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Slipknot Bassist Paul Gray Found Dead At The Age Of 38

Band Photo: Slipknot (?)
According to MSNBC, Slipknot bassist and co-founding member Paul Gray was found dead this morning at 10:55. Police say a hotel employee found the 38-year-old Gray dead in a room Monday at the Town Plaza Hotel in Urbandale, a suburb of Des Moines. Foul play isn't suspected and an autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow.
Paul Gray was born in the city of Los Angeles, California but his family would later relocate to Des Moines, Iowa. He began his music career as a member of such bands as Anal Blast and Vexx, amongst others.
He was one of only three founding members of Slipknot to remain in the recent lineup of the band, along with percussionist Shawn Crahan and drummer Joey Jordison. The news of his death is made all the more tragic by the fact that he was expecting his first child this year with his wife Brenna.
Read the full article at MSNBC.
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178 Comments on "Slipknot Bassist Found Dead"





16. writes:
Damn thats f***ed up. Even though when I tried to meet him last year, he was being a d***. Still, I don't wish death upon anybody (except William Grim and Nathan Gale's mother). Why are so many metal bassists dying. Dude from Evile, dude from 3 Inches of Blood, Peter Steele, and now Paul Gray. R.I.P. Paul




25. writes:
Damn. This just doesn't stop...
I knew the guy had addiction issues but 38 is absurd. Hell it may have been natural causes, I'm long-jumping to conclusions... I was never a "maggot" myself but I have to admit to getting into their first two Roadrunner albums back in the day, still in my teens...Wow...
R.I.P. Mr. Gray, you helped bring many fans to the metal fold.

29. writes:
This is incredibly depressing... I thought my friend was just messing with me he told that. He was an incredible bassist contrary to popular belief. He is not given enough credit. If you people doubt that he is a good bassist listen to mfkr. Wasnt given much opportunity. God, r.i.p. Paul Gray...
32. writes:
Post 27: No-one said he wasn't a good bassist, he certainly was, but what post 17 was getting at was that often when a musician dies, especially one from a popular band, fans are quick to label them as the best in their field. A perfect example was the drummer from Avenged Sevenfold.


36. writes:
f***! I don't like Slipknot at all but, sh**, why does everyone keep dying in the metal community...I think I may have to stop my Black Metal project so I don't die soon haha.
Its religious fact now that God hates metal and its the Devil's music, eh?
Good point BG1...well put Peter....



54. writes:
Haha, if Simmons goes I might actually laugh. But seriously, what the hell? And like bg1 said, I checked BBC's feed and they're actually announcing this. Nobody in the mainstream media cares about metal unless somebody has died, the f***ing parasites. For instance, check this week's issue of Time: all they have in the obituaries for Dio is this crappy little sliver of text from Jack Black, of all people. Nobody gives a f*** about metal except the metal heads, unless somebody exploitable has died, then the media and the f***ing WBC are all over it, which for me brings to mind the lyrics, "Don't belong! Don't exist!"
RIP Paul Gray

55. writes:
Ok im getting p***ed off right theres no official news about this on the roadrunner site and the slipknot site, this news is Everywhere. I think its time for the people who run the roadrunner site and slipknot site to get off their lazy fat asses and write a statement about this Unfortunate death of Paul Gray.
56. writes:
fvcking anon @42 et 44, get it fvckin strait sh!t mouth
branded doesn't TRY anything....he just DOES IT---now fvck off
its really too bad for the bass dude's wifey with child....rough fvckin deal for that poor gal----but if dude was really an addict like somebody said...kid will be better off

66. writes:




75. writes:
Maybe we can get one more album from slipknot, you know like a tribute to paul, kinda like A7X is doing for Rev. (new song isnt too bad) But Paul was one of the founders, so they might not be able to do it. Im curious what will happen to the band. Cant wait for autopsy results and the band statement
76. writes:
goddamn! i'm quite sorry @ 61...but i have a pretty serious case of beer induced dyslexia, and i thought fer a minute that your name read 'wigged bandana'....
figured ol' bretty boy himself had dropped by....or another dude had copped that chunder style ;)
apologies!





87. writes:
well branded, you have to admit though, the heretic anthem is a killer song. Why don't you like that song? Also, slipknot is a gateway band that usually will lead to better bands; at least that is what happened to me. Branded, just listen to The Heretic anthem once and tell me your thoughts on it. But don' just say they suck. tell me what is wrong with that song!



