Ajax rock band Sum 41 to disband
Published May 8, 2023 at 4:32 pm
The biggest rock band to ever come out of Ajax is calling it quits.
Sum 41, which formed in Ajax in 1996 and has released seven studio albums (four have been certified platinum) announced Monday they will be disbanding after their current world tour is complete.
The band released a statement on their official website and on Twitter that said being in Sum 41 “brought us some of the best moments of our lives” and thanked their fans for the years of support.
“We are forever grateful to our fans both old and new who have supported us in every way. It’s hard to articulate the love and respect we have for all of you and we wanted you to hear this from us first.”
Deryck Whibley, the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, keyboardist, main songwriter, producer, founder and only constant member of the band, had suffered from a number of health problems over the years – notably chronic back pain – but no reason was cited for the break-up and the band has promised to honour all contractual agreements before disbanding.
“We will still be finishing all of our upcoming tour dates this year and we’re looking forward to releasing our final album – Heaven 😡 Hell – along with a final worldwide headline tour to celebrate.”
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Sum 41 is scheduled to tour the U.S. this summer and fall with Simple Plan and The Offspring.
The band released their debut EP Half Hour of Power, in 2000 and their first full-length LP All Killer No Filler the following year. The album contained the hit single Fat Lip, which rocketed to #1 on the Billboard charts and remains their biggest hit to date.
Sum 41, usually described as pop-punk (though many of their songs blend a variety of genres), is known for constantly touring, which likely factored in the decision to end the band. They have been nominated seven times for Juno Awards and won twice: Group of the Year (2002) and Rock Album of the Year (Chuck, 2005).
Whibley, who is now married with two children, was previously married to fellow Canadian rock star Avril Lavigne. Whibley attended Exeter High School in Ajax, where he and his bandmates were discovered while playing in a battle of the bands.
“For now we look forward to all of you Skumfuks on the road and we are excited for what the future will bring for each of us,” the band said in the statement. “Thank you for 27 years of Sum 41.”
