Latest news with #LFO
Daily Record
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
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. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 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.'
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Boy band fans devastated after 90s group wiped out - with survivor's tribute
LFO were a huge 90s boy band – but the group was struck with tragedy when three members all died young. Now the remaining star is performing as a tribute to the friends he's lost LFO may not have hit the heights of fame like 'NSYNC or Backstreet Boys, but back in the day their track Summer Girls had every teen humming along. The hopeful boy band shot their cheery music video at New York's Coney Island amusement park's beach and pier back in 1999. Litttle did they know of the horrific fate that awaited, bringing LFO to an end as three of its four members died. Yet an astonishing 26 years later, the band's sole survivor is performing again in memory of the friends he lost. Brad Fischetti, now 49, has been singing with The LFO Story, recently wowing crowds in Celebration, Florida, with a special gig. Formed in 1995 after Brad and Rich Cronin connected with Brian 'Brizz' Gillis in New Bedford, Massachusetts, LFO struggled initially. Their fortunes turned when Brizz departed in 1999, and Devin Lima's joining led to their chart-topping success, with Summer Girls reaching No 1 in the US and No 16 on the UK Official Singles Chart. LFO's song was packed full of 80s and 90s references including Cherry Coke, actors Macaulay Culkin, Kevin Bacon and Michael J. Fox, their fellow boy band New Kids On The Block, and even Abercrombie & Fitch. The band seemed destined for stardom as they clinched the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favourite Group of the Year in 2000, performed over 230 gigs – including opening for pop sensation Britney Spears – and even unleashed their own line of dolls in 2001. However, the fickle tides of music trends meant they had a disappointing second album, prompting them to part ways in 2002. Rich Cronin then faced a fierce battle with leukaemia but emerged victorious post-treatment, expressing gratitude for his charmed life in showbiz: "I am truly thankful for the success I had," and adding wistfully, "And if it happens again, that'd be really nice. I'm just that same guy writing pop songs to make people happy. And I still only like girls in Abercrombie and Fitch." In an inspiring turn, LFO got back together in 2009, hitting the road with their music. But all was not well, as Rich's health waned again, with his band mates rallying round him reminiscent of UK sensation The Wanted's support for Tom Parker amidst his own cancer battle. Reflecting on their renewed bond in the shadow of adversity, Brad shared in 2010, "He was so happy. We really became soulmates. Devin and I both realised how much we loved him, despite the differences we had in the past." Despite Rich's valiant battle with his illness, he tragically passed away in Boston in September 2010 at the age of 36. Seven years later, in July 2017, Brad and Devin released a fresh LFO track – their first in a whopping 15 years. They vowed to continue their musical journey and always remember Rich. Yet just three months on, more heartbreaking news arrived. This time it was Devin who received a devastating blow. He discovered he had an extremely rare form of cancer and nderwent surgery to remove a tumour the size of a football from his stomach, as well as one of his kidneys. Before his hospital admission, Devin said that he didn't believe it was a type of cancer and simply wanted it removed from his body. Although his surgery appeared successful, a year later, Devin sadly succumbed to his illness at 41 years old, leaving behind his girlfriend and six children. And in another shocking turn of events, original LFO member Brizz also passed away in March 2023, at just 48. His family did not disclose the cause of his death. Posting on Instagram earlier this month, Brad Fischetti honoured his bandmates after his LFO Story gig, saying: "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. Big thanks to the all of who made it possible and to @ for hosting us. 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 have been swift to post their broken-hearted responses, with one saying: "Devin and Rich are there in spirit and are proud of you @thereallfo. Thank you to Trevor for helping to honor Devin and Rich," while another commented: "Those guys are extremely missed." A third simply said: ""We miss u Rich & Devin."
