What's Going On? Is Live Over? Options

[Hoodstock]

If you missed it Ed went on Instagram basically stating that Live never was much of a band, that the reunion wasn't really a "reunion ", and that he's not in anyone's band.

Chad Gracey commented on this on Facebook:
"There is only one source of drama in LIVE. You guys figure it out. And obviously it’s not Ed."

Bill Hynes then replied to Chad "Chad Gracey and that person has small penis Napoleon narcissist syndrome." to which Chad liked with a laugh emoji.

Bill also said this on Facebook in the conversation:

"One thing is certain. Ed don’t need anyone. His talent and song writing ability is his. As it was seen before. He is irreplaceable. Others need him more than he needs them. When the band broke up the first time it was one person and only one persons fault and that person wasn’t Ed. It rhymes with Tad Chaylor."

and Bill in response to Ed's comments:

"That’s actually is NOT what he is saying. He’s saying he isn’t in someone’s band. He’s in HIS band. But someone has an ego and likes to tell everyone that he’s the band and it’s his band and take credit for songs that he didn’t write. So what ED is saying is that HE isn’t in someone else’s band."

There was also a comment about Chad being a successful insurance agent. Chad replied "I do insurance on the side with my partner George. Im also into a few other endeavors."

Quite a flurry of activity after little to no comments on the state of the band for a lengthy period of time.

[LiveFan92]

Not to get political, but a lot of that kind of stuff has been happening, especially in the last few years. I don't remember the exact story, but one of the members of Mumford & Sons got booted because he expressed a contrary opinion about something or whatever. It's getting a little too fucking 1984-ish lately, imo... but I'll leave it at that.

Not to get off topic for too long, but Winston Marshall wasn't kicked out of the band and he didn't leave because of one opinion. He left the band because his personal views, which were the extreme opposite of the other members, were becoming the focus of the coverage of the band. Instead of talking about the music, people were talking about his political views. He himself wrote:

"Emotions were high. Despite pressure to nix me they invited me to continue with the band. That took courage, particularly in the age of so called “cancel culture”... For me to speak about what I’ve learnt to be such a controversial issue will inevitably bring my bandmates more trouble. My love, loyalty and accountability to them cannot permit that. I could remain and continue to self-censor but it will erode my sense of integrity. Gnaw my conscience. I’ve already felt that beginning. The only way forward for me is to leave the band. I hope in distancing myself from them I am able to speak my mind without them suffering the consequences. I leave with love in my heart and I wish those three boys nothing but the best. I have no doubt that their stars will shine long into the future. I will continue my work with Hong Kong Link Up and I look forward to new creative projects as well as speaking and writing on a variety of issues, challenging as they may be.

So it was a choice he made while taking into consideration how his personal advocacy reflected on his band and his bandmates. He wanted to be able to speak freely and he didn't want his POV to be the focus on everything that was written about the band.

Anyway, just wanted to clarify that a bit because everyone was in a tough situation and I think he did the right thing for himself and for the band he loved.