The music world is in mourning after LFO founder Brian ‘Brizz’ Gillis passes away at the age of 47.
While no cause of death was revealed, sources close to the singer confirmed his death Variety.
Gillis was a founding member of LFO with Brad Fischetti and Rich Cronin, who passed away from leukemia in 2010 at just 36 years old.
Gillis was part of the band from its inception in 1995 until 1999 when he left the band and was replaced by Devin Lima, who passed away in 2018 aged just 41 after a battle with stage 4 adrenal cancer.
Fischetti confirmed the death of his former bandmate in an Instagram post with a touching tribute to Gillis.
Mourning: The music world is in mourning, with LFO founder Brian ‘Brizz’ Gillis passing away at age 47
Tribute: Fischetti confirmed the death of his former bandmate in an Instagram post with a touching tribute to Gillis
Each story consists of chapters. Some develop naturally. Some you have to cut in your head. The first two chapters of the LFO story lost a main character yesterday. Brian ‘Brizz’ Gillis is dead,” Fischetti began.
“I have no details and it wouldn’t be for me to share if I did. I am really struggling to process this tragic loss,” he added.
‘I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it; the LFO story is a tragedy,” Fischetti added.
“If you know what I’ve done, you know I’m trying to bring light into the darkness. Trying to find redemption in pain and suffering. Trying to honor the legacy,’ he continued.
He added, “Today I honor my former bandmate and friend, Brizz. If you’ve seen the LFO Story livestream or seen the band and I play it live, you know what Brian meant to LFO.”
Fischetti further revealed that Brizz’s “hard work and dedication in the early days of LFO” was integral to the group’s success, adding “the LFO you got to know and (hopefully) love wouldn’t exist” without him .
He further admitted, “My relationship with Brian was complex. It contained moments of great trial but also of great joy.’
“I learned a lot from him about music and how to put together a show and rock it,” he added.
Chapters: ‘Each story is made up of chapters. Some develop naturally. Some you have to cut in your head. The first two chapters of the LFO story lost a main character yesterday. Brian ‘Brizz’ Gillis is dead,” Fischetti began
Complex: He further admitted, “My relationship with Brian was complex. It contained moments of great trial but also of great joy.”
“And it’s those positive aspects of our relationship that I will lean on now and forever,” Fischetti continued.
He added, “I prayed for Brian every day for years. And I will continue to pray for him, for his beloved father, for his friends, his family and those who loved him.”
“Special prayers for Pistol Pete and Terry Edwards; two men who have a special place in my heart and no doubt a special place in Brian’s heart,” he said.
“I know Brizz will be greeted by Rich and Devin soon, if not already. And I hope they will make sweet noises together. I would very much like that,” he said.
‘Rest east bro. Rest in peace,’ concluded Fischetti.
LFO – which stood for Lyte Funkie Ones – was founded in 1995 in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Their first hit was a remake of Yvonne Elliman’s If I Can’t Have You, which just missed the Top 40 in the US and reached number 54 in the UK charts.
They released a cover of New Kids on the Block’s Step By Step in 1997, before Gillis left the group in 1999, before the release of their self-titled debut album featuring their biggest hit, Summer Girls.
Formed: LFO – which stood for Lyte Funkie Ones – was formed in 1995 in New Bedford, Massachusetts
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