Ongoing History Daily: Why is that Sum 41 album called “Chuck?” Glad you asked.

March 10, 2023 Alan Cross 0 Comments 0 min read

Other Sum 41 albums had titles like Does This Look Infected and All Killer No Filler. So what’s the deal with calling an album Chuck? I’m glad you asked because there’s a very good story behind this.

Back in May 2004, Sum 41 went to the Congo as part of a project for the War Child Charity. While they were there, a cease-fire broke down and there was gunfire and rockets and mortars and grenades going off all over the place, forcing the band to hide in the bathroom of their hotel. It was genuinely dire. But thanks to a UN representative named Chuck Pelletier, the band was evacuated and flown to safety.

During the ordeal, the band promised Chuck if he got them out of the Congo alive, they’d name their new album after him. And that’s exactly what happened.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39954 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross