Billy Corgan Wasn’t Expecting His Dad’s Reaction to His Success

Billy Corgan shares how his father felt about his successful music career.
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Stream the FULL interview now on SiriusXM: sxm.app.link/HSSmashingPumpkins

[@unknownname1681]

If I bring up anything negative about my childhood my parents also say that they don’t remember that.

[@ilexevergreen5405]

Perennial denial

[@351528]

That's called gaslighting.

[@FarlesNCharge]

My parents do the same exact thing.

[@soundofsulfer]

Always

[@echase416]

It’s part of the Gaslighting they do, narcissists.

[@alejolopera]

I am a father now and I try to be the best dad every single day ... listening to this kind of stories makes me so sad.. poor Billy ...

[@gary_black]

me too. Disarm is one of the saddest songs ever. "Disarm you with a smile" A heartbreaking lyric.

[@gkniffen]

*Sniff* Poor, Billy. *Sobs into millions of dollars* ... Poor, poor, Billy...

[@kristopherryanwatson]

@@gkniffen i feel sorry for you.

[@truthseeker2222]

growing up rough can sometimes be a blessing in disguise. Trauma helps creates most of the beautiful art we see. Billy would not have been the same artist without his unique upbringing.

[@c0rxpseb0i13]

@@gkniffen yes because money equals happiness

[@Hulkamaniac418]

Not gonna lie, many times I roll my eyes at some of the stuff Billy says. This almost brought me to tears.

[@vanbrandon]

Same bro.

[@MacStiles]

He's probably making it all up.

[@princealexander6155]

This is probably the reason why Billy is the way he is. He continues the cycle.

[@lekmusic]

It did bring me to tears

[@olgakim4848]

Too many of us can totally relate and empathize.

[@bearbear4389]

No success can replace a father's love. So sad.

[@jonmacdonald5345]

Some dad's don't love or give a shit!

[@secondarycontainment4727]

But would he have been successful if showered with affection?

[@blucat4]

@@secondarycontainment4727 I suspect so. Some kids can handle or even need the tough upbringing but Billy I think was more sensitive and needed some positive reinforcement.

[@echase416]

Karen Carpenter had a similar story with her mother. 💔 Narcissistic parenting is so toxic. Amazing you survived, Billy. Deserved loads better.

[@samdeb6506]

I'm not the biggest Corgan fan, great musician but this story breaks my heart. You hear his voice crackle up in the end. Best of luck to you Billy.

[@guillermosahuquillo4499]

He’s voice sounds broken at times… fighting back tears.

[@brucelee4996]

I'm proud of you Billy.

[@raymiejed1659]

He's so lovely to share this with us. It's really relatable.

[@annarchy665]

💝

[@BadManN_TheBushes]

This just goes to show you that no matter how successful you are you're not impervious to the feelings of sadness heartbreak pain and some sort of redemption

[@constantlylearnandgrow3487]

of course not. famous people mostly have bigger psychological problems than the average person

[@mirellalastar]

Because you really needed this story to learn that everybody can get sad?

[@JL897139]

Wow this is really sad, how is he not crying. I guess he made his peace with it

[@kurtdyer]

As a diehard SP fan, it's hearing him tell these stories (even though he tells a thousand - mostly metaphorical - tales in his songs) that make you go "Oh it all makes sense now. I understand why he is SO BROKEN". No other band has brought so many tears to my eyes as SP.

[@skriabinfly]

"Time heals, but i'm forever broken"

[@yungalucard9139]

Disarm is such a powerfully emotional song that manages to be uplifting. Billy corgan is a person I can respect because he bled for the music when he was young.

[@rbeezy42]

I try to always remember this kind of stuff when I'm parenting my daughters. Kids don't forget

[@kelle0285]

Some kids do.

[@mr.brenman2132]

​@@kelle0285Who?

[@mysticteaparty]

Unfortunately this happens more often than people think. It also is true with your friends. People don't expect you to succeed. They think that success is reserved for people from inside the TV. Even if they try to be supportive, they don't really think that someone they know could actually become IT. I understand this mentality as this kind of success is extremely rare but as an artist that is trying to become IT, you need to be your own biggest fan. Don't wait for someone to believe in you. You will get disappointed.

[@user-rs7fc6cv2g]

Well said

[@alukuhito]

Yep, and with siblings too. I've noticed certain people really liking to be around me when I'm clearly not doing as well as they are in something, yet they're nowhere to be found when I'm happy with what I'm doing. They also want to knock down whatever good things I say about anything.

[@vectorhold6489]

damn.. Thats one of the most bittersweet stories I've heard in a long time. :(

[@BwInNewJersey]

Smashing Pumpkins are part of my life soundtrack. I love the music thru to my soul.

