Billy Corgan‘s father, William Dale Corgan, has passed away at age 74.
The Smashing Pumpkins frontman announced the news over the weekend with a series of videos, in which he described his “long, crazy, complicated relationship” with Billy Sr.
“On the bright side of it all, he inspired me to be the musician that I am,” Corgan said. “He made me be way better than I would’ve ever been without him. He was a fantastic musician, and a great teacher in his own way.”
Corgan added that while his dad “didn’t really understand what I was doing, musically,” during the early days of the Pumpkins, he later “came around and became my biggest fan and supporter.”
Following the announcement, Corgan played a holiday concert at Madame ZuZu’s, the Chicago tea shop he owns with his partner, Chloe Mendel.
“The show goes on — that’s what my father believed in,” Corgan said.
WILLIAM DALE CORGAN, 1947-2021
“He inspired me to be the musician that I am. He made me be way better than I would have ever been. He was a fantastic musician, and a great teacher in his own way.” pic.twitter.com/cEiBekR0FC
— William Patrick Corgan (@Billy) December 19, 2021
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