95. writes:
I know everyone has their opinions on metal here. I personally am a Maggot. I love Slipknot. Their music helped me through some very dark and very low times in my life. Paul was an instrument in bringing me out of that rut in my life. I will truly miss him as a bassist and a member of the Slipknot family and a fellow Maggot. My deepest sympathies to the Grey family and the extended Slipknot family. He will be greatly missed. \m/

96. writes:
Wow, lots of good and/or popular bands getting the death pill lately... Avenged Sevenfold, Type O Negative, Heaven & Hell, Colosseum, Slipknot, probably a bunch of others that didn't get so much media attention. Never mind that he was just the bass player, as far as I know he was one of the principal song writers in the band, so it'll be hard for them to continue the band without their style changing a lot. Might turn out cool that though, who knows. For some reason this is the one of the aforementioned bands that affected me the most, as Slipknot was what got me into harder metal. If it wasn't for them I might still have been the world's biggest Metallica fan :|
98. writes:
f*** Off Thrashattheheart! Your lack of compassion to human life sickens me for one thing, but Paul Gray is one of the best bassists in metal today! I signed up as a member to this site just now so I can personally tell you to f*** off you prick!
Aside from that, I am saddened by Paul's passing, and I hope for all the best to his family and loved ones and to the band.
99. writes:
I've moved on from Slipknot, but this is the band that kindled my love of metal (as opposed to the variations on hard-core punk I'd been listening to in the past). I was also lucky enough to see them, and they put on a helluva show.
Regardless of your opinions of Slipknot, I think one or two of you posters should pull your heads in and acknowledge this for what it is: the death of another member of our community. One death is one too many.
\m/ RIP \m/

106. writes:
My 10 year old boy will be crushed!!! In fact I'm kind of in shock................ It was Slipknot that really brought us together (I myself listen to a lot of oldy metal and metalpunk) when he discovered the 1st album in my collection......... he's raged on them ever since. And I always approved because A) Metal is Metal, B) there's a lot of other kak out there that I'm glad he doesn't listen to, and B) despite what I may think about negative trends in modern metal, Slipknot were a f***ing good band!... Quote me on that. Wow.......... Don't know how I'm gonna tell him.... R.I.P Paul..... It was too soon.

109. writes:
Gosh I didn't realise they were expecting... That's terrible. What will Slipknot do without him... I thought they said that there would only ever be nine of them. A terrible loss to the metal community.
And ThrashattheHeart: Have a little respect. If you're not concerned by this, don't comment.


112. writes:
Whoa. Can't believe it. Past two months, have not been the greatest for Metal. Despised Icon, We Were Gentlemen, and Fellsilent all broke up. Ronnie James Dio passes, Paul Gray passes. Type-O-Negative's Vocalist passes, and things look bad for Brett Michaels. Wow. Also, Jesper left In Flames! What's going on?!


118. writes:
ive been a maggot for a long time, this is huge. i cant believe it. it really sucks. i was devastated when i heard the news. Paul will be missed...a lot...
family and friends and fellow maggots, best wishes. this is bleak and depressing, but things will get better.
WE LOVE YOU PAUL ... REST IN PEACE


121. writes:
Still to this date after about 110 shows attended lifetime (last 11 years) best live band, and best live show was slipknot. 99 tatoo the earth 01 ozzfest and pledge of allegance tours were the best live sets from any band i v e ever seen. I ll never forget when SK was one of the greatest things going, some one mentioned heretic anthem, how about people = sh!t? Which is still true to this day more than ever, cause people are so fahqed up and selfcentered. Surfacing, siccccc!!!! also great songs as well...RM mentioned and its true, he had an addiction as well as being a raging alcoholic, and had weight issues, so in a way this isnt surprising.
Its unfortunate that this happend, and i hope his family gets through this, but people gotta realize this, life goes by in a flash, if you live reckless, especially with your health and dont take the necessary precautions, youll be here one day and gone tommorow and paul was not a picture of good, or even decent health...
As for SK? Who knows, they arent the band they were once so for me this is just the nail in the coffin...so long paul, and thanks for those awesome shows \m/....


124. writes:
RIP Paul...your the reason i started playing bass...slipknot is what got me into heavy music...even tho im more a death metal guy now, Slipknot has always been my favorite band...and even if you dont like Slipknot, show sum god damn respect for a fallen brother in the metal community...we need to stick together more than ever
125. writes:
Even though I'm not that big into Slipknot anymore, like a lot of readers here, they were one of those "gateway bands" for me. It's too bad for his wife, though, my sympathies for her and his unborn child.
Unfortunately, though, I'm almost positive his death was a result of a drug overdose. He was a cool guy, but he was way too into cocaine; he even got arrested for possession a year or so ago. It's too bad people get into that stuff, because it always messes you up in one way or another.
That being said, though, we'll miss you Paul. R.I.P.



