Erasure lead singer diagnosed HIV positive — Forum Archive

16 Dec 2004, 14:18

ERASURE STAR REVEALS HE'S HIV-POSITIVE

ERASURE singer ANDY BELL has revealed that he is HIV-Positive.

The star announced yesterday (December 14) that he has known about his condition since June 1998 when he suffered a bout of pneumonia.

Bell’s admission is his first step in a larger plan of speaking out and educating young people about HIV and AIDS, according to his spokesperson.

"Being HIV-positive does not mean that you have AIDS," Bell said in a statement. "My life expectancy should be the same as anyone else's, so there is no need to panic. There is still so much hysteria and ignorance surrounding HIV and AIDS. Let's just get on with life."

According to MTV News, long-time partner Paul Hickey has also tested positive.

Erasure are set to release their new album ’Nightbird’ on January 24 and Bell says that after undergoing drug-combination therapy he is feeling better than ever.

The band will kick off a tour in support of the new album in the UK around February or March before heading out to the US in April/May for a string of dates in ten to 15 cities. Multiple shows are planned in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, with as many as ten nights considered for the latter.

Bell’s spokesperson said that Erasure are considering adding on extra dates as benefit shows raising money for AIDS research and awareness.

In a statement announcing the album last month, Bell said: "The last couple of albums were a bit moody and down I'm so much happier with everything now. ... You can hear it in the music."

Hmmm... sure gives new meaning to the song "Chains of Love"..... :o

16 Dec 2004, 14:53

Hmmm ... poor man with a horrible voice. Who was his boyfriend anyway?

16 Dec 2004, 14:56

He always did sound like he was all stuffed up... :evil4: Nevermind.

I meant, like he always needed to blow his nose or something...like a cold.

Guess he chose the Creme of su...of funk it! :rofl:

16 Dec 2004, 17:47

"sometimes" is a great pop song.

16 Dec 2004, 18:44

Great singer from a great disposable pop band. I just hope he doesn't die anytime soon. :(

16 Dec 2004, 21:21

poor guy. Friend of mine downloaded the new Erasure album but I haven't really gotten around to listening to it yet. He made me promise to go to the show if they tour to Seattle and tickets aren't a nasty amount of money.

16 Dec 2004, 23:21

I don't think he will die anytime soon. He said that his medication will help him have a regular life span.

I have always loved Erasure. i saw them a few times in concert and they were always great. I met Andy and Vince in 1997. they were actually the nicest and coolest people to meet. I met the Cure a bunch, and as much as the Cure is my favorite band of all time, Andy and Vince were much cooler to talk to. Actually, I met them twice that year. The first time, we chatted and took pictures and they signed my albums, Vince was even cool enough to sign Speak and Spell. I met them again a few months later to say thank you, and they actually remembered who I was. Andy asked if I enjoyed the show that night, I told him both shows were sold out and I could not get tickets, he said "thats too bad" and wrote my name down on a napkin and said to show up to willcall. He left 4 tickets, 5th row center for me and my friends. That was the coolest thing anyone in a band could ever do.

anyhoo, it does suck that he has HIV, but that should not take away from the fact that Erasure is awesome and that they continue to make records and tour.

PS---Vince Clarke is a genius. Responsible for Depeche Mode, Erasure, and Yaz. Everything he touched back then turned into gold.

16 Dec 2004, 23:30

Originally posted by NObabe Hmmm ... poor man with a horrible voice. Who was his boyfriend anyway?

Funny you should ask that.:D

17 Dec 2004, 00:30

I will reserve coment

17 Dec 2004, 11:43

My brother was a fan so i've always liked their music. I'd like to point out my brother is the reason i got into new order, so his music taste wasn't all that bad! :)

17 Dec 2004, 13:14

Originally posted by John Sludden > Originally posted by NObabe> Hmmm ... poor man with a horrible voice. Who was his boyfriend anyway?

Funny you should ask that.:D

Dammit, I just spit coke all over the screen!!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

17 Dec 2004, 13:14

Can't say i'm a fan of any of his music, but hearing that anyone is HIV positive makes me feel sick to be honest.

It's really sad but on the right treatment, he should be able to keep himself healthy. Look at Holly Johnson, he looks like he's doing alright.

17 Dec 2004, 17:11

Originally posted by Julie Can't say i'm a fan of any of his music, but hearing that anyone is HIV positive makes me feel sick to be honest.It's really sad but on the right treatment, he should be able to keep himself healthy. Look at Holly Johnson, he looks like he's doing alright.

Or, here in the states, the rather robust figure of Magic Johnson

18 Dec 2004, 02:14

Originally posted by Jeff > Originally posted by John Sludden > > > > Originally posted by NObabe> > Hmmm ... poor man with a horrible voice. Who was his boyfriend anyway?>

Funny you should ask that.:D

Dammit, I just spit coke all over the screen!!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Very amusing Unc! As everyone on here knows....I FUCKING HATE ERASURE. Right up there with Simply Rediculous, Michael Fucking Bolton, Roxette, The Lighthouse Family, Phuck Collins and Elton John.

Still, I wouldn't wish him unwell. Just as long as they STOP making music :eek:

18 Dec 2004, 04:25

Oi! No love here. Ah well. Sometimes was a good tune for sure, I always did like Victim of Love too.

18 Dec 2004, 04:38

I feel sorry for whoever has been gettin 'bummed off' by him for the past 6 years! On a serious note,its a very brave thing to make it public knowledge. Back to the piss taking,i liked Erasure when i was younger,but it makes me whince to think i used to sing out loud lines like "the truth is harder than the pain inside" when they were obviously refering to gay sex!

:evil4:

18 Dec 2004, 04:45

Originally posted by SteveOne ,but it makes me whince to think i used to sing out loud lines like "the truth is harder than the pain inside" when they were obviously refering to gay sex!

FOOKING LMFAO!!!! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

18 Dec 2004, 04:49

Ummmmmm.... :scratch: I've no clue what the fook just happened, but sorry! :shrug:

18 Dec 2004, 19:44

Sad. Not that I can name a single tune they ever did But sad nonetheless.

Now if Jacko announced that he had AIDS...

18 Dec 2004, 22:41

The two only singles of them that got played in the radio here were in 1988, "Chains of Love" and "A Little Respect".

WHICH BRINGS THIS QUESTION: Does anyone know the meaning behind the gesture of Vince Clarke in the Little Respect video when, towards the end of the clip, he puts paint on a Depeche Mode "Music For The Masses" lookalike speaker and, actually, paints above the DM Music For The Masses logo????? Remember that this logo was on each single and video Depeche Mode released in 1987/1988...

Did Clarke had animosity towards Depeche?

I've never read anything about this anywhere.

Here's the logo I'm referring to by the way :

19 Dec 2004, 01:07

Originally posted by Christmas Teaser The two only singles of them that got played in the radio here were in 1988, "Chains of Love" and "A Little Respect".WHICH BRINGS THIS QUESTION: Does anyone know the meaning behind the gesture of Vince Clarke in the Little Respect video when, towards the end of the clip, he puts paint on a Depeche Mode "Music For The Masses" lookalike speaker and, actually, paints above the DM Music For The Masses logo????? Remember that this logo was on each single and video Depeche Mode released in 1987/1988...

Did Clarke had animosity towards Depeche?

I've never read anything about this anywhere.

Here's the logo I'm referring to by the way :

He was just being playful. Depeche Mode had been enjoying massive success with the Music for the Masses album and Vince felt it was Erasure's turn to be in the spotlight.