Awkward moment Leigh Sales is forced to apologise to Nick Cave for overstepping the mark – as emotional music legend opens up on losing his two sons

Awkward moment Leigh Sales is forced to apologise to Nick Cave for overstepping the mark - as emotional music legend opens up on losing his two sons

As a dedicated fan with an eye for life experiences, I must say Leigh Sales and Nick Cave have my deepest respect and admiration. The interview they conducted was not just a mere conversation but a profound exploration of loss, faith, and resilience.


Leigh Sales recently offered a somewhat uncomfortable apology to musician Nick Cave, following comments he made regarding his eldest son, two years after his passing.

An awkward turn of events transpired during a conversation between the seasoned ABC presenter and the 66-year-old rock icon, as they discussed their lives for an installment of Australian Story that aired on Monday evening.

In a conversation, Cave talked about the sorrow of losing his oldest son Jethro, aged 31, back in May 2022. He shared that it was on the exact anniversary of his death when the recording for this episode took place.

Jethro, a man dealing with schizophrenia and struggling with drug addiction, passed away in Melbourne just two days following his release from prison.

‘Today is the anniversary of Jethro’s death,’ Cave said. 

Sales immediately apologised over the unfortunate timing.  

‘I’m sorry that this interview has landed on the anniversary of your son’s death,’ Sales said. 

In simpler terms, Cave mentioned that the challenge he encounters during face-to-face chats is that the discussion often veers towards his children.

Awkward moment Leigh Sales is forced to apologise to Nick Cave for overstepping the mark - as emotional music legend opens up on losing his two sons

‘It’s odd that we’re jumping straight into this and I just… it’s not your fault,’ Cave replied. 

The Australian-born Bad Seeds frontman also lost another son, Arthur, who died in 2015. 

In my exploration of life’s more unconventional paths, I found myself embarking on an experience I had never encountered before – my initial journey with LSD. This took place just moments prior to a daring leap off a towering 60ft cliff near my residence in the vibrant city of Brighton, England.

Cave opened up about the sorrow of losing Arthur, as the father of four shared insights on how he coped with his grief.

‘I had an understanding of the process because I’d been through it already,’ Cave said. 

He mentioned, “There’s an overwhelming event that triggers a transformation within us, making us beings who learn to cope with loss.”

Despite the harrowing experiences, Cave managed to develop a unique perspective on life, allowing him to view the world in a fresh light.

In simpler terms, Cave stated that what was missing or empty was filled with multiple interpretations and meanings, almost like a vacuum being filled with rushing water.

Viewing the world from a fresh perspective and developing a greater sense of empathy for the human condition became possible for me.

Cave said it was a ‘counterfactual response’ that made him less embittered. 

Awkward moment Leigh Sales is forced to apologise to Nick Cave for overstepping the mark - as emotional music legend opens up on losing his two sons

‘It did the opposite… it made me much more connected to people in general,’ he said. 

In the course of my journey, I found myself returning to the Christian faith that I had nurtured in my youth. This was a natural progression, as I became increasingly captivated by my own talents and abilities.

As a child and throughout my life, I’ve maintained a spiritual disposition, yet I never felt the urge to practice religion…For approximately two decades, I struggled with addiction to substances.

After Arthur passed away, instead of harboring anger towards such matters or distancing myself from them, I’ve found myself gradually drawn toward a spiritual path.

‘I’ve found [that] extremely helpful and kind of widening thing that’s happened in my life’. 

Awkward moment Leigh Sales is forced to apologise to Nick Cave for overstepping the mark - as emotional music legend opens up on losing his two sons

In a surprising revelation, it was shared by Cave that despite his immersion in the fast-paced rock and roll lifestyle, he has managed to avoid battles with substance abuse such as drugs and alcohol.

‘I’m not tempted to return to that way of life,’ he said. 

Cave said the ‘art trounces everything’ no longer applies to him after the death of Arthur and Jethro. 

He realized the foolishness of it all and how self-indulgent the entire situation was, causing him to reevaluate his priorities. He expressed this by saying, “Things just didn’t seem right anymore.”

As a dad, a spouse, and simply a global citizen, these roles hold greater significance for me compared to identifying as an ‘artist’.

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2024-08-12 16:34

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