Latest news with #Don'tDreamIt'sOver
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
'Don't be fooled': Crowded House dispel fake AI news that frontman Neil Finn suffers from erectile dysfunction
Crowded House have shot down a false AI-generated report claiming frontman Neil Finn suffers from erectile dysfunction. In the bizarre clip, TVNZ journalist Simon Dallow reports on the fake news that the Don't Dream It's Over hitmaker has recently had a child after struggling with impotence. An AI version of Finn says in the broadcast: 'I never thought I'd be able to become a father again. Honestly, I believe that chapter of my life was closed, not because I didn't want it, but because I simply couldn't. 'For years, I lived with a problem most men are too ashamed to talk about. My erections became weaker and weaker until they stopped altogether. No desire, no confidence, no control. I was too embarrassed to even talk to my wife about it." Māori doctor Lance O'Sullivan also makes an appearance in AI form to offer her expert advice on the issue. The New Zealand group re-posted the clip and warned fans "don't be fooled". A statement on their Facebook page read: 'We're not sure where this came from, but please don't be fooled. 'Neil's never had trouble with erections.' Many musicians and celebrities have raised their concerns about AI. Recently, Nick Cave admitted his view of artificial intelligence as an artistic tool has begun to shift. The 66-year-old singer-songwriter and frontman of The Bad Seeds has long been a vocal critic of the technologygy. He previously described AI as 'unbelievably disturbing' and warned of a 'humiliating effect' on the creative industries. But he confessed his view changed after watching a new AI-powered video made to mark the 40th anniversary of his song Tupelo. Writing on The Red Hand Files platform, he said: 'As I watched Andrew's surreal little film, I felt my view of AI as an artistic device soften. 'To some extent, my mind was changed.' The video he was referring to was created by 56-year-old filmmaker Andrew Dominik, and used AI to animate still archival images. Tupelo is a 1985 single he has performed 'at nearly every Bad Seeds concert since it was first written'. The track depicts the mythic birth of Elvis Presley during a storm in Tupelo, Mississippi. Nick was initially sceptical when he learned AI had been used to create the video. Filmmaker Andrew has previously collaborated with Nick on the 2016 documentary One More Time With Feeling and the 2022 film This Much I Know to Be True. Nick added in his online post he found the video 'an extraordinarily profound interpretation of the song – a soulful, moving, and entirely original retelling of Tupelo, rich in mythos and a touching tribute to the great Elvis Presley, as well as to the song itself." He also said the AI-animated images of Elvis 'had an uncanny quality, as if he had been raised from the dead, and the crucifixion-resurrection images at the end were both shocking and deeply affecting." In January 2023, Nick publicly condemned ChatGPT, telling fans on his blog that it should 'f*** off and leave songwriting alone'. He added at the time: 'I feel sad about it, disappointed that there are smart people out there that actually think the artistic act is so mundane that it can be replicated by a machine.' Nick also branded submissions of ChatGPT-generated lyrics written in the style of Nick Cave as "bulls***' and 'a grotesque mockery of what it is to be human."
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Crowded House deny fake claims about Neil Finn in AI video
The three-minute-long clip alleges Finn, 67, has become a father again, which is not true. He has only two sons, Liam, 41, and Elroy, 35. Dr Lance O'Sullivan, a former New Zealander of the Year, also appears in the video to deliver a speech about the 'pharmaceutical mafia'. 'This might be the most important decision of your life,' the AI-generated O'Sullivan claims. In a statement to their Facebook page, the band shared the video to humorously deny the claims about Finn's sexual performance. 'We're not sure where this came from but please don't be fooled. Neil's never had trouble with erections.' Finn is a founding member of Crowded House, which formed in 1985 after the 'split' of Split Enz. Known for tracks Don't Dream It's Over, Fall At Your Feet, and Weather With You, the group have sold more than 15 million albums worldwide. They will be touring Australia this year but have no current plans for more shows on New Zealand shores.
