Bruce Springsteen on Liam Payne's death: 'It's a business that puts enormous pressure on young people'

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Bruce Springsteen has reflected on the shocking death of One Direction star Liam Payne, saying the music industry “puts enormous pressure on young people”.

Payne was just 31 years old when he fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, earlier this week.

In conversation with The TelegraphSpringsteen said that artists dying young was “not an uncommon thing in my business.”

The “Born to Run” singer-songwriter continued, “It’s a normal thing. It is a business that puts enormous pressure on young people.

“Young people do not yet have the inner strength or inner self to protect themselves from many of the things that come with success and fame. So they lose themselves in a lot of the difficult and often pain-inducing (things) … whether it's drugs or alcohol to relieve some of that pressure.”

Springsteen went on to say he has personally struggled with depression, adding: “I understand that very well. I mean, I had my own struggles with different things.”

In the interview, Springsteen manager Jon Landau addresses several famous musicians who died young, including Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. “And Kurt Cobain,” Springsteen says, “and people keep falling for it. It’s a death cult.”

He adds: “It’s a racket, man. That's a part of the story that captivates some young people, you know, but it's that old story. Dying young – good for the record company, but what’s in it for you?”

There has been great sadness since the news of Payne's death. His former One Direction bandmates said they were “devastated” by the singer's death, while Cheryl, the mother of Payne's 7-year-old son Bear, spoke of her own heartbreak at an “indescribably painful time.”

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One Direction was formed as part of a reality television competition The X Factor in 2010, with Payne alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson. The late singer was described as a “kind, funny and brave soul” in a tribute from his surviving bandmates.

Payne's cause of death was revealed in a preliminary autopsy on Thursday, October 17. The report said Payne suffered “internal and external” bleeding and multiple traumatic injuries. Officials said Payne's fall from the third floor balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel was the cause of his fatal injuries.

Stay tuned for updates and more tributes to Payne as they arrive here.