Marshall quits band to ‘speak freely’
Winston Marshall, a founding member of folkrock group Mumford & Sons, announced Thursday he is leaving the band so that he can “speak freely” about political issues.
Marshall took a break from the band in March after sparking a social media storm by tweeting admiration for “Unmasked,” a book by right-wing writer-activist Andy Ngo.
Marshall was accused online of endorsing the far right, but said Thursday that “nothing could be further from the truth. I condemn unequivocally all political extremism, be it of the Right or Left.”
Marshall, who plays guitar and banjo with the group, said his bandmates had “invited me to continue with them,” but he had decided to leave so that he could “speak freely without them suffering the consequences.”
“We wish you all the best for the future, Win, and we love you man,” the other band members — Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane — wrote on Instagram in response.
Artists tweet support for Spears:
On Wednesday, pop icon Britney Spears petitioned for her release from the conservatorship that has kept her activities and financial assets under the control of her father, Jamie Spears, since 2008. In her testimony, the pop star recounted physical and emotional hardships.
A number of artists tweeted in solidarity with Britney Spears on Wednesday, including Cher, Mariah Carey, Halsey, Tinashe, Liz Phair and Brandy. Cher tweeted that she would call government officials regarding Spears’ case: “I will try to call. Might not get through... But I will try.” Phair lamented Spears’ plight:
“Oldest trick in the book of the patriarchy: Declare a woman mad and gain control of her assets/property.” Halsey posted, “I hope with my whole heart she is awarded freedom from this abusive system.”
Spears’ ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake also expressed outrage. “What’s happening to her is just not right,” he tweeted. “No woman should ever be restricted from making decisions about her own body.”
Hoppus reveals cancer diagnosis:
Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker have offered words of support to their Blink-182 bandmate Mark Hoppus, who announced Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with cancer.
On social media, singer and bassist Hoppus, 49, revealed that he has been receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer “for the past three months.” He did not specify what kind of cancer he is battling.
“It sucks and I’m scared, and at the same time I’m blessed with incredible
doctors and family and friends to get me through this,” Hoppus wrote. “I still have months of treatment ahead of me but I’m trying to remain hopeful and positive.”
Singer and guitarist DeLonge, 45, wrote on Twitter that he has been “aware of @markhoppus’s cancer diagnosis for awhile now” and praised his collaborator’s resilience.
In a statement to E! News, drummer Barker,
45, also expressed “love and support” for Hoppus.
“Mark is my brother,” Barker said. “I will be with him every step of the way on stage and off and can’t wait for us to play together again soon.”
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