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
80s singer blasts AI ad that claimed he had 'troubles with erectile dysfunction'
The frontman of a rock band has shut down claims he's faced issues with 'erectile dysfunction'. Neil Finn is best known for being a member of the Australian-New Zealand rock band Crowded House, which was formed in 1985. Over the next 11 years the band released hits including Don't Dream It's Over and Weather with You before disbanding in 1996. They later reunited with a new line-up in 2020. Away from the spotlight Neil, 67, has been married to Sharon Dawn Johnson since 1982 and they share sons Liam and Elroy. However, this week he was forced to speak out after an ad started circulating about his fertility. Recently a fake, AI-generated news broadcast fronted by TVNZ journalist Simon Dallow has been shared on social media. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The report claimed that Finn had struggled with erectile dysfunction and had recently fathered another child, then going on to speak about his condition and what he'd done to combat it. 'I never thought I'd be able to become a father again,' the AI generated Finn said. 'Honestly, I believe that chapter of my life was closed, not because I didn't want it, but because I simply couldn't.' He went on: 'For years, I lived with a problem. Most men are too ashamed to talk about. My erections became weaker and weaker until they stopped altogether. No desire, no confidence, no control. I was too embarrassed to even talk to my wife about it.' But posting on the official Crowded House Facebook page, a brief statement shut down the reports. 'We're not sure where this came from, but please don't be fooled. Neil's never had trouble with erections,' they wrote. Many fans weighed in, with most making jokes but also addressing the unsettling side of AI. 'Isn't AI spooky!' Steve commented. 'Congratulations on the birth of your fictional AI child Neil and Sharon,' Melanie quipped. 'No way would Neil do an ad for this,' Debbie added. More Trending As of 2021, Crowded House have sold over 15 million albums worldwide. In November 2016, the band was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Last month their song Don't Dream It's Over was voted 5th in the Triple J Hottest 100 of Australian Songs of all time. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: I tried an AI therapist for a month – here is my verdict MORE: Parents and kids are using ChatGPT for schoolwork – is AI raising a generation of 'tech-reliant empty heads'? MORE: Here's why saying 'please' and 'thank you' costs 158,000,000 bottles of water a day
The Age
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Something so strong pulls Neil Finn back to the open road, even 40 years on
You might assume that after 40 years with Crowded House, Neil Finn would've done it all. But then you see a viral video where he's singing Don't Dream It's Over with pop star Dua Lipa and you think, hmm, that's unexpected. 'I just got an email, turns out she and her father, who manages her, are big fans. I was very happy to be asked,' says Finn about being invited onstage by Lipa at her gig in Auckland in April. 'I happen to have an affection for her music, in part because my grandsons Buddy and Manaia danced to Houdini and Levitating all summer. I like her stuff and I like her, she emanates something really positive and good and she was a delight.' Also unexpected? That there are somehow places left in Australia that Crowded House have never yet managed to play. It's partly the reason the band will headline Red Hot Summer, a touring festival that'll take them through regional Australia this October and November, alongside acts like The Church, Angus & Julia Stone, and old acquaintances Mark Seymour and Vika & Linda. 'It's going to be quite a hanging-out-with-the-family kind of vibe, a pretty tight crew getting around to some interesting parts of Australia that we haven't been to for years or sometimes ever,' says Finn. 'There's a bit of extra excitement in the audience when you turn up in a place that's off the beaten track a little bit, where they don't necessarily get things like this. We're pleased to be part of that, and we aim to make it an unforgettable night'. Ever the ageing muso with his tousled grey hair, horn-rimmed glasses and pilling green jumper, Finn, 67 – Zooming from his sun-dappled writing room in Auckland – says he's a creature of habit when it comes to music these days. 'I have a fairly strict life. Not 'strict' because I love it, but a routine of coming into this room here every day and just exploring,' he says. He's been getting new songs going for Crowded House's next album, which he hopes to record in August, with the same lineup – his sons Liam and Elroy, and super-producer Mitch Froom on keyboards – established on 2021's acclaimed comeback Dreamers Are Waiting and last year's Gravity Stairs.
Sydney Morning Herald
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Something so strong pulls Neil Finn back to the open road, even 40 years on
You might assume that after 40 years with Crowded House, Neil Finn would've done it all. But then you see a viral video where he's singing Don't Dream It's Over with pop star Dua Lipa and you think, hmm, that's unexpected. 'I just got an email, turns out she and her father, who manages her, are big fans. I was very happy to be asked,' says Finn about being invited onstage by Lipa at her gig in Auckland in April. 'I happen to have an affection for her music, in part because my grandsons Buddy and Manaia danced to Houdini and Levitating all summer. I like her stuff and I like her, she emanates something really positive and good and she was a delight.' Also unexpected? That there are somehow places left in Australia that Crowded House have never yet managed to play. It's partly the reason the band will headline Red Hot Summer, a touring festival that'll take them through regional Australia this October and November, alongside acts like The Church, Angus & Julia Stone, and old acquaintances Mark Seymour and Vika & Linda. 'It's going to be quite a hanging-out-with-the-family kind of vibe, a pretty tight crew getting around to some interesting parts of Australia that we haven't been to for years or sometimes ever,' says Finn. 'There's a bit of extra excitement in the audience when you turn up in a place that's off the beaten track a little bit, where they don't necessarily get things like this. We're pleased to be part of that, and we aim to make it an unforgettable night'. Ever the ageing muso with his tousled grey hair, horn-rimmed glasses and pilling green jumper, Finn, 67 – Zooming from his sun-dappled writing room in Auckland – says he's a creature of habit when it comes to music these days. 'I have a fairly strict life. Not 'strict' because I love it, but a routine of coming into this room here every day and just exploring,' he says. He's been getting new songs going for Crowded House's next album, which he hopes to record in August, with the same lineup – his sons Liam and Elroy, and super-producer Mitch Froom on keyboards – established on 2021's acclaimed comeback Dreamers Are Waiting and last year's Gravity Stairs.
