Growing up in small town in Southwest Michigan in the 90’s, Smashing Pumpkins was the first band I truly LOVED. I discovered them on Q101, the Chicago alternative rock station, we were able to access from across the lake. The first time I heard those overdubbed guitars, I was entranced. I immediately bought Siamese Dream, Gish and any other LP/EP/B-Side/Import I could get my hands on. It was pre-internet, so anything special had to be ordered via mail. I remember when I got my Vieuphoria VHS delivered. I watched it so many times the tape broke.

In 1996, when I was sixteen, I finally saw them live at the Palace of Auburn Hills on the Mellon Collie tour. It remains the most emotionally satisfying show I have ever seen. There is only one other show that comes close.

In 1999, while at MSU, I read that the Pumpkins were reuniting with Jimmy to showcase new songs in smaller venues. There was only nine dates. By luck, the first show was in Detroit only 90 minutes away from East Lansing. Regrettably, we screwed up and tickets sold out in minutes. Scrambling, we were able to score two tickets to the second show of the tour at Bogarts in Cincinnati Ohio – 5 hours away from East Lansing.

We drove brimming with anticipation, playing their songs the entire way, a credit to their amazing library. When we arrived, we caught a glimpse of Billy in a nearby music shop checking out guitars. Everyone at the show was a die-hard fan, so the energy was electric.

The Pumpkins came out and for the next 2.5 hours proceeded to rock our faces off. They played from Gish (I am One), Siamese Dream (Today, Soma, Geek USA), Pisces Iscariot (La Dolly Vita), Mellon Collie (Muzzle, Zero), Adore (Pug) and all the Machina songs were mind-blowing live. All told there were 21 songs with 3 encores. This was the last tour that the original members played together. D’arcy was out of the band by the end of this brief run of shows.

While part of me wishes I could relive this show with some photos or video, the truth is, I’m glad I didn’t have a smart phone. My eyes were fixated on the stage watching one the greatest bands of all time play for 1,500 people.

Here is the setlist: https://spcodex.wiki/wiki/The_Smashing_Pumpkins_1999-04-12

One last thing, after nearly 30 years of fandom, I had the opportunity to meet Billy briefly in the lobby of my office building in Los Angeles. I have worked in and around entertainers for 20 years, but I have never been more nervous to speak to someone before. All I really could say was “thank you” for the music & memories. He couldn’t have been nicer.