Former child actor Corey Feldman is mourning the death of Duke Gadd, the drummer of his band, Love Retours.
“It’s with tremendous sadness I must relay the news that our drummer from the #loveretours23 tours has passed away @ a very young age!” Feldman, 53, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, February 13. “Our friend & drummer @melomaniac_graffiti aka #dukegadd passed away in Vegas yesterday from a fentanyl overdose!”
Feldman added that Gadd was “beyond talented” but “poisoned by his own struggles in life.”
“What a tremendous loss of a talented young man gone far 2 soon!” he continued. “My heart hurts losing another friend 2 the throws of drug addiction & the insane fentanyl crisis that’s taken over our country! my condolences 2 all his friends & family! #ripdukegadd”
The late musician, son of legendary drummer Dr. Steve Gadd, joined Love Retours in 2023 along with guitarist Gregg Sartiano and vocalist Alexandra Danielle.
Feldman has been open about his own struggles with drugs and alcohol in the past, which he said came after experiencing abuse at the hands of his mother and sexual abuse as a child actor in Hollywood. The man who abused him, Feldman alleged, also introduced him to heroin.
“And that’s when I really took the plunge, after I got off the coke, after I’d already had a stint with crack,” he said in a 2013 interview with the Huffington Post. “Then this other girl broke up with me, and then the guy, who was the pedophile … who introduced me to every one of the drugs I ever tried said, ‘Hey, why don’t you try heroin.'”
As of 2016, he claimed to be more than two decades sober.
The Goonies actor and his band spent much of last summer traveling around the country for the Loservile Tour, which wrapped at the end of August. Fans took to Feldman’s replies to share their memories of the band performing and to express their condolences.
“So sorry Corey,” one wrote. “We went to see you in Morristown NJ and we got to see him perform with you. What a great drummer and very energetic person. Again, very sorry.”
“Oh man this is SO sad. I’m glad I got to see you guys play together. He had some SERIOUS drumming skills,” another fan shared. “Prayers and hugs go out to all you guys and his family.”
Duke’s death comes at the same time Corey is navigating his ongoing divorce from estranged wife, Courtney Feldman. Courtney, who demanded $5,000 per month in spousal support, claimed the actor earned $280,000 per month. Corey pushed back on those demands, claiming to only make $2,536 per month, according to The Blast.
A judge settled on $3,500 per month in support as Corey claimed he is still addressing IRS and credit card debt.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
