RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesWhile making the rounds to talk up his upcoming Hulu documentary Travis Barker: Louder Than Fear , Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has had to talk about, and repeatedly revisit, what is inarguably the worst day of his life.
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In a testament to the hard healing work he’s done in the years since a 2008 private plane crash that took the lives of two of his closest friends, as well as the pilot and co-pilot, Barker is now able to speak about that awful day with a calm clarity, even if the memories clearly remain painful to conjure.
“I had survivor’s guilt, I hit rock bottom and I was having really dark thoughts,” Barker, 50, tells ABC News’ Chris Connelly in an exclusive Billboard preview of a longer interview slated to air on Good Morning America Thursday (Aug. 13). “They immediately had a post-traumatic doctor that would sit with me every day.”
Connelly wondered what method best helped Barker deal with his trauma. “My post-traumatic doctor said, ‘From this point out it’s just spendin’ the rest of your life without any toxic energy, without any stress … stay home with your kids every day if you want.’”
The film chronicles the fiery accident that took place shortly after Barker wrapped a show with late best friend Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein in South Carolina on Sept. 19, 2008. The friends boarded a hastily ordered private jet that burst into flames and crashed on takeoff, leaving Barker and Goldstein as the only survivors. Killed in the accident were two of Barker’s closest friends, assistant Chris “Lil Chris” Baker and bodyguard Charles “Che” Still, as well as pilot Sarah Lemmon and co-pilot James Bland.
Both Barker and Goldstein were seriously injured, with Barker sustaining burns on 65% of his body, requiring 27 surgeries in the years since. Goldstein, who had openly struggled with substance use before the accident, was found dead a year later in his New York apartment from an apparent drug overdose.
The film, which debuts on Hulu on Sunday (Aug. 16) traces the arc of Barker’s career before Blink and his adventures with the band — as well as the lead-up and aftermath of the crash. It includes appearances from the Roots drummer Questlove, late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, Rancid singer/guitarist Tim Armstrong, Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee and longtime Blink-182 bandmates bassist/singer Mark Hoppus and guitarist/singer Tom DeLonge.
More of Connelly’s interview with Barker will air on Thursday (Aug. 13) on Good Morning America (7–9 a.m. EDT).
Watch a preview of the GMA interview below.
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