Sum 41’s Deryck Whibley claims band’s former manager ‘groomed and sexually abused him’ from age 16
SUM 41 frontman Deryck Whibley has claimed his band’s former manager “groomed and sexually abused him” as a teenager.
The singer has spoken for the first time about his experience of being “pressured” into a sexual relationship with Greig Nori in his new memoir, Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven and Hell.
Whibley was 16 years old when he met Nori, frontman of Treble Charger, who was 34 at the time.
They are said to have met backstage at one of Nori’s shows.
The pair spent hours talking on the phone as Nori acted as a sort of mentor figure to Whibley.
Eventually, Nori became Sum 41’s manager, producing their music, inviting them to parties and raves and helping them make industry connections.
Whibley describes being “passionately” kissed by Nori in a bathroom during a night when he was 18.
He describes being “in shock” and “confused” – having never been attracted to men before.
Nori is accused of persuading Whibley to explore their connection further by telling him many rockers were “queer”, adding: “most people are bisexual; they’re just too afraid to admit it.”
Whibley writes in his new book: “He was so relentless and convincing that after a while, I started to believe that maybe he was right.”
After experimenting with his sexuality for a few months, Whibley wanted to end their physical encounters.
However, Nori is accused of breaking into a rage when he tried to end things.
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Whibley continued: “He told me this was all my fault to begin with because I should never have said yes to it in the first place.
“I started this and now he was in it with me so I couldn’t just stop.”
After Nori’s physical encounters ended, Whibley says he was verbally abused as Sum 41’s success soared.
He is believed to have been fired as the band’s managed in 2004.
Sum 41 had hits including Fat Lip and In Too Deep after forming in the 90s.
Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven and Hell is out Tuesday, October 8.