Music icon Gary Numan has publicly praised his daughter, Raven, for displaying remarkable strength during her first-ever tour, an experience he describes as 'almost impossible' given the family's recent tragic loss.
A Father's Heartfelt Tribute Amid Grief
The 67-year-old singer took to Instagram to share a moving post alongside a backstage photo, expressing immense pride in his 22-year-old daughter. This comes in the wake of the sudden death of Numan's younger brother, John, aged 60, last month. John collapsed from a heart attack moments after saying goodbye to Gary, a loss the musician said 'will haunt me forever.'
Numan confessed that amidst his own shock and grief, Raven's achievements on the road had been somewhat overshadowed. He detailed the challenging reality of her tour experience, far from luxurious. 'She’s traveling in a van with her band, staying in (mostly) low end motels every night, long drives each day. Doing it for real,' he wrote.
Rising to an 'Impossible' Challenge
Numan explained that on top of the normal pressures of being a new support act, Raven has also had to cope with the loss of her uncle and witness her father's nightly struggle on stage. 'This tour has obviously proven to be far, far harder for me than I could possibly have imagined. But, for a first tour, for Raven, it must be almost impossible,' he stated.
He admitted his daughter had exceeded all his expectations. 'And yet she has risen to it in a way that... I didn’t think she was capable of. She has been remarkable, both on stage and off.' The proud father, who shares Raven with his wife Gemma, marvelled at her being a 'tower of strength' to him while quietly managing her own pain and delivering flawless performances.
Reflecting on his own youth, Numan added, 'When I think back to me at her age... I had none of the strength and resilience she has shown these last few weeks.'
Compassion Under Pressure
Numan also highlighted a specific incident that demonstrated Raven's character. During her set in Manchester, she noticed an audience member in distress, stopped her performance, and guided venue staff to help the individual. 'It was a difficult situation well handled. Again, so proud of her,' he said.
Concluding his emotional tribute, Gary Numan wrote, 'Most nights, before I shed a tear or two of sadness for my brother, I’ve already shed a tear or two of pride watching Raven. And so the world keeps turning.'
The electro-pop pioneer had previously broken down on stage in Birmingham last month after receiving the devastating news about his brother, with his wife Gemma rushing to comfort him. He has since decided to continue the tour as a tribute to John, who he called 'the best brother a man could ever have.'
