Billy Corgan says Green Day is bigger than The Ramones

The Smashing Pumpkins guitarist, singer and main songwriter Billy Corgan was influenced by many different bands in Rock and Roll. Although his band did a different kind of music, he loves Black Sabbath and The Ramones, for example.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, the musician talked about Green Day and explained that they actually became bigger than The Ramones because of their influence and success, being one of the few Punk bands that really reached mainstream success. They sold an estimated amount of more than 75 million records during their career while Ramones sold much less than that.

Billy Corgan says Green Day is bigger than The Ramones

Smashing Pumpkins recently toured with Green Day and after being asked about the tour, he said: “It was awesome. The crowds were great. Green Day was so gracious. We couldn’t have had a better summer. It was one of my favorite tours of all time. I obviously knew the Green Day guys since we did Lollapalooza together back in ’94. They used to laugh at me when I would play basketball against the monks, and snicker like the punks they are.”

“But they’ve obviously gone on to such tremendous success, and they were so gracious in being hosts, not only to us, but to Rancid and the Linda Lindas. The vibe on the tour was incredible. It was just the spirit of what it’s supposed to be when you put bands together. It was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had, and we’re forever grateful to them. They were such great ambassadors. “Speaking of Green Day, in a living and beautiful light, I had this feeling the other day, and maybe I’m very late to this party…”

“I think it had something to do with the fact that they just got their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I’m watching them get their star and they certainly deserve it. I had this moment where I was reminiscing and I was like, Wow, I’ve known these guys for over 30 years, and we just did this tour. Oh my God, they’re bigger than the Ramones. What I mean by that is that in the world I grew up in, the Ramones were number one.”

“In a way, they always will be number one because they were first. But then I realized, Oh my God, Green Day has actually done it. They are bigger than the Ramones. Their influence is greater, their reach is greater, and certainly their success is greater. And that’s all power to them. I’m late to that party at 58 years old, and I’ve known them and watched them and listened to them and been a competitor, right? But even I have to go, Wow, they’ve done it,” Billy Corgan said.

The Smashing Pumpkins sold an estimated amount of more than 30 million records worldwide. Their two most famous albums are “Siamese Dream” (1993) and “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” (1995).