“The reason everybody knows Eric Clapton’s name is not because he’s a great guitar player”: Billy Corgan says virtuosic guitar solos mean nothing in the social media age – and argues guitar influencers need to make a bigger impact on popular music

Billy Corgan holds his picking hand to his head as he holds a note on his Reverend signature model.

Billy Corgan is falling out of love with guitar solos and social media is to blame – or, at least, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman believes that the ubiquitous spectacle of virtuoso playing on social media platforms has devalued the traditional guitar solo.

In a recent interview with Guitar World, Corgan argues that no one is impressed by technicality anymore, and it has made him rethink his entire approach to lead guitar. Catch the Smashing Pumpkins in concert and you might only see him play a couple of solos – and he is going to keep them brief.