Current:Home > NewsNell Smith, Flaming Lips Collaborator and Music Prodigy, Dead at 17 -EliteFunds
Nell Smith, Flaming Lips Collaborator and Music Prodigy, Dead at 17
View
Date:2025-04-16 02:00:13
Friends and family are mourning the loss of a young musical prodigy.
Nell Smith, the 17-year-old who is best known for collaborating with The Flaming Lips, passed away suddenly on Oct. 5.
“It pains us so much to say that our feisty, talented, unique, beautiful daughter was cruelly taken from us on Saturday night,” Nell’s family said in an Instagram tribute post on Oct. 7. “We are reeling from the news and don’t know what to do or say.”
Nell was slated to release her debut solo album in early 2025 after releasing an album of covers of Nick Cave songs with The Flaming Lips in 2021 titled Where the Viaduct Looms.
“She had so much more to experience and to give this world but we are grateful that she got to experience so very much in her 17 years,” her family continued. “She has left an indelible mark on the word and an unfillable chasm in our hearts. Hold your kids extra tight tonight and for now please leave us to work through things. We will shout when we need you. Jude, Rachel, Jed and Ike x.”
Though a cause of death was not shared in the post, Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne opened up to the audience during the group’s Portland, Ore., concert on Oct. 6, announcing through tears, “We got some very sad messages today that she was killed in a car accident last night, and we're reminded once again of the power of music.”
Simone Raymonde, the owner of the record label Bella Union which was releasing Nell’s debut album, shared another tribute to the late singer.
“We are all shocked and devastated to hear of the sudden and tragic passing of our artist and dear friend Nell Smith, over the weekend in British Columbia,” Simone wrote. “Nell was just 17 and was preparing for the release of her first solo record in early 2025 on Bella Union.”
Simone added, “While we all try and come to terms with the awful news, and out of respect to Nell’s grieving family, we are unable to make any further comments at this time.”
In 2023, Nell explained her love of music to fans while asking for contributions to her Kickstarter to record her solo album.
“Music has been in my life for as long as I can remember,” the teen said in a YouTube video. “Usually that was just putting on headphones and listening to music and then I picked up a guitar and realized I could play other people’s songs. And then when I was 11 I wrote my own songs and realized that was a really great way for me to articulate my feelings and emotions.”
Watch E! News weeknights Monday through Thursday at 11 p.m., only on E!.veryGood! (714)
Related
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Meet the high school sport that builds robots — and the next generation of engineers
- Make Meal Prepping a Breeze With These 17 Amazon Must-Haves
- DWTS Pro Emma Slater's Take on Working With Ex-Husband Sasha Farber May Surprise You
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Opinion: Fewer dings, please!
- Video shows chunky black bear stroll into Florida man's garage for a quick snack
- How I learned to stop worrying and love Edgar Allan Poe
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Russian lawmakers will consider rescinding ratification of global nuclear test ban, speaker says
Ranking
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- The Bachelor's Clayton Echard Reveals Results of Paternity Test Following Woman's Lawsuit
- 'Of course you think about it': Arnold Schwarzenegger spills on presidential ambitions
- Former US intelligence officer charged with trying to give classified defense information to China
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- What's brain fog? Five expert recommended steps to get rid of brain fog.
- Man arrested in Christmas Day death of 3-year-old girl in Maine
- Bear and 2 cubs captured, killed after sneaking into factory in Japan amid growing number of reported attacks
Recommendation
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
A nurse is named as the prime suspect in the mysterious death of the Nigerian Afrobeat star Mohbad
Russia demands an apology after Cyprus arrests a Russian journalist reportedly for security reasons
Neck hold used on Elijah McClain emerges as focal point in officers’ trial over his 2019 death
Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
Fear of failure gone, Clayton Kershaw leads Dodgers into playoffs — possibly for last time
Have an heirloom ruined by climate disaster? There's a hotline to call for help
Judge pauses litigation in classified docs case while mulling Trump's request