Linda Perry says Billy Corgan’s “Debbie Downer” attitude caused her to boot him from a studio session with Courtney Love.
In a new interview with NME, the 61-year-old singer-songwriter and producer recalled ejecting Corgan from the session because his attitude was killing the mood.
“Courtney Love is an incredibly intelligent woman,” Perry said. “We were working on a record once when Billy Corgan came in and he was a Debbie Downer and ruining the vibe.”
By that point, both Perry and Corgan already had long creative histories with Love. Perry co-wrote songs for Love’s 2004 solo album, America's Sweetheart, and Hole’s 2010 release, Nobody's Daughter. Corgan had previously worked on Hole’s 1998 album Celebrity Skin and collaborated with both Love and Perry on the song “Samantha” from Nobody’s Daughter. He also dated Love before her 1992 marriage to Kurt Cobain.
As Courtney’s eyes bulged, I said: ‘You’re walking around like you’re God’s gift to fucking rock and roll. You’ve got bad energy. I want you out of my studio.’”
— Linda Perry
Perry didn’t specify which album session the incident took place during, but she said the confrontation stunned both Corgan and Love.
“Courtney and Billy have incredible history together, but my band said, ‘We can’t continue with this guy,’” Perry recalled. “Finally, I went into the control room, looked at Billy and said: ‘You gotta go, man.’”
“As Courtney’s eyes bulged, I said: ‘You’re walking around like you’re God’s gift to fucking rock and roll. You’ve got bad energy. I want you out of my studio.’”
“Billy was shocked and left.”
Perry said Love was equally surprised by the move.
“Courtney couldn’t believe I’d kicked him out of my studio, and thought it was ballsy,” Perry continued. “Then I realized, ‘Oh, she’s a pussy!’ Courtney acts like this tough person — and she is. She’s very intimidating, but really she is a bottom. She wants to be kind and wants a hug and she’s very gentle, but she has an armor she puts up.”
Despite the clash, Perry made clear she still holds Love in high regard and is excited about her return to rock music. Love recently discussed her upcoming album with Corgan on his podcast The Magnificent Others, revealing that former Hole bass guitarist Melissa Auf der Maur and Will Sergeant will contribute to the project.
“I love her and have had amazing experiences with her,” Perry said. “The world needs Courtney Love back, and I can’t wait for her new record because there isn’t anyone else like her.”
Perry has never been shy about speaking her mind. In a recent interview with Guitar Player, she also accused Third Eye Blind frontman Stephan Jenkins of fabricating a longtime story about the pair sharing songs together before they each found fame.
“I don’t even know what the fuck he’s talking about. That never happened,” Perry said. “Listen, that guy is so full of shit. I’m not shocked that he would tell such a lie, but that’s not even true.”
Perry’s new album, Let It Die Here, arrived on May 8. The 17-track collection is her first solo release in more than 25 years.
