Frontman of legendary rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan made it his mission to be a parent of young children while maintaining a music career and other endeavors.
The 55-year-old musician sat down for an interview with The Guardian as he opened up about many of the changes in his life in recent years, including having children, being engaged and his father dying.
He was recently engaged to model Chloe Mendel – with whom he has been dating since 2013 – as they have two children together, a son named Augustus Juppiter Corgan, almost seven years old, and daughter Philomena Clementine Corgan, four.
Legend: Frontman of legendary rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan, in an interview with The Guardian (he can be seen in June 2012), has gotten serious about being a parent of young children while maintaining a music career and other ventures.
The star explained, “When you start having kids it’s like — OK, now you don’t have to repeat all the mistakes you’ve been complaining about in your songs for 20 years. Now you have to be the guy you wanted your father to be,” he can be seen in May with his children Augustus Juppiter Corgan, almost seven years old, and four-year-old Philomena Clementine Corgan
When Billy lost his father William Dale Corgan in December 2021 at the age of 74, the rock star reflected on how he wanted to make up for his father’s shortcomings despite his buying career.
The star explained, “When you start having kids it’s like — OK, now you don’t have to repeat all the mistakes you’ve been complaining about in your songs for 20 years. Well, you gotta be the guy you wished your dad was.
“It has a way of sobering you up. I’ve never had a problem with drugs or alcohol; It was more like the classic: I guess I better fucking grow up now.
Longtime love: He was recently engaged to model Chloe Mendel, with whom he has been dating since 2013, as they were seen together in Chicago in May 2014
Billy – seen in Minneapolis in October 1992 – admitted parenting had changed him when he declared, “I don’t want my kids to grow up with a former dad.”
He admitted those changes didn’t come until he became a father at the age of 48.
Billy said: “I defer adult responsibilities outside of work for as long as possible. It’s always been my internal rationale – ‘I’m working, so I’m fine.’ But it turns out that wasn’t the case.’
Still actively performing with The Smashing Pumpkins, as well as juggling other business ventures including owning and promoting legendary pro wrestling company National Wrestling Alliance, Billy’s role as a father is most important to him.
He admitted parenting had changed him, declaring, “I don’t want my kids to grow up with an ex-dad.”
Billy recently brought his kids on stage during a concert at New York City’s legendary Madison Square Garden, and in May he brought his kids with him as he got his hands on Hollywood history.
Icon: Billy recently brought his kids on stage during a concert at New York City’s legendary Madison Square Garden
Family: In May, the frontman and his current bandmates were joined by their children to witness their handprints being immortalized at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood
The frontman and his current bandmates were joined by his children to witness their handprints being immortalized at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
The singer-songwriter looked proud as he hugged son Augustus Juppiter and daughter Philomena Clementine on the podium.
Back in black: Billy, who shares his children with partner Chloe Mendel, wore a relaxed, mostly black ensemble while posing for fans outside the iconic cinema
The band: He appeared to have brought only the current members of the group, including founding drummer Jimmy Chamberlin (L) and guitarist Jeff Schroeder (R)
Billy, who shares his children with partner Chloe Mendel, wore a relaxed and demure, mostly all-black ensemble while posing for fans outside the iconic cinema.
He wore a simple black button down shirt and matching black jeans, which he wore with a belt with a thick metal buckle.
The 1979 singer added a pop of color with bright green and blue sneakers and rocked his standard shaved-head look, though he also sported a sparse white beard.
Billy beamed from ear to ear as he wrapped his arms around his two children and knelt by the handprints.
In a nutshell: both reflected Corgan’s dark style. Chamberlin preferred a black t-shirt with faded jeans and black trainers, while Schroeder wore a black jacket over a matching t-shirt and jeans
Smashing Pumpkins have gone through several lineup changes over the years, with Corgan remaining the key songwriter.
He appeared to have brought only the current members of the group, which included founding drummer Jimmy Chamberlin and rhythm guitarist Jeff Schroeder.
Both reflected Corgan’s dark style. Chamberlin preferred a black t-shirt with faded jeans and black trainers, while Schroeder wore a black jacket over a matching t-shirt and jeans.
James Iha, the guitarist who played on the band’s early classics and later returned to the bands, appears to still be part of the band, although he did not join them for the handprint ceremony.
Formed in Chicago in 1988, The Smashing Pumpkins would eventually become one of the most definitive alternative rock bands of the 1990s with hits such as 1979, Zero, Bullet With Butterfly Wings and Tonight, Tonight.
Formed in Chicago in 1988, Trailblazers: The Smashing Pumpkins eventually went on to become one of the most definitive alternative rock bands of the 1990s already, with hits like 1979, Zero, Bullet With Butterfly Wings and Tonight, Tonight as Seen in Chicago May 1991