Billy Corgan Planning Tribute To Bozo!

Like most kids who grew up in Chicago during the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, Billy Corgan was a big fan of the local TV show “Bozo’s Circus.” And now the Smashing Pumpkins frontman is planning to host a three-day Bozo the Clown tribute!

The Bozo-fest is set to be held in Corgan’s art and dining space, Madame ZuZu’s, which is located in Highland Park. He says the event will feature Bozo-related games, prizes, and even an appearance by the object of Corgan’s affections, Bozo. Actor David Arquette, who bought the rights to the famed clown in 2021, will make an appearance in Bozo makeup, Corgan says.

“I grew up loving ‘Bozo’s Circus’ and even had the incredible experience of attending the show as a child, as well as performing on WGN’s final episode on June 12th, 2001,” Corgan says. “Bringing Bozo to Highland Park is both surreal and fun and I’m excited for what’s to come.”

I, too, had the chance to be on the Bozo Show when I was a kid! Getting tickets to the Bozo Show was nearly impossible, but I was in Cub Scouts, and we must have gotten comp tickets or something, because I actually got to go TWICE! The first time, I was chosen to play in one of the games. It was one of the relay reaces where we had to balance an egg on the end of a spoon that was our mouths. When we went the second time, I remembered how they chose the kids to participate in the games, so I set myself up to be picked again. To my surprise, I WAS picked! I immediately felt guilty though, that I would get to do this thing a second time while a lot of my friends would not get to at all. I decided to fess up and give up on my spot for the game. I remember the grown-ups gushing over that choice and I won the “Helping Hand” award at our next Cub Scout den meeting.

If you’d like to check out Corgan’s Bozo event, it’s set for October 18th through the 20th.