Simon Kirke | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan

The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan

Billy Corgan

Music, Arts, Performing Arts

4.6 • 731 Ratings

🗓️ 19 November 2025

⏱️ 79 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Billy Corgan sits down with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Simon Kirke (Free, Bad Company) for a sharp, funny, and revealing dive into 50 years of rock majesty. Simon traces his journey from growing up in poverty to the lightning-bolt moment drums grabbed him, the fateful coin flip that led him to Paul Kossoff and the creation of “All Right Now,” and then to forming Bad Company with Paul Rodgers and Mick Ralphs. Together, they dive into the grooves of Stax vs. Motown, the genius of Al Jackson Jr., Ringo Starr, and Charlie Watts, and the art of serving the song rather than showing off chops. Along the way, Simon shares stories about Jimmy Page, John Bonham, Steve Marriott, and Queen. It’s a masterclass in rock history and rhythm. Subscribe to the Magnificent Others YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	So we got a TV, a black and white TV.
0:02.0	Yeah.
0:03.0	And the very first thing that I saw when the thing, you turned it on and that little white dot opened up,
0:09.0	was this thing called, a program called All That Jazz.
0:13.0	And it featured big bands.
0:15.0	All in black and white, so I'm riveted by this...
0:19.0	and the drum and the lights were shining off the symbols and then he did
0:24.6	he said well it's funny you should say that because he's getting a sack tonight
0:29.6	this is last night and we are auditioning tomorrow at this same place
0:34.6	so I tossed a coin
0:36.6	and I did I swear to God.
0:39.4	We came off stage to the sound of our own footsteps.
0:42.6	A lot of space in that, man.
0:43.8	A lot of space, a lot of hash.
0:46.2	We swunk a lot of hash.
0:48.2	Congratulations, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
0:49.8	Thank you.
0:50.2	Well deserved.
0:50.9	Thank you.
0:53.4	Mr. Simon Kirk. Billy Colgan. Thank you for being deserved. Thank you. Mr. Simon Kirk.
0:55.0	Billy Corgan.
0:56.0	Thank you for being here.
	...

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