurt Cobain’s death forced Nirvana’s withdrawal.
This unexpected promotion had a notable impact on Corgan’s behavior. Music Radar documented Corgan’s later admission about his confrontational approach. He viewed audiences as adversaries rather than fans during this period.
The tension spread beyond audience interactions. Consequence highlighted Corgan’s problematic treatment of crew members during the tour. His behavior toward guitar technician Billy Howerdel, who later formed A Perfect Circle, drew particular criticism from fellow musicians and industry professionals.
The events of the 1994 Lollapalooza tour created lasting divisions in the alternative rock community. These relationships remain strained even decades after the original incidents.
