March 31, 2005 8:30

FINN BROTHERS HEAD HOME FOR PAL'S FUNERAL

Neil and Tim Finn head home to pay their respects to tragic former bandmate Paul Hester...

Following an emotional show at the LONDON ROYAL ALBERT HALL last night (March 30), NEIL and TIM FINN have postponed tour dates to return to Australia for the funeral of former Crowded House drummer PAUL HESTER.

As previously reported on NME.COM, Hester’s body was discovered hanging from a tree in Elsternwick Park, Melbourne on Saturday (March 26).

The drummer, 46, was last seen alive the previous evening when he took his dogs for a walk and friends say there had been no indication he was depressed.

The drummer was a founding member of Crowded House, starting the group with front man Neil Finn in 1985. Hester quit the band in 1994, but returned to play at their ‘Farewell To The World’ concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in 1996.

He had also joined the Finn Brothers onstage late last year, sparking rumours of a possible reunion tour.

All European dates for the Finn Brothers semi-acoustic tour from April 12–23 have been cancelled, while shows at the following venues have been rescheduled. All tickets for rescheduled shows remain valid.

Cologne Live Music Hall (April 7)
Brussels Cirque Royale (8)
Groningen Oosterport (10)
Portsmouth Guildhall (11)
Amsterdam Heineken Music Hall (moved from Utrecht) (13)
Cork Opera House (15)
Belfast Waterfront Hall (17)