Taylor Swift’s former drummer has been selected as the new guitarist for the iconic rock band, Smashing Pumpkins, following a search for a replacement guitarist. Kiki Wong, a multi-talented musician who previously played with Taylor Swift and other artists, expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to tour with the band starting in June. The upcoming tour with Green Day will delay lead singer Billy Corgan’s professional wrestling aspirations, as he had purchased the National Wrestling Alliance in 2017.
Rockin’ News: Taylor Swift Drummer Takes Center Stage as Guitarist for Iconic Band
After a nationwide search for a guitarist, a legendary rock band has tuned to Taylor Swift for help narrowing the field. The group announced that Taylor’s former drummer will step in during their upcoming world tour. Alternative rockers Smashing Pumpkins put out an open call for a new guitarist shortly after the new year, after Jeff Schroeder left the band last October. On Friday, lead singer Billy Corgan announced they had made their choice – multi-talented musician Kiki Wong.
The Search for the Perfect Guitarist
“Reviewing the work of these incredible musicians was a herculean, albeit worthy effort,” Billy said in a statement on the band’s Instagram page. “First off, I really want to thank everyone who submitted materials for consideration. It wasn’t an easy decision with how much great guitar playing we were lucky enough to hear and see over the past few months.”
Meet Kiki Wong: From Taylor Swift’s Drummer to Smashing Pumpkins’ Guitarist
Kiki previously played on stage with Taylor at the 2014 VMA’s. She also performed with Usher at CBS’s Fashion Rocks that year, and she was the lead guitarist for Bret Michael’s in a commercial for Nissan. After the reveal, the California native shared her own enthusiastic announcement to her social media.
“It’s been an absolute wild ride, but I am beyond honored and humbled to be chosen to perform alongside some of rock’s greatest and most influential musicians of all time,” Kiki wrote online. “I never thought little ol’ 15-year-old me playing metal guitar in my bedroom would amount to this moment. It goes to show hard work and perseverance truly pays off if you’re willing to push through the tough stuff, so never lose hope out there. I am so grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to share the stage with the legendary Smashing Pumpkins!”
The Road Ahead: Rocking Out on Tour
Kiki will now set out with the band in June for a global tour. The Smashing Pumpkins will play stateside starting in July, touring with Green Day. The upcoming tour means Billy may have to put his professional wrestling dreams on hold. In 2017, the Tonight, Tonight singer purchased the National Wrestling Alliance – a league that once ruled wrestling’s governing body – in the days before the WWE. And like a good wrestling match, Billy’s business decision had its own drama and twists.
“Crazily enough, it was owned by one person. It was so devalued. He tried to sell it to everybody. Nobody wanted it, as far as I know,” Billy explained on the Talk is Jericho podcast in 2021. “He certainly offered it to WWE. They thought it was so worthless that they didn’t even just buy it just to take it off the market.” He continued: “Then when I bought it, Jim Cornette and other people, and I loved Jim. ‘What the hell did he buy? He might as well have bought air. He bought three worthless letters.’ “A lot of that type of stuff and certainly I sat around at one point and thought, ‘Well, if I started, Billy Corgan Wrestling or SP Wrestling’, and I thought, ‘no, I want the history. I’ll take that history. I’ll take that on. I like the challenge of that.'”
So, as Kiki Wong gears up to join the Smashing Pumpkins on their rocking tour, Billy Corgan might have to put his wrestling dreams on hold. It’s a whirlwind of excitement in the world of music and entertainment as these talented individuals come together to create unforgettable experiences for their fans.
