Sum 41 Frontman Deryck Whibley Accuses Former Manager of Sexual Abuse in New Memoir
Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley has made shocking allegations against the band’s former manager, Greig Nori, in his newly released memoir, Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven and Hell. The memoir reveals claims of sexual abuse and grooming that Whibley says began when he was a teenager, with Nori exerting control over him for years.
Allegations of Abuse Against Greig Nori
In the memoir, Whibley recounts how Nori, who was then in his 30s and a frontman for a Canadian indie band, became Sum 41’s first manager and mentor in the Toronto music scene. Whibley alleges that their relationship took a dark turn after a performance, when Nori unexpectedly kissed him in a bathroom stall at a rave while Whibley was under the influence of ecstasy. He claims this moment was the start of an unwanted sexual relationship that lasted around four years, with Nori allegedly pressuring him into acts against his will.
“Greig kept pushing for things to happen when we were together,” Whibley writes. He also claims that, even after the physical relationship ended, Nori continued to subject him to verbal and psychological abuse.
Whibley, now 44, revealed to the Toronto Star that he had kept the abuse hidden for years, initially believing it would remain a “deep, dark secret” that he would take to his grave. However, the significance of the events during that time was too intertwined with his life and career to leave out of his memoir.
Reaction to the Allegations
Whibley disclosed the abusive relationship to his ex-wife, fellow Canadian singer Avril Lavigne, who responded, “That’s abuse! He sexually abused you.” The couple was married from 2006 to 2009.
The band parted ways with Nori in 2005, long before Whibley publicly discussed the allegations. In response to the memoir’s publication, Nori has denied the accusations, calling them “false” and stating that he has retained a defamation lawyer.
The Globe and Mail reported that Nori strongly refutes the claims, but Whibley told the Los Angeles Times that he did not feel obligated to warn Nori before publishing the memoir. “I’ve had an inner battle, like, ‘Why do I want to tell him? Because I feel like I’m supposed to? Because he still has this thing over me?’” Whibley said.
Sum 41’s Legacy and Farewell Tour
Sum 41, formed in 1996, became an iconic name in the punk rock scene, with over 15 million albums sold worldwide and multiple awards to their name. Whibley’s memoir also details the band’s early struggles, rise to international fame, and the challenges they faced along the way. As the band embarks on its farewell tour, after 28 years together, Whibley’s revelations have cast a new light on the band’s history and his personal journey.
The memoir, Walking Disaster, sheds light on both the highs and lows of Whibley’s career, offering fans a candid look at the frontman’s life, including the impact of abuse and the pressures of fame.
Source : BBC