RIP To Slipknot Founding Member Joey Jordison

Photoshot. Getty Images.

Rolling Stone- Joey Jordison, Slipknot’s founding drummer and co-writer of many of their biggest hits, died on Monday at the age of 46. A rep for his family said he died peacefully in his sleep but did not specify a cause of death.

“Joey’s death has left us with empty hearts and feelings of indescribable sorrow,” reads a statement from Jordison’s family. “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.

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Super unfortunate news here for any Metalheads out there, as Joey Jordison (the O.G. Slipknot drummer) has sadly passed away at the age of 46. Jordison's family said he passed peacefully in his sleep but did not state a cause of death.

I don't want to speculate too much on how he died, but I do know he endured some rough health issues in his life and at one point suffered from a rare neurological disease called transverse myelitis, which caused him to lose function of his limbs for months on end, so I really just hope it wasn't too painful for him.

Joey was one of the first drummers who truly stood out among the rest to me - I mean, look at him, how could he not??? - and when I was 6-7 years old, he was probably be on the shortlist of drummers I knew (along with Tommy Lee, Peter Criss, Eric Carr, and Travis Barker). 

I discussed his style a bit with my brother on an old episode of My Mom's Basement, and how insane the volume and energy he brought behind the kit was….

….and even if you're not into this style of music, you have to realize how much stamina and talent it takes to do that for a couple hours every night in a different city.

Jordison's legendary metal grooves landed him fill-in gigs with artists like Metallica/Rob Zombie throughout his career, and he must've inspired thousands of current drummers along the way, without exaggeration. Absolute legend gone far too soon.

Condolences to Joey's family, friends, bandmates, and fans.