Who was Billy Corgan's dad William Dale Corgan? What we know as rocker again alludes to Bill Burr family connection

The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan has yet again alluded to possible family ties with comedian Bill Burr.

The speculation that has sparked intrigue among fans of both music and comedy, stems from Corgan's late father, William Dale Corgan, the talented blues and rock guitarist, whose life was an amalgamation of musical accolades and personal complexities.

Who was William Dale Corgan?

The Chicago-based blues and rock guitarist, William Dale Corgan, also known as Willliam Corgan Sr., was well known in the local music scene for his passion for music. He left an impact on his son, Billy Corgan, who would go on to become one of the greatest rock musicians of the 1990s. Although their relationship was not perfect, Billy doesn't forget to credit his father as an important influence on his career.

In an interview with People, Billy Corgan said:

"My earliest memories are of my father playing music, listening to music in the house, and so all I've ever known is music and that started with my father. He truly loved music and inspired me to not only be a musician of accomplishment but also to love all types of music. He truly loved gospel and R&B and soul."

Corgan Sr. was not just known as a great musician, but was also a larger-than-life character with a history of struggles. He had a reputation for being a difficult figure in Billy's life. However, later in life, their relationship improved considerably, with William becoming on of his son's biggest supporters.

A People report from December 21, 2021 revealed that Billy Corgan shared the news of his Father's demise on social media:

Posting a set of videos on Twitter Saturday, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman shared that his father William Dale Corgan died of a "massive heart attack" on Dec. 17 after suffering from health issues over the past 20 years.

Billy Corgan said about his father:

“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. Probably the greatest blessing of my life on that note is that in the beginning, he really didn’t understand what I was doing musically. And then he came around and he became my biggest fan and supporter and would oftentimes compliment me on my music, my lyrics, my shows. And so I lived long enough and he lived long enough for us to have that and share that.”

The Bill Burr Connection

Possible rumors of a potential connection between Billy Corgan and comedian Bill Burr surfaced after Corgan shared that his stepmother once suggested that his father may have had another son named Bill, who was born around the same time as him. This speculation was bolstered by their physical resemblance and a shared Irish- American heritage.

During a conversation on Howie Mandel's podcast, Corgan recounted this story, which led to a mix of curiosity and skepticism. The discussion gained momentum when Mandel orchestrated a surprise meeting between Billy Corgan and Bill Burr on the same podcast, which caught Burr off-guard.

Bill Burr seemed visibly frustrated, and told Corgan:

"Did you ever think the fact that I never told that story, that maybe you shouldn't?"

Corgan further said:

“A really good friend of mine said to me, looking around, ‘Okay, now tell me the truth.’ And I said, ‘I don’t think so. I don’t think we’re related.’ And then my friend said, ‘Well, I think you are,’” he recalls. “And I said, ‘Well, I guess it’s possible because he really does look like my father in a way that’s almost shocking to me.’ So then my friend goes, ‘Well then get a DNA test.’”

The reality remains unclear

While no DNA tests have been taken to confirm or debunk the claims, the story has gained a lot of traction.

Regardless of the truth, the legacy of William Dale Corgan continues to shape Billy Corgan, adding another chapter to the Smashing Pumpkins forntman's already amazing story.

What do you think the truth is? Are Bill Burr and Corgan related? Share your comments below.