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Thursday, June 30, 2022

Depeche Mode Reveal Keyboardist Andy Fletcher's Cause Of Death

Weeks after the death of Andy Fletcher, Depeche Mode have revealed that their keyboardist passed away after suffering an aortic dissection.

In a statement revealing the Depeche Mode founding member's cause of death, his bandmates Dave Gahan and Martin Gore said, "A couple weeks ago we received the result from the medical examiners, which Andy's family asked us to share with you now. Andy suffered an aortic dissection while at home on May 26. So, even though it was far, far too soon, he passed naturally and without prolonged suffering."

"We wanted to take a moment and acknowledge the outpouring of love for Andy that we've seen from all of you over the last few weeks," they said in a joint message to fans.

Gahan and Gore added that the band had organized "a celebration of Andy's life in London last week, which was a beautiful ceremony and gathering with a few tears, but filled with the great memories of who Andy was, stories of all of our times together, and some good laughs."

"Andy was celebrated in a room full of many of his friends and family, our immediate DM family, and so many people who have touched Andy's and our lives throughout the years. All being together was a very special way to remember Andy and see him off," the statement says.

During his 42 year-long stint with Depeche Mode, Fletcher handled multiple roles such as bassist, keyboardist and the manager of the band.

In 2020, he and the band were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

(Photo: Alberto Cabello)

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5 Seconds Of Summer's Ashton Irwin Hospitalized For Heat Exhaustion

5 Seconds of Summer's concert in Houston, Texas, was cut short on Sunday night after drummer Ashton Irwin suffered "extreme heat exhaustion."

Irwin was later hospitalized, and the band postponed their next show in Arkansas.

The drummer, who is recovering from heat exhaustion, explained the whole episode on Twitter the next day.

"I suffered from an intense migraine brought on by exhaustion and overheating onstage which made me [lose] my vision and gave me symptoms of stroke in the left side of my body. So the decision was to end the show there and then," Irwin tweeted Monday.

"I feel so loved and looked after by my brothers and team and all of you. This is the price a dehydrated drummer pays when he takes on Texas heat," he added. "All will be made right, ticketing wise, and rescheduling wise. I love you. Thanks for the love. I'll be back onstage ASAP!"

5 Seconds of Summer abruptly ended their performance in Houston, which was part of their Take Me Home Tour, as the concert passed just 45 minutes.

The Australian pop-rock band announced in an update on Instagram that they're postponing their June 28 show in Rogers, Arkansas, to July 26.

(Photo: Andy Deluca)

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Lizzo, Live Nation To Donate $1 Million To Planned Parenthood

Lizzo has pledged to donate $500,000 to Planned Parenthood, after the U.S. Supreme Court last Friday issued a decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

The "Truth Hurts" singer also revealed in a tweet that Live Nation will match her initial $500,000, which brings the total to $1 million toward Planned Parenthood.

"I'm pledging $500k from my upcoming tour to Planned Parenthood and Abortion Rights. Live Nation agreed to match- to make it 1 MILLION dollars," the singer tweeted.

"We are going to give proceeds to @AbortionFunds as well! Thank you!" Lizzo clarified after a fan asked her to send "money directly to abortion funds."

Meanwhile, Lizzo's upcoming "Special" tour kicks off on September 23 at Florida's FLA Live Arena and concludes on November 18 at Los Angeles' Kia Forum.

"The most important thing is action & loud voices," she added in a follow-up tweet. "@PPFA @AbortionFunds & organizations like them- will need funding to continue offering services to people who are most harmed by this ban."

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Taylor Swift Shares 'Carolina' From 'Where The Crawdads Sing' Soundtrack

Taylor Swift recently released "Carolina", the original song she penned for the Where the Crawdads Sing film soundtrack.

"Into the mist, into the clouds / No, you didn't see me here," croons Swift. "They'll make a fest, I'll make it count / Carolina knows."

Swift wrote on social media, "About a year & half ago I wrote a song about the story of a girl who always lived on the outside, looking in. Figuratively & literally. The juxtaposition of her loneliness & independence. Her curiosity & fear all tangled up. Her persisting gentleness & the world's betrayal of it."

Swift had announced "Carolina" in March, revealing that the song will feature in the forthcoming film adaptation of Delia Owens' hit 2018 novel "Where The Crawdads Sing." The film stars Daisy Edgar Jones and is produced by Reese Witherspoon.

The song was previously teased in a trailer for the movie as well. Aaron Dessnee co-produced the track with Swift.

(Photo: Beth Garrabrant)

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