Primus guitarist Ler LaLonde is among the latest to have his home destroyed in the devastating wildfires across Los Angeles.
Last week, LA began experiencing five concurrent wildfires in several neighbourhoods, leading to the evacuation of over 180,000 residents. In the latest figures shared by CNN and Associated Press, 24 deaths have been confirmed, while 16 people remain missing.
Now, it has been confirmed that around 12,000 structures have been decimated by the fires, including the home of Primus guitarist Larry ‘Ler’ LaLonde.
The news was shared by the band’s frontman Les Claypool, who took to social media to share the extent of the damages to his bandmate’s Los Angeles home. “All that is left of our good friend Ler Lalonde’s home,” he wrote in the caption, sharing images of the ruins. “When Mother Nature gets up on her hind legs, it can be brutal. My heart hurts for him and his family.”
LaLonde’s wife, Shane, also shared an update on her own post. “Our home is gone, and so are the homes of every one of our friends and neighbours. I am still in shock, not quite sure what just happened,” she wrote. “I’m not sure what happens now. But I am realising hour by hour all that was lost.”
Many other stars have also been affected by the wildfires, with Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith confirming that his home in Malibu had been destroyed. Last week, Paris Hilton opened up about watching her home burn down on television, while James Woods, Billy Crystal, Cary Elwes and Mark Hamill are among the other high-profile names to have been badly affected.
Heroes actor Milo Ventimiglia choked up during a live interview while discussing watching his own house burn down, while a fundraiser for DIIV frontman Zachary Cole Smith was launched after his house succumbed to the fires. Mel Gibson‘s house was another one to be destroyed, with the actor revealing that it burned down while he was recording his appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
As well as homes and personal belongings, many music recording spaces have been destroyed by the fires too, including Bob Clearmountain’s legendary Mix This! recording studio. Since the news was shared, a benefit concert for the victims has been announced, dubbed FireAid and taking place at LA’s Intuit Dome on January 30.
Countless charity efforts have also been made to help those affected by the wildfires, including Beyoncé‘s foundation donating $2.5million to relief efforts and Paris Hilton donating $100,000 and launching a fund to help displaced families.
Jamie Lee Curtis has donated $1million to relief efforts, after talks with California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Charli XCX urged brands who send her clothing to instead donate it to those affected by the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires.
Earlier this morning it was also reported that Guitar Center announced a new programme that will help musicians affected by replacing their instruments or gear.
Read the original article here