SPEED IT UP PLEASE
No word from Enuff Z’Nuff’s Vie after accusations of making meth
By Gerry Gittelson
Metal Sludge Editor at Large
LOS ANGELES — One day after a former roommate in Tennessee publicly accused talented but troubled former Enuff Z’Nuff singer Donnie Vie of attempting to manufacture methamphetamine, Vie has ignored several attempts to give his own side of the story.
An acquaintance with close ties said Vie claims to have read the damning Metal Sludge exclusive (HERE) and that the acquaintance had forwarded to Vie a contact number to respond to the accusations — but so far to no avail. Plus, Metal Sludge has reached out through Vie’s Facebook page private messaging, in addition to trying to reach Vie by cell (disconnected) and through his supposed girlfriend, Lisa Vie.
Meanwhile, Enuff Z’Nuff band leader Chip Z’Nuff, for decades Vie’s best friend in the world, said he has had a falling out with Vie — and that details of the story are probably true, though at this point there is no official source to the accusations, only the proclamations of Dirty Gunzz band members Michael Hurst and Chris Anderson, both of whom purportedly took Vie into their homes temporarily after Vie arrived by bus from Las Vegas.
Vie, who is 50 years old, is believed to still be residing in Tennessee, perhaps in Nashville.
“I’m sure it’s true,” Z’Nuff said. “(Meth) is what Donnie was into before, and as far as knowing how to make it, let’s just say he’s a very smart guy.”
Vie is no longer in Enuff Z’Nuff following the band’s 2013 early-summer tour in Europe that was not as successful as hoped, Z’Nuff said.
“The tour wasn’t that great,” Z’Nuff said. “After the tour, Donnie stayed in London with a friend, then I guess he went to Vegas and then Tennessee. I’ve texted him a few times — the last time on Father’s Day — and every time he has texted me back, it’s been weird stuff. Basically, he turned his back on me. We’ve been estranged for a while.”
Vie has a history of drug addiction and bad behavior, and Chip said he urged the singer to get help and to focus on his health, but Vie allegedly never followed through.
“He’s still my brother, and Donnie is a big part of our band’s legacy. The guy is a fantastic talent,” Z’Nuff said. “Had he been sober, Enuff Z’Nuff would have been a lot bigger. I gave him everything I’ve got, and I begged him to reconsider (trying to get sober), but he just couldn’t make it all the way to the fourth quarter, if you know what I mean.
“Right now, I just don’t know what to say. No words can express how I feel. It’s bittersweet, and I’m disappointed. But I do love him, and I want to see him get better. I’d love to have one more chance together.”
Anderson is the one who first said Vie was allegedly planning to manufacture meth in Anderson’s family home — including bringing in ingredients of liquid drano and batteries. On Monday, however, Anderson back-peddled after saying he had talked to Vie about the story.
“He’s really upset, and a lot of things were taken out of context,” Anderson said.
Hurst, who supposedly had originally invited Vie to come to Tennessee, said he hasn’t talked to Vie over the past two months.
“Chris has all the answers. You’re wasting your time talking about it to me,” Hurst said. “We were on good terms when he left, but I fucking doubt we’re on good terms anymore. Let’s just say I don’t expect Donnie Vie to call me to have lunch together.”
Vie and Z’Nuff co-founded Enuff Z’Nuff in 1984 in Chicago. Five years later, the band had a couple of MTV hits with “New Thing” and “Fly High Michelle” after recording an album for Atco Records. The followup album in 1991,“Strength,” was also well-received, prompting Rolling Stone to name Enuff Z’Nuff “hot band of the year,” but the group has been chasing its popularity ever since through consistent touring and album releases, as Vie has been in and out of the band several times.
Johnny Monaco is the current singer, and Enuff Z’Nuff has several festival concerts coming up, along with a new CD coming soon through Cleopatra, Z’Nuff said.
Gerry Gittelson can be reached at gspot@metalsludge.tv
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