Music icon Gary Numan has shared the devastating reason behind his emotional breakdown during a concert in Birmingham, revealing his brother died just hours before he took to the stage.
A Brother's Final Goodbye
The 67-year-old Tubeway Army star was left 'shell-shocked' after receiving what he described as the 'worst news ever' on Saturday. In a heartfelt social media post, Numan explained that his 60-year-old brother, John, suffered a fatal heart attack in the early hours of Saturday morning in Leeds.
The tragedy unfolded after John had spent the evening with his famous brother at the Telekon show in Leeds on Friday. Gary recounted how they had enjoyed a long-awaited catch-up, talking for hours about everything from their father and children to John's newfound love of reading and their shared passion for steam trains and aeroplanes.
The Tragic Walk Home
'I hugged him at the door of our tour bus, I think it was about 12:20am,' Gary wrote, explaining their final moments together. 'I asked him how far he had to walk to his car – I always worried about him walking the streets at night.'
John assured him it wasn't far, but he never reached his vehicle. He collapsed just yards away from where Gary's tour bus was parked. A passer-by called an ambulance, but it was too late to save him.
The thought that they may have driven away while John lay in a rainy street nearby will 'haunt me forever,' the grieving musician admitted.
Finding Strength to Continue
Despite his overwhelming grief, Gary Numan has decided to continue with his Telekon tour, following advice from his father and John's widow, who both believed it was what John would have wanted.
'I have no capacity at the moment to make decisions of any kind,' Gary confessed. 'I'm drifting, broken, shell shocked, just watching one foot fall in front of the other.'
He revealed that the tour has now transformed from a celebration of his album into a tribute to his brother John, whom he described as 'the best brother a man could ever have.' John was only 15 when Gary originally created the Telekon album, and he had always been immensely proud of his brother's musical achievements.
The musician's emotional turmoil became public during his Birmingham performance on Saturday evening, when he broke down mid-song, prompting his wife to comfort him on stage in a moment that concerned fans worldwide.
