Skip to content
The Joe Rogan ExperienceThe Joe Rogan Experience

Joe Rogan Experience #2283 - Billy Corgan

Billy Corgan is the lead singer of The Smashing Pumpkins and host of "The Magnificent Others" podcast. The Smashing Pumpkins' latest album, "Aghori Mhori Me," is available now. http://www.smashingpumpkins.com This video is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit http://BetterHelp.com/JRE Don’t miss out on all the action - Download the DraftKings app today! Sign-up using http://dkng.co/rogan or with my promo code ROGAN. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), or visit http://www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD).21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS).1 per new customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: http://sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 3/16/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

Billy CorganguestJoe Roganhost
Mar 4, 20252h 47mWatch on YouTube ↗

EVERY SPOKEN WORD

  1. 0:0015:00

    (drumming) Joe Rogan podcast,…

    1. NA

      (drumming) Joe Rogan podcast, check it out.

    2. BC

      The Joe Rogan Experience.

    3. JR

      Train by day, Joe Rogan podcast by night, all day. (instrumental music) All right, we're ... What's happening, man? Good to see you.

    4. BC

      Thank you for having me back.

    5. JR

      My pleasure. Um, how many times a day do you get bombarded by the whole Bill Burr thing?

    6. BC

      When it gets into the family-

    7. JR

      (laughs)

    8. BC

      ... and people I haven't talked to for 20 years.

    9. JR

      Ugh, then do you have to break character and tell the truth?

    10. BC

      No. You know, the thing is, i- i- this is what's crazy, okay? Uh, you want the whole setup story?

    11. JR

      Sure, sure, sure.

    12. BC

      I could be quick about it. Uh, so, uh, where I tape my podcast is in one of Howie Mandel's buildings, and he has another building in this area. So, uh, I was working on something, and, and I was supposed to go on Howie's show that day. And they said, "Howie will meet you out in the street or something, for whatever reason." So I go out in the street, and the first thing Howie says to me when he sees me, he goes, "Here comes Bill Burr." And I go, "You too?" Like, "Do you know this story?" And he said, "No, I don't know about it." And I said, "You know what? Heck with it, I'm just gonna s- tell it on your show, so don't ask me any more." And I went on the show, and I told the story about my, how 10 years ago, my stepmother came to me and said, "Do you know who Bill Burr is?" I'd never heard of Bill, didn't know who he was, 'cause I don't really consume much, you know, popular culture. I had no idea he was a famous comedian. He could've been the lawnmower guy. Looked up Bill, first thing I saw was like, oh my God, he looks just like Daddy. When I was 18 years old, at an IHOP my, on my 18th birthday, my father told me, "You have a half-brother that I sired at the same time as you whose name is Bill." So suddenly, these facts come together of my mother telling me these stories. I talked to my dad subsequently about it, and he was very cagey about it. And when I said, "Why won't you tell me where this person is or who this person is?" He said, um, "I'm trying to protect you." So when my stepmother had told me, it kinda made sense, like, well, if, if my half-brother is this super famous comedian, my dad, in a way, wouldn't want me to know, because he wouldn't want me to feel like I was number two-

    13. JR

      (laughs)

    14. BC

      ... because Bill's so famous. I know it sounds crazy, right?

    15. JR

      You think that's why he was trying to protect you?

    16. BC

      Well, I don't know. So, so fast forward to Howie saying something on the street. So I was like, "You know what? I'm just gonna say something." And I swear to God, hand on my heart, last time I was with you in California, I almost pulled you aside after we were on, and I was gonna tell you the story, 'cause I knew you knew Bill, and I was gonna back channel, see if there was anything to the story from Bill's side.

    17. JR

      Wow!

    18. BC

      So imagine seven, I think six or seven years since we talked on your show.

    19. JR

      Yeah, I don't even know-

    20. BC

      2018, 2018 somebody said to me today, but... So anyway, started talking already, but the point is, is-

    21. JR

      Yeah.

