Billy Corgan is not backing down from his friendship with Marilyn Manson. Appearing on the New York Times Popcast, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman said he personally didn’t feel Manson was guilty of the things he was being charged with, and he cited the Los Angeles District Attorney dropping a sexual assault case against Manson last year. He also made his position clear: if anyone in that situation is actually guilty, they should go to jail.
The friendship runs deeper than most fans realize. Manson’s wife, Lindsay Warner, has a twin sister who is married to Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, which makes the two rockers family by marriage. Corgan also pointed to the pair’s long history, including a 15-year falling out that ended when they reconciled onstage in London in December 2014.
Meanwhile, Smashing Pumpkins are in the middle of their Rats in a Cage fall tour, celebrating 30 years of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Corgan’s comments are already sparking debate about loyalty, dropped charges, and how much the court of public opinion should factor into who your friends are. We want to know where you land. Are you on Team Stand By Your Friends, or should serious allegations always change things? Sound off in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.