If you have ever watched the PBS show “Antiques Roadshow” you may have seen people bring in an old American made electric guitar, only to be surprised to learn it is worth thousands and thousands. Major musical instrument makers like Fender and Gibson were selling now famous guitars in the 1960s, to a growing hoard of then teen-aged baby boomers, all crazy for Rock n’ Roll. From that time, it would take almost another 30 years for the word to realize it, but in addition to great guitars, America (specifically the Chicago-land area) also produced several of the favorite musicians of rock fans, including ground breaking song writers and guitar players.

I am not suggesting there was something in the water around Chicago and it’s sprawling suburbs at that time. I’m also not suggesting the the coincidence of birth time and place has any meaning, other than it’s fun to take notice. I won’t even mention that all the members of Radiohead were all born around the same time, but in another place.

Here is a list of significant Guitar Players raised in the 1960s, in “sweet home” Chicago-land

Billy Corgan, born 1967, grew up in Glendale Heights, IL

So much has been written about this Early 90’s rock icon, I won’t be able to add any new or significant information. To me Corgan, and his affinity for 70s Strats, fat headstocks and all, was too cool to be true at the time. I first learned about this band after a college friend went to see a Poster Children show ( they were a big deal around U of I at the time) at a local club in Champaign, and came away a Pumkins (an opening act at the time) fan for life. He loaned me his vinyl of Tristessa he bought at the door that night, and I made a cassette copy. Not long afterwards, we were all eager to buy their first LP, Gish, released on indie moniker Caroline Records. My first chance to see them live was Dec 31, 1991 at the famous “Cabaret” Metro. It was a great show (Corgan had plenty of hair then). M TV cameras were outside the venue, and good ‘ol JBTV (the local music scene’s video go-to) was capturing the show on video tape inside.

That album, and it’s unashamed dedication to pure rock guitar was something of a throwback, but made new at the time. The combination of a drummer with real chops, James Iha’s atmospheric and hammering rhythm, and Billy’s emotional leads were energizing. My respect for the songwriting and performances on that record are enough to keep me a fan for life as well.

I ran into Billy at Metro at some other show in early 1992, and offered him tickets to my band’s upcoming show at a small West side club, a gig also featuring a Judas Priest cover band (we took the gigs we could get…). Billy told me he may come to see the cover band! I met him again at a party at Kerry Brown’s Studioworks recording studio, and reminded him of the incident. He told me, with a grin, he would make the same choice again. I guess I will have to put that in my smoke and pipe it then…

There is always this, dive bombs, (what is hanging from his guitar, a roach clip?), and all to enjoy: