LFO’s last surviving member Brad Fischetti emotionally recalled the tragic and premature deaths of all three of his bandmates.
The 50-year-old star is one of the original members of the American pop band that was formed in 1995 alongside Rich Cronin and Brian ‘Brizz’ Gillis. After his exit from the group in 1998, Gillis was replaced by Harold ‘Devin’ Lima.
Cronin passed away at the age of 36 in 2010 after suffering a stroke following a five-year battle with acute myelogenous leukemia.
Eight years later in 2018, Lima died at age 41 after a 13-month battle with stage four adrenal cancer. And in 2023, Gillis passed away at the age of 47 with his cause of death not being publicly disclosed.
Fischetti opened up about their heartbreaking deaths in a snippet of ID’s Boy Band Confidential, per People – which is set to premiere on April 13.
Back in 2005, the music artist remembered receiving a phone call from Cronin’s brother – who told him that Cronin had been diagnosed with leukemia.
LFO’s last surviving member Brad Fischetti, 50, emotionally recalled the tragic and premature deaths of all three of his bandmates
The star is one of the original members of the American pop band that was formed in 1995 alongside Rich Cronin and Brian ‘Brizz’ Gillis. After his exit from the group in 1998, Gillis was replaced by Harold ‘Devin’ Lima; LFO seen in 1999
‘I had heard that Rich was having trouble with his legs. So I texted him like, “Hey man, I heard you were having some trouble walking. I figure there’s two ways to get you out of bed – one is a beautiful blonde, or a tour.”‘
Fischetti had asked Cronin if he wanted to go on tour once again – but never got a response.
Just weeks later, he learned from a fan that Cronin had passed away.
Fischetti had developed a close friendship with Lima at the time and the pair had also been roommates.
‘We just started making music together. So we did a tour, it’s amazing,’ the star expressed and they had plans for more shows.
‘I remember one day, I was at my office and Alan, who played acoustic guitar for us, he came in and goes, “Can you talk? Devin’s in the hospital.”‘
Upon hearing the news, Fischetti rushed to the hospital and soon discovered that one of the doctors treating Lima was an oncologist.
While becoming emotional, the singer explained that Lima had been diagnosed with a ‘very rare cancer, called primary adrenal cancer’ – which had ‘engulfed his entire kidney.’
Fischetti had asked Cronin if he wanted to go on tour once again – but never got a response. Just weeks later, he learned from a fan that Cronin had passed away; Cronin (middle) seen in 2000
While becoming emotional, the singer explained that Lima had been diagnosed with a ‘very rare cancer, called primary adrenal cancer’ – which had ‘engulfed his entire kidney’; Fischetti and Lima seen above
Fischetti admitted begging God for a miracle to happen in regards to his friend and bandmate’s health.
‘I used to yell at God, like, “Please don’t take him. Please.” He passed away and he was not only my bandmate, but my best friend.’
But five years later, Fischetti faced another tragic loss.
Back in 2023, his manager had reached out to him to give him heartbreaking news.
‘He goes, “I don’t think you’re ready for this.” Then he goes, “Brian’s dead,”‘ he recalled.
Fischetti then got candid about his reaction to the news of Gillis’ passing.
‘I cried like the way I did when Devin died… How could this happen? How is this possible, that these three guys under 50 are all dead?’
He also talked about the ‘death curse’ that the band has since been labeled with after the premature deaths of Gillis, Cronin and Lima.
‘I used to yell at God, like, “Please don’t take him. Please.” He passed away and he was not only my bandmate, but my best friend,’ Fischetti recalled; seen in 2023 in West Hollywood
‘I cried like the way I did when Devin died… How could this happen? How is this possible, that these three guys under 50 are all dead?’ Fischetti said; Gillis seen in 2006
‘If you look from the outside, people say, “Oh, LFO is cursed.” I don’t really believe in that kind of stuff. But who knows? Maybe by the time this airs, I’m gone.’
Fischetti previously admitted in 2023 that he was not afraid of the so-called ‘death curse’ plaguing the 90s pop band after Gillis’ passing.
‘Is there an LFO curse? I hope not. I hope that I get to live a long life,’ he told TMZ at the time.
‘I don’t think we’ll quite understand why this happened maybe until we reach the next life you know? And there’s so much in this world that we can’t possibly grasp.’
He added, ‘It’s very weird that so many pieces of the LFO story are dead – not just Brian and Rich and Devin.’
Fischetti revealed to TMZ that LFO’s keyboard player, choreographer, BMG/Logic Records rep Kelly Schweinsberg, and disgraced producer Lou Pearlman had also died.
He also candidly admitted to dealing with survivor’s guilt.
Fischetti previously admitted in 2023 that he was not afraid of the so-called ‘death curse’ plaguing the 90s pop band after Gillis’ passing; Fischetti seen in 1997
The pop band was formed in 1995 in the state of Massachusetts and released hits such as Summer Girls and Girl On TV; Cronin, Fischetti and Lima seen in 2001
‘I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that I try to do my best to stay strong in my faith and try my best to do God’s will and try to be a light in the darkness.’
The star continued, ‘I have no idea why this thing has happened to LFO. Maybe I’m supposed to tell a story. Maybe I’m supposed to be there to help other people…’
The pop band was formed in 1995 in the state of Massachusetts and released hits such as Summer Girls and Girl On TV.
LFO – which is an acronym for Lyte Funky Ones – has also notably sold over four million records globally.
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