Heartbreak for 90s boy band as sole survivor pays moving tribute
LFO once topped the charts with carefree summer anthems, but behind the music lies a story of unimaginable loss.
They may not have reached the heights of *NSYNC or Backstreet Boys, but in the late '90s, LFO made their mark with the infectiously catchy hit Summer Girls .
The song, packed with pop culture references and teen nostalgia, became an anthem of its era. Its music video, filmed at Coney Island's beach and boardwalk in 1999, captured the carefree vibe of youth. But behind the scenes, no one could have foreseen the heartbreak that would eventually shadow the band's legacy.
Of the original members, only one remains. Brad Fischetti, now 49, continues to perform in memory of his fallen bandmates through a tribute project called The LFO Story . Recently, he moved audiences in Celebration, Florida, with a powerful performance honoring the band's legacy, reports the Mirror.
LFO — short for Lyte Funkie Ones — was formed in 1995 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, when Brad and Rich Cronin teamed up with Brian "Brizz" Gillis. The group struggled to find its footing until a turning point in 1999, when Brizz left and Devin Lima joined. That year, they soared to fame with Summer Girls , which hit No. 1 in the U.S. and climbed to No. 16 in the UK charts.
The song became iconic for its quirky lyrics referencing everything from Cherry Coke and Abercrombie & Fitch to Macaulay Culkin and New Kids on the Block. Their popularity peaked in 2000 when LFO won a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Group, performed more than 230 shows, opened for Britney Spears, and even launched a line of dolls in 2001.
But like many pop acts of the era, their second album failed to capture the same magic, and they disbanded in 2002.
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Rich Cronin later faced a fierce battle with leukemia. After undergoing treatment, he expressed gratitude for his time in the spotlight, saying, 'I am truly thankful for the success I had. And if it happens again, that'd be really nice.' He added with a touch of humor, 'I still only like girls in Abercrombie and Fitch.'
In 2009, LFO briefly reunited. Though their bond had been tested in the past, Rich, Brad, and Devin found renewed closeness. 'He was so happy,' Brad recalled in 2010. 'Devin and I both realized how much we loved him.' Tragically, Rich's health declined once more, and he passed away in September 2010 at the age of 36.
In 2017, Brad and Devin released a new LFO song—their first in 15 years—in Rich's memory. But just months later, more devastating news came. Devin was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. Despite undergoing surgery to remove a massive tumor and one of his kidneys, he died a year later in 2018 at the age of 41, leaving behind a partner and six children.
The tragedies didn't end there. In March 2023, original member Brizz passed away at 48. His family chose not to disclose the cause of death.
Now, Brad Fischetti stands alone as the last living member of LFO. But he remains determined to keep their story alive. After a recent LFO Story show, he shared on Instagram: "We honored the boys in a big way. The LFO Story show last week was beautiful and epic. Thank you for the love and support. The biggest thanks to Rich and Devin for leaving a beautiful legacy behind. We will nurture it and honor you for as long as the people will allow us to."
Fans were quick to express their emotions online. One wrote, 'Devin and Rich are there in spirit and are proud of you @thereallfo.' Another commented, 'Those guys are extremely missed.'
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