LFO founding member Brian ‘Brizz’ Gillis passes away at 47

The music world is in mourning, with LFO founding member Brian ‘Brizz’ Gillis passing away at 47 years of age.

While no cause of death was revealed, sources close to the singer confirmed his death to Variety.

Gillis was one of the founding members of LFO with Brad Fischetti and Rich Cronin, who passed away in 2010 at just 36 from leukemia.

Gillis was part of the band from its formation in 1995 until 1999, when he left the band and was replaced by Devin Lima, who passed away in 2018 at just 41 after a battle with stage 4 adrenal cancer.

Fischetti confirmed his former bandmate’s death in an Instagram post with a touching tribute to Gillis.

Tribute: Fischetti confirmed his former bandmate’s death in an Instagram post with a touching tribute to Gillis

‘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 began. 

‘I don’t have details and it wouldn’t be my place to share them if I did. I am really struggling to process this tragic loss,’ he added. 

‘I’ve said it before and I will continue to say it; the LFO Story is a tragedy,’ Fischetti added. 

‘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,’ he continued.

He added that, ‘Today I honor my former bandmate and friend, Brizz. If you watched the LFO Story livestream or have seen the band and me play it live, you know what Brian meant to LFO.’

Fischetti went on to reveal that Brizz’s, ‘hard work and dedication in the early days of LFO’ was integral to the group’s success, adding, ‘the LFO you came to know and (hopefully) love would not exist’ without him.

He went on to admit, ‘My relationship with Brian was complex. 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,’ he added. 

Chapters: ‘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 began

Complex: He went on to admit, ‘My relationship with Brian was complex. It contained moments of great tribulation 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’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,’ he said.

‘I know that soon or maybe already, Brizz will be greeted by Rich and Devin. And I hope that together, they will make some sweet sounds. I would really like that,’ he said.

‘Rest east bro. Rest easy,’ Fischetti concluded.

LFO – which stood for Lyte Funkie Ones – was formed 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 #54 on 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 their debut self-titled album was released with 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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