March 11, 2009 17:22

Smashing Pumpkins frontman testifies before US Congress

Billy Corgan seeks radio compensation for performers

Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan testified before US Congress yesterday (March 10) in an effort to seek monetary compensation for performers whose songs are broadcast on terrestrial radio.

The singer spoke before the House Committee on the Judiciary during a hearing on the Performance Rights Act in Washington DC.

"I'm here as a representative of the musicFIRST coalition, to give voice to fellow artists and musicians who have joined together to assert their right to be compensated for the airing of their musical performances on terrestrial radio," Corgan said in his opening remarks.

He went on to assert that performers whose songs are aired on the radio should have the same rights to be compensated as the songwriters, who currently receive compensation each time their songs are aired.

"The change to the law we are here to discuss only redresses an outmoded, unfair practice that favours one participant's needs over another," he said. This legislation is simply a form of restoration to artists long overdue."

Corgan's complete testimony can be seen on Smashing Pumpkins' website .

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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