Slipknot’s founding drummer Joey Jordison has died at 46

Joey Jordison, who was a founding member of Slipknot, has died aged 46.

A rep for his family said (via Rolling Stone) that he died peacefully in his sleep on Monday (July 26). A cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

“Joey’s death has left us with empty hearts and feelings of indescribable sorrow,” a statement from Jordison’s family read. “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 intends to hold a private funeral service.

Jordison was the drummer for Slipknot from their original formation – when they called themselves the Pale Ones and later Meld, before Jordison suggested they change their name to Slipknot in 1995 – until his departure from the band in December 2013. That same year, he formed heavy metal band Scar The Martyr, which he was the drummer for until they disbanded in 2016.

Joey Jordison performs with Slipknot at London’s Hammersmith Apollo in 2008. CREDIT: Naki/Redferns

A few years after leaving Slipknot, he revealed that the reason he exited the band was a neurological disease. “I got really, really sick with a horrible disease called transverse myelitis, I lost my legs,” he told the audience at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in 2016.

“I couldn’t play anymore. It was a form of multiple sclerosis, which I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. I got myself back up, and I got myself in the gym and I got myself back in fucking therapy, to fucking beat this shit.”

Jordison announced in 2016 that he had launched a new band called Vimic. At the time of his death, he was playing as part of extreme metal band Sinsaenum.

Jordison also played guitar in the glam horror-punk group the Murderdolls. While touring Ozzfest in 2001 in support of Slipknot’s second album, ‘Iowa’, Jordison met Tripp Eisen, then of Static-X; the two discussed forming a side project. A year later, Jordison revived his band The Rejects, renaming them the Murderdolls; he added Wednesday 13 of Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13, Ben Graves and Eric Griffin.

The band put out two albums, ‘Beyond The Valley Of The Murderdolls’ (2002) and ‘Women And Children Last’ (2010), before Wednesday 13 confirmed in 2013 that Murderdolls had split up in 2011.

“I’ll never forget you. You changed my life forever,” Wednesday 13 tweeted in tribute to Jordison, also sharing a picture of the pair together.

R.I.P. Joey Jordison

I’ll never forget you. You changed my life forever. ❤️???????? pic.twitter.com/R0OetL1JpJ

— Wednesday 13 (@officialwed13) July 27, 2021

Hundreds of other tributes have begun to pour in for the musician, including from Trivium drummer, Alex Bent. “I don’t have words, to call him an inspiration would be an understatement,” he wrote on Twitter. “Countless hours studying every move behind the kit . I owe so much to Joey Jordison and could never imagine being where I am today without his influence.”

Skin of Skunk Anansie wrote: “RIP @thejoeyjordison One of the most ferocious and entertaining bands we ever played with. What a drummer! Rock has lost another legend.”

“Shit. RIP to the brother Joey Jordison. Love you brother,” a message on Papa Roach‘s official Twitter read, while Frank Turner tweeted: “Very sad to hear about Joey Jordison. Never crossed paths but he was an incredible musician. 46 is no age. RIP.”

Metallica shared a picture of James Hetfield playing alongside Jordison, with the caption: “R.I.P. brother…”

You can see more tributes to the Jordison below:

I don’t have words, to call him an inspiration would be an understatement. Countless hours studying every move behind the kit . I owe so much to Joey Jordison and could never imagine being where I am today without his influence. RIP pic.twitter.com/BAnLHW9Re2

— Alex Bent (@AlexBentDrums) July 27, 2021

RIP @thejoeyjordison One of the most ferocious and entertaining bands we ever played with. What a drummer! Rock has lost another legend ???? #joeyjordison #slipknot https://t.co/CfQy6Pjn5T

— skin (skunk anansie) (@skinskinny) July 27, 2021

Shit. RIP to the brother Joey Jordison. Love you brother.

— Papa Roach (@paparoach) July 27, 2021

Very sad to hear about Joey Jordison. Never crossed paths but he was an incredible musician. 46 is no age. RIP.

— Frank Turner (@frankturner) July 27, 2021

R.I.P. brother…

Posted by Metallica on Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Goodbye, legend.#joeyjordison pic.twitter.com/VQhkC1sKpC

— Fleshgod Apocalypse (@FApocalypse) July 27, 2021

Rest in Peace to Joey Jordison. The world lost another incredibly talent musician.

— Herman Li (@HermanLi) July 27, 2021

aw man, rip joey jordison ???? such a huge inspiration

— easy life (@easylife) July 27, 2021

Today, ProMark mourns the loss of drumming icon Joey Jordison. Joey’s influence on a generation of metal drummers is incalculable, and his style behind the kit will be admired and emulated for years to come. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and many dedicated fans. pic.twitter.com/RXBSHP5eoJ

— ProMark Drumsticks (@promarksticks) July 27, 2021

Rest in power Joey Jordison, one of my first inspirations to ever play drums. The first time I heard a blast beat. First time I heard loud up front double kick drums. Slipknot had such a powerful influence on my path in life. Fuck man pic.twitter.com/XYh8LvQjmB

— Cody Stewart (@TheCodyStewart) July 27, 2021

Rest In Peace Joey Jordison. You changed the game with Slipknot. Brought the blast beat to the mainstream! Gave kids a groove like no other. Perseverance would’ve never happened had it not been for Joey & the Slipknot camp. Condolences to his family, friends & fans. Gone too soon

— Jamey Jasta (@jameyjasta) July 27, 2021

RIP to one of my childhood heroes. This one hurts. My heart goes out to his friends and family. Long live #joeyjordison pic.twitter.com/5E5sL7gmaP

— Jake Something (@JakeSomething_) July 27, 2021

RIP JOEY JORDISON WTFFFFFFF !!!!

FAV DRUMMER GROWING UP FUCKING LEGEND THIS SUCKS FUCK

— nedarb (@nedarbnagrom) July 27, 2021

Absolutely shocked & gutted to hear of the passing of @joeyjordison. In addition to being an incredible drummer, he was always a classy guy. When he heard how much of a fan @MaxPortnoy_ was, he sent to the house a giant box filled with @slipknot swag: shirts, hoodies, backpacks… pic.twitter.com/Ga3xtZk8ec

— Mike Portnoy ???? (@MikePortnoy) July 27, 2021

RIP Joey Jordison pic.twitter.com/CsNRjeaYqF

— Twitching Tongues (@twtchngtongues) July 27, 2021

RIP Joey Jordison. Godspeed sir.

— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) July 27, 2021

rest in peace joey jordison ????

— Vinny Mauro (@chenzomauro) July 27, 2021

I am shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Joey Jordison. An incredible musician and songwriter, gone way too soon.
My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who he touched with his talent. RIP Joey

???? – Jesse Wild / Rhythm Magazine pic.twitter.com/a8UBwhTyeZ

— Dave Lombardo (@TheDaveLombardo) July 27, 2021

You can view the original article HERE.