Sum 41’s Deryck Whibley Accuses Former Manager of Sexual Abuse

Deryck Whibley, the lead singer of the Canadian band Sum 41, has leveled serious allegations against the band’s former manager, Greig Nori, in his forthcoming memoir. In “Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven and Hell,” Whibley alleges that Nori coerced him into a sexual relationship during their professional association, which began when Whibley was a teenager.

The memoir, set for release by Simon & Schuster’s imprint Gallery Books, recounts Whibley’s experience under Nori’s influence, who is also known as the co-frontman of the band Treble Charger. Whibley describes feeling pressured and manipulated into a non-consensual relationship by Nori, who was 33 at the time of their meeting when Whibley was 16.

Nori, who responded to the allegations stating they are “false,” has hired a defamation lawyer. He claims to have been unaware of the memoir’s content until recent online coverage.

Whibley recounts encounters that he initially considered “experiments” while under the influence of drugs but felt “extremely uncomfortable” with when sober. According to him, Nori’s influence was pervasive to the point of initiating bouts of depression.

The origins of this relationship trace back to a Treble Charger concert where Nori, over a decade older than Whibley, first exhibited interest in managing Sum 41, leading to his eventual control over the band’s affairs. Whibley writes about how Nori’s involvement in his career and life was so substantial that he initially viewed Nori as a mentor and father figure.

Aside from the personal allegations, Whibley accuses Nori of having taken songwriting credits unjustly and describes a lawsuit that was settled out-of-court in 2018 to reclaim those credits. The professional relationship between Nori and Sum 41 ended in 2005.

In an interview with the Toronto Star, Whibley expressed a willingness to address these allegations legally if challenged, stating, “You can’t sue [someone] for telling the truth.” Despite the gravity of the allegations, Nori has not been formally charged, and the claims remain undocumented by legal authorities.

As Whibley prepares for Sum 41’s farewell tour, he reflects on how the band’s history, including these troubling chapters, has been integral to their journey and contributed to his decision to finally share these stories publicly.