    22. BC

      ... so here I am, fast forward, I'm just sick of seeing memes of my face with Bills and uh, so I just decide on the spur of the moment, you know? So Howie of course loves it, but I said on, on Howie's show that first time, "I don't think Bill's my half-brother. I don't think, I don't think there's anything there other than a, like an uncanny resemblance." Fast forward, the thing comes out, it gets a little bit of social media, and then it goes away. And I think, "Good." And Bill didn't say anything, so I figured Bill was kind of like, whatever, it was a mild amusement. You know, he could've made a joke out of the whole thing, and he didn't. So then Howie calls me, and I'm in LA working recently, and Howie's like, "Will you come on the show? Bill's gonna be on." And I said, "Is Bill cool with it?" "Oh, yeah. No problem." So then I go there, and it's like, it turns into this thing that you see happening on camera. It's like, it's weirdness times... it's like a, like a sk- like a skit, but it's real. And, and Bill's on me, then Bill's on Howie, and it gets just go... Okay, so I just told you basically everything I know, okay? I have people I've known for 20, 30 years coming up to me, going, "What do you think?" And I say, "I don't, I don't, I don't think we're related. I mean, yeah, there's a resemblance, but I don't think we're related." "Well, did you get a DNA test?" And I'm like, "No, I don't... There's nothing to get a DNA test for." "Well, I think he's your brother." So people that know me, and I'm telling them I don't think he's my brother, now they want a DNA test to prove it.

    23. JR

      (laughs)

    24. BC

      That's how much it- it's taken on a life of its own.

    25. JR

      Do you think it's just because they want a DNA test 'cause it's fun if he's your brother?

    26. BC

      No, no, they're convinced-

    27. JR

      For real, for real?

    28. BC

      Yes.

    29. JR

      Really?

    30. BC

      For real, I swear to God. I mean, pe- people I'm close to, people that were at my wedding, I'm like, they're like, "No, you need a DNA test."

  2. 15:0030:00

    Right, right, right. …

    1. BC

      like a household name like he is now.

    2. JR

      Right, right, right.

    3. BC

      And so it's... So there w- there was this one night where I was out... I did a benefit for Roger Waters and, uh, and military vets. It was amazing, in New York. It was all these guys who were like single, double and triple amputees playing Pink Floyd music. And so I did this concert with them, with, um, Roger. So afterwards, somebody came and said, "Oh, Chappelle's in this hotel," you know? And I hadn't seen him for a few years and I said, "Oh, I, I know him." And, and you could see people think like, "You don't know him."

    4. JR

      (laughs)

    5. BC

      You know what I mean? So when he came by, I was like, "Oh," you know? It was like that moment, like, "See, motherfuckers? I do know him."

    6. JR

      (laughs)

    7. BC

      So, what a great guy though. Such a, what a-

    8. JR

      He's a genuine person, yeah.

    9. BC

      What a... Yeah.

    10. JR

      He's another sweetheart. Just a sweet, sweet guy. Easy to hang out with, very fun.

    11. BC

      Oh, yeah. I mean, the guy, like guys with that kind of mind is just, it's just, it blows my mind 'cause they just... I mean, you could, I, I just, I don't know. I could sit and listen to for hours.

    12. JR

      He's also, he's kind of a legend for what he did. You know, he left-

    13. BC

      Oh, walked away?

    14. JR

      ... left Comedy Central in the height of Chappelle's Show, passed up on a $50 million deal, went to Africa, hung out there, and then came back and didn't do standup for 10 years. Didn't do standup.

    15. BC

      I didn't know that... I didn't know that he didn't do standup for 10 years part.

    16. JR

      He would do standup occasionally for free.

    17. BC

      Okay.

    18. JR

      So what he would do is he'd bring like a speaker to the park and like set up a mic in the park in Seattle and just start doing standup and everybody would be like, "Holy shit, is Dave Chappelle-"

    19. BC

      Was he making any money or was he just-

    20. JR

      Nope. Nope. Just living off of his Chappelle's Show money.

    21. BC

      Wow.

    22. JR

      He had a, a ton of money.

    23. BC

      I didn't know that part.

    24. JR

      He made millions of dollars from the show, passed up on 50 but probably made-

    25. BC

      I remember that.

    26. JR

      And, you know, but it's-

    27. BC

      Remember it became a big conspiracy thing?

    28. JR

      Yes.

    29. BC

      Yeah.

    30. JR

      It became a conspiracy why he left.

