The frontman of a rock band has shut down claims he’s faced issues with ‘erectile dysfunction’.
Neil Finn is best known for being a member of the Australian-New Zealand rock band Crowded House, which was formed in 1985.
Over the next 11 years the band released hits including Don’t Dream It’s Over and Weather with You before disbanding in 1996. They later reunited with a new line-up in 2020.
Away from the spotlight Neil, 67, has been married to Sharon Dawn Johnson since 1982 and they share sons Liam and Elroy.
However, this week he was forced to speak out after an ad started circulating about his fertility.
Recently a fake, AI-generated news broadcast fronted by TVNZ journalist Simon Dallow has been shared on social media.
The report claimed that Finn had struggled with erectile dysfunction and had recently fathered another child, then going on to speak about his condition and what he’d done to combat it.
‘I never thought I’d be able to become a father again,’ the AI generated Finn said.
‘Honestly, I believe that chapter of my life was closed, not because I didn’t want it, but because I simply couldn’t.’
He went on: ‘For years, I lived with a problem. Most men are too ashamed to talk about. My erections became weaker and weaker until they stopped altogether. No desire, no confidence, no control. I was too embarrassed to even talk to my wife about it.’
But posting on the official Crowded House Facebook page, a brief statement shut down the reports.
‘We’re not sure where this came from, but please don’t be fooled. Neil’s never had trouble with erections,’ they wrote.
Many fans weighed in, with most making jokes but also addressing the unsettling side of AI.
‘Isn’t AI spooky!’ Steve commented.
‘Congratulations on the birth of your fictional AI child Neil and Sharon,’ Melanie quipped.
‘No way would Neil do an ad for this,’ Debbie added.
As of 2021, Crowded House have sold over 15 million albums worldwide.
In November 2016, the band was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
Last month their song Don’t Dream It’s Over was voted 5th in the Triple J Hottest 100 of Australian Songs of all time.
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