Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan: ‘I don’t want my kids growing up with a has-been father’

Frontman of the iconic rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan, got real about being a parent to young kids while still maintaining a music career and other ventures.

The 55-year-old musician sat down for an interview with The Guardian as he opened up about many changes in his life in recent years including having children, being engaged, and his father passing away. 

He was recently engaged to model Chloe Mendel – who he has been dating since 2013 – as they share two children together a son named Augustus Juppiter Corgan, nearly seven-years-old, and four-year-old daughter Philomena Clementine Corgan.

The star explained:’ When you start having kids, it’s like – OK, now you gotta not repeat all the mistakes that you’ve been complaining about in your songs for 20 years. Now, you got to be that guy that you wished your father was,’ he is seen with his kids Augustus Juppiter Corgan, nearly seven-years-old, and four-year-old Philomena Clementine Corgan in May

As Billy lost his father William Dale Corgan at age 74 in December 2021, the rockstar reflected on how he wanted to make up for his dad’s shortcomings despite his buy career.

The star explained:’ When you start having kids, it’s like – OK, now you gotta not repeat all the mistakes that you’ve been complaining about in your songs for 20 years. Now, you got to be that guy that you wished your father was.

‘It has a way of sobering you up. I’ve never had any drug or alcohol issues; it was more like the classic: I guess I better grow the fuck up now.’ 

Longtime love: He was recently engaged to model Chloe Mendel  who he has been dating since 2013, as they are seen together in Chicago back in May 2014

Billy – seen in Minneapolis in October 1992 –  admitted that being a parent had changed him as he explained: ‘I don’t want my kids growing up with a has-been father’

He admitted that these changes did no come until he became a father at age 48.

Billy Said:  ‘I put off adult responsibility about as long as possible, outside of work. It was always my inner rationalization – “I’m working, and so everything’s fine.” But that turned out not to be the case.’

As Billy is still actively performing with The Smashing Pumpkins and also juggling other business ventures including being the the owner and promoter of the legendary pro-wrestling company, National Wrestling Alliance, his role as a father is the most important to him.

He admitted that being a parent had changed him as he explained: ‘I don’t want my kids growing up with a has-been father.’

Billy recently brought his kids on stage during a concert at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City and back in May he brought his children when he placed his hands in Hollywood history.

Icon: Billy recently brought his kids on stage during a concert at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City 

Family: Back in May, the frontman and his current slate of bandmates were joined by his children to witness them getting their handprints immortalized in cemented at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood

The frontman  and his current slate of bandmates were joined by his children to witness them getting their handprints immortalized in cemented at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

The singer–songwriter looked proud as he embraced son Augustus Juppiter and daughter Philomena Clementine on the dais.

Back in black: Billy, who shares his children with his partner Chloe Mendel, was dressed in a relaxed mostly black ensemble while posing for fans in front of the iconic movie theater

The band: He appeared to have only brought along the current members of the group, which included founding drummer Jimmy Chamberlin (L) and guitarist Jeff Schroeder (R)

Billy, who shares his children with his partner Chloe Mendel, was dressed in a relaxed and reserved mostly black ensemble while posing for fans in front of the iconic movie theater.

He had on a simple black button-up shirt and matching black jeans, which he wore with a belt featuring a thick metallic buckle.

The 1979 singer added a splash of color with vibrant green and blue sneakers, and he rocked his standard shaved head look, though he sported a sparse white beard as well.

Billy beamed ear-to-ear as he wrapped his arms around his two children while kneeling by the handprints.

On point: Both mirrored Corgan’s dark style. Chamberlin favored a black T-shirt with faded jeans and black sneakers, while Schroeder wore a black jacket over a matching T-shirt and jeans

Smashing Pumpkins have gone through several lineup changes throughout the years, with Corgan remaining the primary songwriters.

He appeared to have only brought along the current members of the group, which included founding drummer Jimmy Chamberlin and rhythm guitarist Jeff Schroeder.

Both mirrored Corgan’s dark style. Chamberlin favored a black T-shirt with faded jeans and black sneakers, 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 fold, appears to still be part of the band, though he didn’t join them for the handprint ceremony. 

The Smashing Pumpkins were formed in Chicago back in 1988 and ultimately became one of the most definitive alternative rock bands of the 1990s with hits including 1979, Zero, Bullet With Butterfly Wings, and Tonight, Tonight. 

Trailblazers: The Smashing Pumpkins were formed in Chicago back in 1988 and ultimately became one of the most definitive alternative rock bands of the 1990s with hits including 1979, Zero, Bullet With Butterfly Wings, and Tonight, Tonight, as teh band are seen in Chicago back in May 1991