130. writes:
RTB- got to agree with you man, definitely one of the best live shows I've ever seen. Probably the best show none of us will get to see again. If this turns out to be drug related and he basically ended up killing himself, I'm going to be p***ed that he threw everything they've worked for away, not to mention essentially betraying their legions of fans and giving up the opportunity that thousands of people bust their asses every day trying to achieve but never will. Another stupid tragedy.


132. writes:
What a shock. A friend at work told me the news today and i thought he was bullsh**ting me. I hate he has passed away but i hope like hell this was not drug related because 9 time out of ten when a metal musician dies the first f***ing thing you hear is it was drugs and then everyone looks for some lame a$$ excuse to give metal musicans and the metel music we love a bad rap. But anyways R.I.P. you will be missed and I for one hopes that slipknot can carry on i just wonder if they will.
138. writes:
139. writes:
i just canNOT believe this!! slipknot was the weed (my gateway) to the metal that i like today as well. i'm just in complete shock and awe. he was one of the most wholesome ones of slipknot. this has truly been NOT only a phockin' terrible month, but a horrible yr for metal thus far. i will be listening to my old slipknot albums (s/t and iowa).
IF YOU'RE 555, THEN I'M 666 \m/
140. writes:
Currently watching "Voliminal" DVD...I so regret not getting the chance to see them live. I am just stunned and bummed the f*ck out over this. I almost feel like I've lost a buddy, the 'knot has been so much to me. It's one thing to be into a band, but to identify with alot of the things being said is a special thing. I hope this is not the end of The Maggot Kings.......RIP Paul.....

141. writes:
best visually live band ever seen,had the pleasure three times during oz big day out tour when to me they where in there prime,fanatical crowds(broke the support barrier brisbane sideshow)just a musical horror show on stage, never see there like again, to a generation of 12 to 14 yrs they where the "manson" or "nirvana" of there time,a quick release from alienation and pain,quite sad there time has come ,is this the ....end RIP


145. writes:
I really liked the video interview of Paul that's linked with this article...at the end especially.
"We've always stayed true, and by stayed true I mean we've always done what we wanted to do..you know people might say this or that..maybe we write a song with melody or...change tha masks...or no masks...whatever you know. We are staying true to what we want to do and that's how we started this band...stay true to what we wanted to do and f*** everybody elses opinion. You either love it or hate it and we don't give a flying f***."
148. writes:
Paul you were a great man and without Slipknot I would have never liked metal, without Slipknot I wouldn't be where I am today as a musician and a person. Paul you influence my bass playing style and your loss strikes me almost as losing family.
Love from all your maggots in Canada, we are eternally loyal.

152. writes:
What a year so far...
I never was a Slipknot fan but this is still sad news. Especially someone dying at the age of 38.
What's odd is as soon as a band is on "hiatus" or their activities are somewhat unknown to the public, for some reason the band members start dying. Strange.

155. writes:
why couldn't it have been ozzy or megaDave?? u know, someone that's alrdy lived their life as legend or w/e. paul gray's wife was pregnant w/ their first child (a girl) and he was only 38 yr.'s old. ozzy's like as old as metal. this world's a little less bright w/o him and i bet he's in heaven right now drinking and kicking back w/ Dio, the Rev, steele and dimebag (and whoever else i forgot about).
R.I.P. Raul "The Pig" Gray \m/

157. writes:

160. writes:
Deepest heartfelt condolences to the members of SLIPKNOT and Brenna GRAY for the tragic lost of her husband and Co-founding/Bassist PAUL GRAY of SLIPKNOT fame. I know there's alot of pressures confronting each & every one of us daily but Thirty-eight yrs old is heck of young...'my Heart goes out to Paul Gray and what ever troubles he was going through and his Family/Bandmates may their hearts heal with time. So, sad.



164. writes:
Why must the majority of people posting here feel the need to write "oh im not a fan but..."
Jeez, just say you're sorry and leave the "buts" for an article about something other than death, damn it. It's like you're tying to justify your reasons for feeling upset or even listening to their music? Wtf.
This is a horrible loss, =(
R.I.P

178. writes:
first off, im not on here to debate the validity of slipknot in general. im over that one :)
slipknot does have a special place in my life, thus im quite upset that i never got a chance to see the band live as a whole. on a different note, METAL IS BEING ATTACKED!!!!!!
all these deaths????????? whats goin on?
Blindgreed: its been awhile, whats new man? make it to maynards wine signing?
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1. br00t4l writes:
noooooo