Ex-Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison dead aged 46 as band pays tribute

Joey Jordison, one of the founding members of heavy metal band Slipknot, has died aged 46, as the band pays tribute to the popular drummer.

Former Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison has died aged 46.

The founding member of the popular US heavy metal band, who also played as a guitarist for horror punk band Murderdolls, “passed away peacefully in his sleep”, his family said in a statement.

“We are heartbroken to share the news that Joey Jordison, prolific drummer, musician and artist passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 26th, 2021,” a statement from Jordison’s family reads.

“Joey’s death has left us with empty hearts and feelings of indescribable sorrow. 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.”

Drummer Joey Jordison of heavy metal band Slipknot had died aged 46. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Tributes pour in

Despite reports of a years-long feud, Slipknot has paid tribute to Jordison on its social media pages today.

The band’s official Instagram and Facebook pages uploaded a black photo with no caption, while also changing its profile pictures to the same black photo, understood to be a symbol of solidarity after Jordison’s death.

Several members of the nine-piece band, including lead vocalist Corey Taylor and drummer Jay Weinberg, posted a blacked-out image.

Fans also posted photos of Jordison with former Slipknot founding member, Paul Gray, who died of a drug overdose in 2010.

The pair were known to be close friends.

they are together again. 🥺🖤

RIP Paul Gray and Joey Jordison. pic.twitter.com/Ypjk3AtivP

— gee ☁️ (@_itsgeorgina_) July 27, 2021

Paul Gray and Joey Jordison

Finally reunited 💔 pic.twitter.com/HSzhspN1uN

— Josh 🐝😼🌶🇨🇦HIVESZN (@Captn_Moose) July 27, 2021

Jordison’s feud with Slipknot

Jordison was one of the founding members of Slipknot, which pioneered the new wave of heavy metal bands in the US in the ‘90s.

In 2013, Slipknot announced through their official website that Jordison had left the band, citing personal reasons, but Jordison quickly claimed he was actually fired, releasing a statement at the time saying Slipknot “has been my life for the last 18 years, and I would never abandon it, or my fans”.

After three years of silence following his controversial departure, Jordison revealed in 2016 that he was let go from the band via email because they thought he was taking drugs.

However, Jordison said he had actually been suffering from transverse myelitis, a neurological disease that cost him the ability to play the drums, although he was unaware of the extent of his disease at the time of his sacking.

Speaking to Metal Hammer, Jordison said the way he was sacked was “cowardly”.

Members of the band Slipknot.

“No band meeting? None,” he said. ”Anything from management? No, nothing. All I got was a stupid f**king email saying I was out of the band that I busted my ass my whole life to f**king create.

“That’s exactly what happened and it was hurtful. I didn’t deserve that shit after what I’d done and everything I’d been through.

“They got confused about my health issues and obviously even I didn’t know what it was at first. They thought I was f**ked up on drugs, which I wasn’t at all.

“I’ve been through so many things with those guys and I love them very much. What’s hurtful is the way it went down was not f**king right. That’s all I want to say. The way they did it was f**king cowardly.”

Health battle

In 2018, Jordison talked in depth about suffering from the disease, saying symptoms had first started in 2010. He temporarily lost use of his legs and was unable to play the drums before rehabilitation.

However, he said he had recovered with the aid of medical help and intensive work in the gym.

Originally published as Ex-Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison dead aged 46 as band pays tribute