Joey Jordison, the founding drummer of the iconic heavy metal band Slipknot, passed away on July 26, 2021, at the age of 46. His death shocked and saddened the music world, as well as his millions of fans. His family did not reveal his cause of death but said he died peacefully in his sleep.
Jordison had been suffering from a rare neurological disorder called transverse myelitis for a long time, which affected his ability to play drums and eventually led to his departure from Slipknot in 2013. In this article, we will look back at his life, career, and legacy as one of the most influential and talented drummers in metal history.
What Was Joey Jordison Cause of Death?
Jordison, 46, passed away in his sleep on Monday night, the family said in a statement provided to Billboard. The statement said: “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.”
Rolling Stone shared a post on Instagram:
The cause of death was not made public. “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 message continues. The family requests that the public and media accept their decision to hold a private funeral service.
How Did Joey Jordison Start His Musical Career?
Jordison was born Nathan Jonas Jordison on April 26, 1975, in Des Moines, Iowa. He grew up in a musical family and started playing drums at the age of eight. He was influenced by bands like Kiss, Black Sabbath, Slayer, and Metallica. He joined several local bands in his teens, such as Modifidious and The Rejects.
In 1995, he co-founded Slipknot with percussionist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray. The band wore horror-style masks and jumpsuits and developed a unique style of aggressive and experimental metal. They released their self-titled debut album in 1999, which was a commercial and critical success. The album featured songs like “Wait and Bleed”, “Spit It Out”, and “Surfacing”, which showcased Jordison’s fast and powerful drumming skills.
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What Made Slipknot One of the Most Popular Metal Bands of the 2000s?
Slipknot went on to become one of the most popular and influential metal bands of the 2000s, selling millions of albums worldwide and winning a Grammy award in 2006 for their song “Before I Forget”. Jordison was also the co-songwriter and co-producer of many of their songs, as well as the band’s unofficial spokesperson.
He was known for his energetic and acrobatic live performances, often playing on a rotating drum kit or doing drum solos while upside down. He wore the number one on his mask and jumpsuit, symbolizing his role as the leader of the band. Some of their most famous albums include Iowa (2001), Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) (2004), and All Hope Is Gone (2008).
What Other Musical Projects Did Joey Jordison Work on?
Besides Slipknot, Jordison also formed and played in other metal bands, such as Murderdolls, Scar the Martyr, Vimic, and Sinsaenum. He also performed with other well-known acts like Metallica, Korn, Rob Zombie, Ministry, and Satyricon. He was widely respected and admired by his peers and fans for his versatility and creativity as a musician. He also received several awards and recognitions for his drumming skills, such as being ranked number one in Rhythm magazine’s poll of the 50 greatest drummers of all time in 2010.
How Did Transverse Myelitis Affect Joey Jordison’s Health and Career?
In 2010, Jordison started experiencing symptoms of transverse myelitis, a rare inflammatory disease that causes damage to the spinal cord. This resulted in weakness, numbness, and pain in his legs, affecting his ability to play drums. He was misdiagnosed for a long time and did not receive proper treatment until 2014.
He said that he had to relearn how to walk and play drums after undergoing intensive therapy. In 2013, he was fired from Slipknot via email, without any explanation from his bandmates. He later said that he felt betrayed and hurt by their decision and that they did not support him during his illness. He also denied the rumors that he had a drug problem or that he quit the band.
What Did Joey Jordison Do in His Final Years?
After leaving Slipknot, Jordison continued to pursue his musical career with other projects like Vimic and Sinsaenum. He also made several guest appearances with other bands like Megadeth, Anthrax, Deicide, Combichrist, and Dragonforce.
He seemed to have recovered from his condition and regained his passion for playing drums. In 2016, he received the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Award for best drummer and gave an emotional speech about his struggle with transverse myelitis. He thanked his fans for their support and said that he was not done yet.
How Will Joey Jordison Be Remembered by the Music World?
Jordison’s death was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from his family, friends, colleagues, and fans. Many praised him for his talent, innovation, dedication, and kindness as a person and a musician. His former bandmates from Slipknot also expressed their condolences by posting black images on their social media accounts. Jordison will be remembered as one of the greatest drummers of all time and a metal legend who inspired generations of musicians and fans. He will be dearly missed by many. Rest in peace, Joey Jordison.
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