  3. 30:0045:00

    I only have- …

    1. JR

    2. BC

      I only have-

    3. JR

      UFC 313 is back in Vegas. It won't be paradise for one of the light heavyweights. In the main event, don't miss out on any of the action at DraftKings Sportsbook, the official sports betting partner of the UFC. Alex Pereira defends his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev. But that's just the cherry on top of an amazing night of fights. It's super easy for first-timers to get started. Try betting on something simple, like picking a fighter to win. Just go to DraftKings Sportsbook app, select your fighter, and place your first bet. It's that simple. And if you're new to DraftKings, listen up. New customers, bet $5 to get $150 in bonus bets instantly. Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app now and use the code ROGAN. That's code ROGAN for new customers to get $150 in bonus bets when you bet just five bucks. Only on DraftKings, the crown is yours.

    4. NA

      Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. In New York, call 877-8-HOPEN-Y or text HOPEN-Y 467369. In Connecticut, help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Kansas, 21 and over. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. New customers only. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see dkng.co/audio.

    5. BC

      I only have one Michael Buffer story, if you wanna hear it. (laughs)

    6. JR

      Sure.

    7. BC

      So I went to see, uh, uh, Holyfield-Lennox Lewis at Madison Square Garden.

    8. JR

      Oh, wow.

    9. BC

      And I was hanging out with all the, all the cool people at the time. So I'm in the fourth row, and it was infamously a draw. It was almost all English tourists that had come in for the fight. They were booing the national anthem. I mean, it was a pretty riotous-

    10. JR

      Whoa.

    11. BC

      ... at- atmosphere. And, uh, you know, I'm, I'm, I'm, I don't know anything about fights, but it was a pretty boring fight, and it, I, I, it ... Lewis seemed to be a little bit more agile 'cause of youth and all that. Anyway, so right when I, uh, you know, they're, they're in ... Whatever they're doing, HBO, if they're over there in the corner, they're doing their bit. You know what I mean? They're talking before they go to the scorecards. And a guy leans forward, the, the ref, to tell someone in the second row, might have been Don King, and I hear 'em go, "It's a draw." Right? So I, I knew it was a draw like 60 seconds before they announced it.

    12. JR

      Whoa.

    13. BC

      And I was with a lot of well-known people, and I said, "Run." And they're like, "What do you mean?" I said, "We gotta run." Like, and I started grabbing people and we ran out of Madison Square Garden. And we're almost totally out the building, you know, kind of where you get to the concourse part? And you hear the decision and it's like brr, and people start, like here comes the riot vibe.

    14. JR

      Really?

    15. BC

      So somehow we ended up, because it got so-

    16. JR

      Was it because the decision was bad?

    17. BC

      Well, the English people didn't like that it was a draw.

    18. JR

      Oh.

    19. BC

      'Cause Holyfield was on the older side and ...

    20. JR

      Right.

    21. BC

      I don't know, it's not a well-renowned fight, it just-

    22. JR

      I g- I can't remember it.

    23. BC

      It was just a draw. It was a stone-cold boring fight, but because it was a draw and all these English people were mad and Don King was involved, so it was like all that typical brouhaha that was going on in boxing at the time.

    24. JR

      Right.

    25. BC

      Anyway, so because of the, suddenly the riotous or po- potentially riotous s- situation, the police started like making people go different ways, like funneling traffic or something. And it was almost like they got like code red or something, 'cause it like suddenly got really weird. So then we couldn't get out of the building. So somebody was like, somebody recognized somebody in our party said, "F- c- follow me." And so then next thing we know, you know, we get, we end up like in the VIP backstage part where it's safe.

    26. JR

      (sighs)

    27. BC

      And, and there's, and there's, you know, uh, Michael Buffer on a chair. And he wasn't talking to me, but he's talking to somebody, and I heard him just go, "That's bullshit."

    28. JR

      (laughs)

    29. BC

      Like in that voice, that's all I remember. "That's bullshit."

    30. JR

      That's f- ... So was he talking about the decision?

  4. 45:001:00:00

    Wow. …

    1. BC

      it and I didn't?"

    2. NA

      Wow.

    3. BC

      "He must've got lucky. He must've done something."

    4. NA

      Wow.

    5. BC

      "'Cause if it didn't work for me, how could it work for him?" So that was a weird, a weird thing. But he was talented. I mean, he really was talented.

    6. NA

      That's great. Did he... Did you get a l- did you feel resentment? Did you get along with him after that? Or was it weird?

    7. BC

      It was a, uh... My father had a lot of issues with drugs, so it was always kind of like it can be with addicts. It was like-

    8. NA

      Mm.

