By tf-lawyer.com In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Deryck Whibley, the lead singer of the legendary punk band Sum 41, candidly addressed the allegations of years of abuse he endured at the hands of the band’s former manager, Greig Nori. These troubling experiences are detailed in Whibley’s newly released memoir, “Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven and Hell.”
Whibley claims that Nori began grooming and sexually abusing him when he was merely a teenager. For years, he kept the disturbing nature of this relationship hidden from his bandmates, admitting it was a heavy burden as the band’s fame grew. In response to the serious allegations, Nori has denied them, labeling them as “false.”
Formed in 1996, Sum 41 has made a significant mark with their vibrant punk sound, selling over 15 million albums worldwide. Whibley’s memoir chronicles the band’s journey from the Toronto music scene to global recognition, emphasizing Nori’s role as both a mentor and manager. Whibley recalls a pivotal moment during a rave, where Nori unexpectedly kissed him in a bathroom stall at the age of 18, initiating a series of events that led to an unwanted sexual relationship that Whibley claims lasted about four years.
In his memoir, Whibley reflects, “Greig kept pushing for things to happen when we were together. I started feeling like I was being pressured to do something against my will.” Even after their physical relationship ended, he asserts that Nori continued to exert verbal and psychological abuse.
Whibley also revealed that he confided in his ex-wife, Avril Lavigne, who was shocked by his disclosure, telling him, “That’s abuse! He sexually abused you.” The couple was married from 2006 to 2009.
Reflecting on the weight of his secret, Whibley shared, “I thought the relationship with Mr. Nori would be a deep, dark secret I was going to take to my grave. But I didn’t know how to tell the story [of the band] without it, because it was so intertwined with everything that was going on in my life back at that point, almost on a daily basis.”
Sum 41 parted ways with Nori in 2005, and he has since dismissed Whibley’s claims as “false allegations,” stating he is considering legal action for potential defamation. Whibley confirmed that he did not inform Nori of the memoir’s release beforehand, admitting to the LA Times, “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?’”
As Sum 41 prepares for their farewell world tour after 28 years together, Whibley’s revelations shed new light on the band’s history and the challenges he faced throughout their journey.
