Will the Smashing Pumpkins be remembered in 20 years?
 

Have they made a lasting contribution in rock history?

Do you think new generations will discover and listen to their music?

Who?

Man you beat me to it :)

I think they will be. For alot of people who grew up in the mid-90's their music is a part of their youth. Also, they were one of the groups that spearheaded the alternative movement. Will their last three albums be remembered, most likely not. But Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness definitley will be.

...and Gish! Don't forget Gish!

No. I'd say most teenagers have forgotten them already. They had some great songs, but didn't jump into the "legendary" category for me.

I'll remember them. They were a big part of my college years, and I saw them on their farewell tour - a fantastic show. Their music will stand the test of time, because it's difficult to categorize.

Yep. Of course. They'll still be playing all the hits from SD in twenty years. Will they be remembered in fifty years would be a better question.

the teenagers of today aren't even familiar. for those of us who were teenagers, i don't think we'll ever forget them. at least those who were such in the mid 90's. their later stuff is totally forgettable.

I think they've made enough of an impact to leave a lasting impression on a generation of young bands.

Then, when that scene gets popular in 20 or so years, Virgin will be able to market the hell out of their back catalog...then the whole "retro is cool" thing will come into play.

See: The Strokes => The Velvet Underground, Television
Also see: Interpol => Joy Division, The Cure

I listened to them from around 12-16. Like Beck's Odelay, Siamese Dream and Melon Collie And The Infinite Sadness will be remembered for a long, long time. Especially Melon Collie.

Just like Modest Mouse in my late teens.

Just like Sage Francis in my early twenties.

This thread makes me get out Melon Collie cd and listen. Thanks.

I always thought they were better than Nirvana and that Siamese Dream was way better than Nevermind.

So I will at least always remember them.

I agree completely.

The Smashing Pumpkins were derided by some in the early 90's because they were more influenced by pop (Cheap Trick, New Order) than the grunge bands who were influenced by punk.

But, after Cobain blew his brains out and Bullet With Butterfly Wings was the hard rock song-du-jour, MTV pinned all their hopes of the rock revival on them (in a way). Of course, Adore was commercial failure and got mixed reviews so the rock revival thing kind of died there.

In my opinion, Corgan is one of the best performers from the 90s. I never had the chance to see the Pumpkins live, but if it was anything like the ZWAN show I saw in 2003, they were FULL OF ENERGY. You wouldn't think it since a lot his songs are slow or soft, but he really rocks. He really is an entertainer for his audience and is definitely there to please them.

The Smashing Pumpkins is one of my favorite bands :).

To answer the original question, I really don't think so. My nephew is 18. He knows all about Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, STP, Alice in Chains and even Hootie and the Blowfish (just to name another band from the same time frame), but I asked him about the Pumpkins and he said he had no clue. I know that 18 means he was only 13 at the end of the 90's, but I think knowing something about the other bands says something. For further research, I asked my mom. She is 52. She is not a fan of new music by any means, but she does listen to the radio. She knows all of the above mentioned bands as well, but again no Pumpkins. So I think that people that liked them in the 90's will listen to them in 20 years, but I really doubt that they would be on the classic rock station in 20 years.

I love Corgan and think he was a great artist. I though Iha was a good performer as well and was happy to see him touring with a Perfect Circle last year.

strong agreement !

I think so. For me Siamese Dream will always be one of my all time favorites with Gish and a few others being memorable too. The band as whole, could also deliver the goods live, and then some, so I could care less if others remember them or not, in their prime the Smashing Pumpkins rocked hard-just ask anyone who saw them on the Siamese tour in a small club. It's not all that often you see that energy equalled in a live setting, and those bands that do are usually remembered for a long time. If others remember them too, then I'm glad they recognize good rock when they hear it, regardless of the era.

I hope they would be appreciated.Since Im only 20, I didnt have the experience to fully appreciate their earlier work (SD and Gish), but I always loved "Tonight Tonight" so bought MC around 1998. I actually liked their later stuff too (Adore, Machina) and will conitnue to check out all of their work. I wish they came out when I couldve experienced them more/better because they have made many of my all time favorite songs.

I disagree. I was in high school 90-94. When I think of the great bands of the 90's I think

Nirvana
Pearl Jam
STP
Alice in Chains
Soundgarden

and to a lesser degree Weezer, only for the fact the blue album is brilliant. I ALWAYS forget about the Pumpkins.

I listen to Mellon Collie all the time, it is one of my favorite albums of all time. I hope their music lives on, I think they were around long enough to impact people who will pass it on to younger friends, relatives, etc.

I also believe they'll live on because of their 'Tonight Tonight' video. I've asked a bunch of friends recently what their favorite music video was, and the majority all seemed to remember it as being one of the best. I even remember when I took a film class in high school, we watched it after watched George Melies 'A Trip to the Moon.' It's a classic.

This thread reminded me to order the Smashing Pumpkins - Greatest Hits Video Collection DVD from Amazon.

Well, be glad you didn't go to a Smashing Pumpkins concert then. I've seen them in concert twice, and both times they were extremely boring. In fact, I'd go as far as saying they had the worst entertainment value out of any major show I've ever been to. They all just stand on stage in one spot doing their thing and never really show any sign of life. I've read many similar reviews of their shows as well.

I saw them twice as well. The first show (Mellon Collie tour in Dallas) was incredible. Played a great set - very energetic - great song selection. On the final encore Corgan said they were done playing "songs" for the night so everyone was free to leave; however, if anyone wanted to just hang out and jam they were welcome to. They played about a 45 minutes jam session.

That said, I've seen some concert videos and heard other's accounts that match exactly what you're saying. I think it was all on what kind of mood you caught Billy in.

There was talk a few years ago of releasing their final concert on DVD. I haven't heard anything else about it, but would love to have that see the light of day.

I saw them in the shittiest concert I've ever experienced back in 1994, less than 40 minutes of music and then they walked off stage for no particular reason. Practically had a riot in the audience. Awful show.

I'm also in agreement.

Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie are both amazing discs. H@ll I enjoy Machina even, and Ava Adore, all for different reasons.

Saw them over 15 times, and they were always solid, with my only complain being the second to last show they did at the UC, that sucked, the last one made up for it though ;)

They don't really get the credit they deserve I feel, but that's ok with me.

Even if the Pumpkins aren't remembered, I'm pretty sure it's safe to say billy Corgan will be, at least I feel he gets a ton of credit still, much of it deserved.