Slipknot is a brotherhood. It's a chaotic, noisy, masked family that changed the face of heavy metal forever. But that masks-and-jumpsuits image comes with a heavy price. When people ask which member of Slipknot died, they aren't just looking for a name; they are looking for the story of how a band survives the unthinkable. It’s a group that’s been through the ringer. Twice.
They lost their heartbeat. Then they lost their foundation.
People often get confused because the band has had several lineup changes over the decades. Some guys left under bad terms. Others just moved on. But two specific deaths define the band’s darker history: bassist Paul Gray and drummer Joey Jordison. Honestly, losing them didn't just change the sound of the band; it ripped out the soul of the "Iowa" era that most fans grew up worshiping.
The Tragic Loss of Paul Gray (Number 2)
Paul Gray was more than just the guy in the pig mask. He was a primary songwriter. He was the "glue." On May 24, 2010, the news broke that Paul was found dead in a hotel room in Johnston, Iowa. He was only 38. For a band that built its brand on aggression and "us against the world," this was the first time the world actually won.
The autopsy later revealed that Paul died of an accidental overdose of morphine and fentanyl. It also showed he had significant heart disease. It was messy. It was public. And for the remaining eight members, it was devastating.
You've probably seen the footage of the unmasked press conference they held the day after. It's one of the rawest moments in rock history. There was no "rock star" ego there. Just a bunch of guys in hoodies looking completely broken. Sid Wilson was sobbing. Corey Taylor could barely speak. They lost their brother, and the metal community lost one of its most melodic architects.
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Why Paul’s Death Almost Ended the Band
After Paul died, there was a long silence. Fans thought Slipknot was finished. Honestly, the members thought so too. Corey Taylor has said in interviews that he didn't know if it made sense to continue without Paul's input. Paul wasn't just playing bass; he was balancing the madness of the other eight personalities.
When they finally returned with .5: The Gray Chapter in 2014, the title said it all. The entire album was a wake. It was a chaotic, grief-stricken tribute to Number 2. They kept his old jumpsuit on stage during shows. They didn't even officially name a replacement for a long time. Alessandro Venturella eventually took over the bass duties, but if you talk to any die-hard fan, they'll tell you the low end of the mix never felt quite the same.
Joey Jordison: The Ghost of the Foundation
The story of Joey Jordison is different, and in many ways, it's more complicated for fans to process. Joey was the engine. He was arguably the most famous drummer in the world during the early 2000s. But in 2013, Slipknot "parted ways" with him.
For years, it was cryptic. Joey said he didn't quit. The band said they had to move on. It eventually came out that Joey was suffering from transverse myelitis, a neurological condition that made him lose the use of his legs. Imagine being one of the fastest drummers on earth and your legs literally stop working.
Joey died on July 26, 2021, at the age of 46. His family stated he passed away peacefully in his sleep. Unlike Paul's death, which happened while he was an active member, Joey was on the outside when he passed. That adds a layer of "what if" that still haunts the fanbase.
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The Impact of Losing the Founding Duo
Joey and Paul were the ones who started this. Back in the mid-90s in Des Moines, they were the ones sitting in the Sinclair gas station or at Perkins, plotting how to make the most extreme band possible. When you realize that the two guys who basically "invented" the Slipknot blueprint are both gone, the current version of the band feels more like a legacy act than a continuation.
- Paul Gray: The emotional core and melodic songwriter.
- Joey Jordison: The technical mastermind and branding genius.
- The Legacy: A band that now focuses more on survival than rebellion.
It's weird. You watch them play now with Jay Weinberg (who was also recently replaced by Eloy Casagrande) and V-Man, and they are still great. They are professional. They are tight. But there is a specific, jagged energy that left when the original rhythm section passed away.
Other Misconceptions About Band Deaths
Sometimes you’ll see rumors floating around that other members have died. This usually stems from the fact that Slipknot has "retired" several masks.
When Chris Fehn (the long-nose mask) left the band after a massive lawsuit regarding finances, some casual observers thought he had died. He didn't. He's very much alive, just no longer in the circle. The same goes for Craig Jones, the "Spike" mask, who left the band quite suddenly in 2023. Slipknot is notorious for their "next man up" mentality. They replace members and keep the masks moving.
But you can't replace the history.
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How Slipknot Handles Grief Today
The band doesn't hide from it anymore. If you go to a show now, there are nods to Paul and Joey everywhere if you know where to look. They’ve turned the band into a tribute to the people who aren't there.
Corey Taylor’s lyrics have shifted from teenage angst to the literal reality of mortality. Songs like "Skeptic" were written specifically about Paul Gray. It’s a blunt, loud, angry way of saying "the world is worse without you." It’s not poetic. It’s Slipknot.
The reality of which member of Slipknot died is a heavy burden for the remaining "OG" members like Clown and Mick Thomson. They are the keepers of the flame now. Clown (Shawn Crahan) has often mentioned that the band will eventually end, but it has to end on their terms—partly to honor the guys who didn't get to see it through.
What You Should Do as a Fan
If you're diving into the history because you're curious about the losses, the best way to understand the impact is to go back to the source.
- Listen to 'Iowa' in full. Pay attention to the bass lines in "Gently" and the drumming in "Disasterpiece." That is the peak of the Gray/Jordison era.
- Watch the 'Nine: The Making of All Hope Is Gone' documentary. It shows the friction and the talent of the original nine before things started to fall apart.
- Support the charities. Many fans donate to organizations focused on addiction recovery and neurological health in honor of Paul and Joey.
The story of Slipknot is one of endurance. They are a band that should have collapsed a dozen times over. Losing a founding bassist and a legendary drummer would end most groups. But Slipknot uses that trauma as fuel. It's dark, it's messy, and it’s honestly pretty sad, but it’s the truth of what it means to be in that band. They aren't just wearing masks for the show; sometimes, it’s because the people underneath are dealing with more than the audience will ever know.
Moving Forward with the Music
The best way to respect the members who have passed is to stop looking at them as just "the guy who died." Paul Gray was a phenomenal musician who understood harmony better than most people give him credit for. Joey Jordison was a visionary who changed how people think about metal percussion.
Check out Joey’s work with Murderdolls or VIMIC to see his range. Look at Paul’s early work in the Des Moines scene. Their deaths are a part of the Slipknot story, but their lives are why the band exists in the first place. Stay informed by following official band updates on their "Knotfest" platform, which is where they usually drop the most authentic news regarding the band’s lineup and legacy tributes.