[@prairieboypools]

God bless you Billy. You were able to transcend what many couldn’t and reach heights most thought impossible. And here you are all those years later still standing tall and rockin’ and rollin’. All the best to you and the band going forward!

[@bungle3912]

Billy Corgan seems a lot happier these days, which is nice.😊

[@Simonchez]

Holy crap, so heartbreaking. What a lesson to let go of your shit and love.

[@mirellalastar]

Very real talk, many sons can relate, I'm sure.

[@johnstitt2615]

Selective memory goes both ways.

[@j_music_8779]

Made me tear up listening to that.

[@WhyTheHorseface]

Absolutely. Me too. Made me realize that things that seem insignificant to me as a parent can be crushing to my kids. I gotta be better.

[@Mebthe12luvulongtime]

@@WhyTheHorseface don't forget what you just said, that was real and please act upon it.

[@Urm0mz]

Billy and Courtney bonded over childhood traumas. Why do people think they were so close without having anything in common!

[@evapierce1090]

Billy is amazing and talented. So glad he's one of the greats that are still making music.

[@Jnevergoesout]

Crazy story, it means a lot of courage to share it.

[@LegendoftheGalacticHero]

I’m just happy that Billy is in a place where he can break this generational trauma and enjoy his family

[@bradfoster8146]

The song, "Lyric" by his short lived band Zwan is such a beautiful song. It's in my top 10 songs ever

[@redxixex679]

Billy's really pushing the fashion world to the next level. Nice.

[@barryshaw7304]

If you are going to Alaska in January he nailed it! Lol!!!

[@ChrisS-nj3ye]

LOLZ, nice one.

[@larrygarcia6356]

Wow…..really fu*ked up. And yet very much relatable.

[@michaeljacyna1973]

I got to see Billy Sr play on stage with him during their final shows when they "broke up." At the time I thought "how neat." But I really wish I knew some of these stories surrounding them at the time. It would've cast that moment in a new light.

[@Joramee]

That's a cool story. I bet many parents never got the chance to say that to their kids before they passed away.

[@Jedithtv]

What a crushing story to hear

[@reggaeluv2000]

Aww, I like hearing that his dad was reading MCIS lyrics and listening to the album. Better late than never at all regarding seeing the greatness within his son.

[@blucat4]

Silent appreciation doesn't do anybody any good.

[@reggaeluv2000]

@@blucat4 everyone is guilty of doing such though. Doesn't mean one needs to appreciate/praise constantly

[@trevorbacque8175]

Listening to this , pushes me to be there for the kids.

[@bornwild3955]

Thanks for sharing Bill

[@jmcastaman]

We can only try not to make the same mistakes with our kids and to heal the young version of ourselves.

[@Qliphirot]

Yep, breaking the cycle of abuse.

[@saywhat9158]

The question then becomes was it worth it if that rejection had a large effect of driving his accomplishments and success? You rarely get greatness from a happy and comfortable life.

[@larrygarcia6356]

Damn good question. Everything happens for a reason.

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

Oh I believe so. What drives a person to act upon a dream and the need to express is much why an oyster makes a pearl.

[@Christopher-md7tf]

Stop romanticizing suffering and abuse. Depression is not a creative or productive state of mind.

[@ph-vf5hx]

said no nepo-baby ever

[@ghostwalk2446]

@@Christopher-md7tf It was a simple question followed by a simple observation, no mention of "suffering", "abuse", "depression", and nothing was "romanticized" at all, chill

[@dorsia6938]

It reminds me of the scene in inception where he pulls out his kid drawning from the dads safe.

[@jeremywanner4526]

Unfortunately pain and suffering creates amazing music.

[@skriabinfly]

A million men have a similar story but without platinum records to go with it.

[@kristopherryanwatson]

true. but what's your point ?

[@princealexander6155]

@@kristopherryanwatson I think the point is those million men didn't resort to douchebaggery as a life philosophy as a result. They moved on with their lives and tried to become better people

[@greghandle]

Did it play a part in the writing is the question and I bet it did cause your music helped and inspired a lot of people during hard times

[@magicwindow6682]

I am always interested on imaging how the parents of celebrities think about their kids success and this is really fascinating

[@antiratrace]

Must be really cold in the studio, he's wearing more winter gear than I wear snowboarding

[@FrankValchiria]

wow breaks my hearth to hear this, yet i'm grateful he channeled this into great unforgettable art, you have helped thousands if not millions of kids feel seen

[@kelle0285]

I broke my hearth. Heck, I busted down the whole chimney.

[@dedalus6]

Amazing human.

