Slipknot founding drummerJoey Jordison has died at the age of 46. According to a statement issued by his family, Jordison “passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 26th, 2021.” A cause of death has not been revealed.
“Joey’s death has left us with empty hearts and feelings of indescribable sorrow,” his family’s statement reads. “To those that knew Joey, understood his quick wit, his gentle personality, giant heart, and his love for all things family and music. The family of Joey have asked that friends, fans, and media understandably respect our need for privacy and peace at this incredibly difficult time. The family will hold a private funeral service and asks the media and public to respect their wishes.”
Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Jordison came up in the local heavy metal scene and in 1995 joined Slipknot, then called the Pale Ones, with percussionist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray. Known for his high-speed drumming and dynamic performance style, Jordison was the band’s primary percussionist and played on the band’s first release, 1996’s Mate. Kill. Feed. Repeat., through their fourth LP, 2008’s All Hope Is Gone. He was also a key songwriter in the group, having co-written some of Slipknot’s best-known songs.
In 2013, Slipknot announced they were parting ways with Jordison, who said he was “shocked and blindsided” by the decision. A few years later, he revealed he had been fighting a neurological disorder called transverse myelitis since 2010, which affected his ability to play drums. “It was a form of multiple sclerosis, which I don’t wish on my worst enemy,” he said. “I got myself back up, and I got myself in the gym, and I got myself back in therapy to beat this… If I can do it, you can do it. To people with multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis or anything like that, I’m living proof that you can beat that shit.”
Following his dismissal from Slipknot, Jordison went on to form the bands Scar The Martyr, Vimic, and Sinsaenum, and continued playing in Murderdolls, a revival of his pre-Slipknot band the Rejects.
