By all accounts, NBC Chicago’s A Very Chicago New Year broadcast was a bizarre watch, thanks in no small part to Billy Corgan. Not only did he make the contrarian choice of singing “Summertime” in the middle of winter, but he also performed a whimsical new song inspired by Windy City children’s TV staple Wizzo the Wizard.
While appearing on the broadcast live from his tea house Madame Zuzu’s, the tuxedoed Smashing Pumpkins frontman debuted “Wizzo” while accompanied by the costumed son of the late Marshall Brodien, who plays the current iteration of Bozo the Clown’s sidekick.
“It’s up to you to believe in magic,” Corgan sings on the track. Watch the performance and the full broadcast below.
Marshall Brodien appeared as an early iteration of Wizzo the Wizard in the WGN-TV children’s show Bozo’s Circus, developing the character alongside its evolution into The Bozo Show. He was also a magician and created the trick card deck TV Magic Cards. In March 2019, he died at the age of 84.
Next year, Smashing Pumpkins will join Green Day on “The Saviors Tour.” Get tickets here.
Get Smashing Pumpkins Tickets Here
@chloemendel Tune into ‘A Very Chicago New Year’s Eve’ live on @NBC Chicago tomorrow night 11pm-12:05am ! It’s going to be a fantastic evening filled with great music and glamour. We will be your hosts alongside other NBC luminaries live from @madamezuzus in Highland Park, IL ! Don’t miss out! And catch the debut of @Billy Corgan new song WIZZO! @Madame Zuzu For those who have questions about streaming: In addition to traditional cable/satellite viewing options, viewers can also watch /;A Very Chicago New Year” on the NBC Chicago News 24/7 live streaming channel, which is also available for viewing on Peacock, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Fire TV, Xumo Play, Google Play, Freevee, TCLtv+ and Local Now.