    9. BC

      ... depending on the day.

    10. NA

      Mm.

    11. BC

      One day, he would tell me I was the greatest thing that ever happened to him, and I was the number one son and da da da, and two weeks later, he's telling me he wished I'd never been born and I should've been aborted.

    12. NA

      Ah.

    13. BC

      So it was a weird... It was weird. It was a weird thing. So that's why, that's why that story's funny to me, because he didn't mind that I told you about finding a sawed-off shotgun. He minded that I implied it was dangerous when he made sure that it wasn't loaded, so it was okay. (laughs)

    14. NA

      (laughs)

    15. BC

      That's the way his brain worked.

    16. NA

      Do you believe him that it wasn't loaded?

    17. BC

      Yeah, yeah.

    18. NA

      Yeah.

    19. BC

      Yeah. He was, um... He should've been an arch criminal or something, but he didn't have the nerve.

    20. NA

      So he just became a guitarist.

    21. BC

      No, he was, he was a drug dealer and, uh, he, he, he used to run drug- drugs and guns for the mob. I mean-

    22. NA

      Really?

    23. BC

      Oh, he, he would do stuff like... Uh, Melrose Park is kind of an infamous city just outside the S- Chicago city limits, where a lot of the mob wiseguys lived. And he was friends with the kid of a wiseguy, and the kid would dabble because he was protected because his father was a made man. So we go over to that guy's house for hours and just hear these crazy stories about the mob, and my dad would pick up something in a satchel and deliver it, you know? Like, it was all... I- that's still- that's the- I was eight years old going through all this shit.

    24. NA

      Wow.

    25. BC

      Yeah.

    26. NA

      What a crazy environment.

    27. BC

      Yeah.

    28. NA

      So you're eight years old. He's running drugs and guns.

    29. BC

      Oh, yeah.

    30. NA

      Wow.

  5. 1:00:001:06:27

    (laughs) They pull you…

    1. BC

      admit to secretly being Juggalos. Have you ever had that experience?

    2. JR

      (laughs) They pull you aside? Okay. That's what I'm telling myself.

    3. BC

      Uh, a friend of mine, former, former porn star, Sasha Grey, like, sent me a picture of her at, like, 17 in j- in the Juggalo makeup.

    4. JR

      Oh, wow. 17.

    5. BC

      And you're like, "This is so out there."

    6. JR

      Juggalo makeup.

    7. BC

      Yeah.

    8. JR

      Do they dress... Do they do, like, Insane Clown Posse?

    9. BC

      'Cause they do, it's, it's a very specific... They do, they do very specific makeup, the Juggalos.

    10. JR

      Oh, for... Are the Juggalos... Do they have different makeup than the Insane Clown Posse, or is it the same kind of makeup?

    11. BC

      It seems to me there's this, there's this kind of a particular way they do the Juggalo makeup.

    12. JR

      Jamie, can you please google "Juggalo makeup"?

    13. NA

      Yeah, I think it's a black and white. I don't know if there's rules, but it's, uh, yeah, clown makeup. Juggalos-

    14. JR

      What does it look like?

    15. NA

      Like the guy right there.

    16. BC

      Yes.

    17. NA

      This guy particularly.

    18. BC

      But that's Violent J on the top there.

    19. JR

      Oh.

    20. NA

      Yeah, th- the, he's the actual, he's Violent J.

    21. BC

      That's Violent J there. But, like, they'll do their makeup kinda like how Jay is, is.

    22. JR

      Okay. So some of the people in the audience choose to g- to make their face up. I don't see anybody there with face makeup, though, in that picture.

    23. NA

      It's hot. It's the summer. They're-

    24. JR

      Oh, yeah. There you go.

    25. BC

      (laughs)

    26. JR

      Sweating.

    27. NA

      Gettin' it washed off.

    28. JR

      Sweating off your makeup.

    29. BC

      See, see, like, the girl there?

    30. JR

      ... that split tongue, that dude in the middle, that's a fucking commitment. That's a commitment for, to never having a real job up top.

Episode duration: 2:47:58

Install uListen for AI-powered chat & search across the full episode — Get Full Transcript

Transcript of episode OFt_pIzTrHU

Get more out of YouTube videos.

High quality summaries for YouTube videos. Accurate transcripts to search & find moments. Powered by ChatGPT & Claude AI.

Add to Chrome