[@mac_pe]

Remember people, love your children. Show them your love and attention.

[@JMcLeodKC711]

I can relate a bit. Realized a little late what big drinkers both my parents were.

[@jsmithsemper4848]

SMASHING PUMPKINS. AMEN. Just brilliant & beautiful & timeless.

[@missmew5240]

😢 I ❤Billy Corgan

[@michaelsasso2215]

The story of my life

[@eulogy4anange1]

Billy is awesome I love him

[@donthompson567]

I can so relate to this story

[@E.C.2]

A lot of Gen X and younger can relate,it's 1 of many reasons for our looming demographic winter.

[@manhalen7046]

@@E.C.2 Just stop.

[@TOCC50]

I bet he cried a lot, most people shouldn’t be parents

[@dawgpost90]

Parents are human beings and are flawed.

[@DannyJuke]

super relatable

[@larrydanadavid2435]

Billy Corgan should realize more than anyone that people aren’t perfect.

[@Rocket-rs1eb]

I think that’s his point

[@seekthetruth824]

His father's behavior was more than just not perfect. He was abusive

[@yourmom9951]

@@seekthetruth824 Stop being such a baby. It’s called tough love.

[@tvman7916]

Crushing

[@444Dragoncheese]

Its sad but alot of hardships make people better and stronger,

[@throwawayavclubber7269]

Aw, damn. Sorry, Billy. That hurts.

[@ashleyparks1738]

Parents are so intelligent

[@yourmom9951]

Thanks, Ashley. ❤️

[@taylorcuthrell4123]

Saw the Pumpkins in 2007 in Asheville. Best. Show. Ever.

[@AV57]

It’s so hard to know in the moment if you should applaud your kids’ achievements or try to make sure they stay humble so they don’t squander the opportunity.

[@hirsch4155]

Both

[@samcad-ho3ze]

I identify with this. Wish I could hug you Billy.

[@yukoncorneliusjr8273]

So that’s where he gets his pettiness from.

[@shnoogums1]

Lol

[@carlosconesa]

Damn, that was deep.

[@yourmom9951]

That’s what she said

[@-0rbital-]

Howard should be able to relate to that.

[@sheydoll]

Wow wow wow 😢😢

[@troystaunton254]

Turns out I have the greatest parents ever.

[@yourmom9951]

Thanks, Troy.

[@KarlRock]

Damn

[@thaddeuswallenberg4006]

thats why billy is billy

[@truebelieverthasit6265]

Omg *holds back tears.. My mom denies acknowledging wtf A Budweiser model is..

[@jacobfield4848]

There is alot of jealousy within families.

[@cptpepper7731]

What's the temperature in Stern's studio? Turn on the heater.

[@chriscraft77022]

that is crazy

[@ronnieo.6647]

Wow

[@treedeblue]

Billy was on WWE I can’t get over that.

[@eternallife9786]

That's so sad😢

[@Deeroc25]

The depth of pain and alienation in his songs are not the product of a happy childhood.

[@danielmoksmann5654]

I mean, if Bill Burr ever wants to portray someone in a biopic...

[@zerosoma33]

Bro got his cheekbones back

[@alobo9937]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@joshnic6639]

great clips, but how do we watch the whole thing?

[@deettekearns9092]

DAAAMMMNN.

[@tatialo37]

Pain begets success.

[@seadawg93]

😢 💔

[@sheabobiney8114]

I love Billy. He's one of the more intelligent celebrities. I can tell he's a deep thinker about shit.

[@0BRAINS0]

We are all human.😢

[@triple6758]

He's a Boomer. You are 'competition' to him, Billy.

[@ShinyFlakesShinyFlakes]

What exactly do you mean

[@alexmack956]

So it’s a boomer thing

[@terryfonz4603]

Hurt people hurt people!

[@thomasmeyer7793]

Damn bill burr went indie

[@kristopherryanwatson]

wow. really original.

[@grawakendream8980]

wow

[@jackiep5009]

That album stands the test of time.

[@alukuhito]

He talked about a couple of albums here.

[@gordonhall9871]

this happens a lot

[@blacksunshine7485]

Need to put the heating on in the studio by the looks of it

[@why-fi926]

❤

[@MonsieurDrobot]

Whew….

[@crazidirtbiker]

Did billy ever finish that book he was gonna write? I wanna hear the shapeshifter story he touched on briefly on your show before. He supposedly seen someone change into something else while in a room with them. He won’t talk about it but said it would be in the book.

[@hugolafhugolaf]

Is it that cold in the studio?

[@roberttucker5571]

Sad story

[@guinnessharvey4476]

Must have been a cold studio

[@Studentofgosset]

I wasn't expecting that hat