Confirming the sad news, Fischetti says in a statement via his social media pages that his friendship with Gillis was 'complex,' but he will continue to pray for the late singer.
- Mar 31, 2023
AceShowbiz - Another of former LFO members has passed away. Brian Gillis a.k.a. Brizz, one of the founders of the 1990s boy band, passed away on Wednesday, March 29. He was 47 years old and the third LFO member to die.
Confirming the sad news was Brad Fischetti, the remaining surviving member of the pop and hip-hop band. In a statement posted on his social media pages, he wrote on Thursday, "Every story is made up of chapters. Some develop naturally. Some you have to cut up in your mind. The first two chapters of the LFO story lost a main character yesterday. Brian 'Brizz' Gillis passed away."
Fischetti said he doesn't "have details" of the cause of death, adding, "I am really struggling to process this tragic loss." Reflecting on the band's journey, he said, "I've said it before and I will continue to say it; the LFO Story is a tragedy. If you know what I've been doing, you know I'm trying to bring light into the darkness. Trying find redemption in pain and suffering. Trying to honor the legacy."
"Today I honor my former bandmate and friend, Brizz," he continued. "If you watched the LFO Story livestream or have seen the band and me play it live, you know what Brian meant to LFO. If it wasn't for his hard work and dedication in the early days of LFO, the first two chapters, the LFO you came to know and (hopefully) love would not exist."
Fischetti admitted his relationship with his late bandmate "was complex." He explained, "It contained moments of great tribulation but also of great joy. I learned a lot from him about the business of music and how to put together and rock a show. And it's those positive aspects of our relationship that I will lean on now and forever."
Regardless, he stated, "I've prayed for Brian every day for many 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 hold a special place in my heart and undoubtedly held a special place in Brian's heart."
"I know that soon or maybe already, Brizz will be greeted by Rich and Devin," he penned, referring to two others LFO members who had died, before concluding, "And I hope that together, they will make some sweet sounds. I would really like that. Rest east bro. Rest easy."
Rich Cronin passed away at 36 years old after a stroke while battling leukemia in 2010. In 2018, Devin Lima died at 41 due to adrenal cancer.
Together with Fischetti and Cronin, Gillis formed LFO in 1995. Gillis left the band in 1999 to pursue a solo career. Lima then joined the group in place of Gillis. In the same year, the band released "Summer Girls", which became their biggest hit.
