Staind and SOiL drummer Jon Wysocki has died aged 53.
The founding member of the former ‘It’s Been Awhile’ group – who quit in 2011 and soon joined the latter band – reportedly passed away on Saturday (18.05.24), and is said to have battled liver problems, but no cause of death is known at this stage.
SOiL wrote on social media: “Today we lost one of the greats. Jon Wysocki was not only a great friend, a great drummer, but a great human being. It was an honor to have him in SOiL for the time we did. We had so many laughs, so many good times. You will be missed dearly. Until we meet again dear friend….. (sic)”
Nu-metal rockers Staind posted: “We first met Jon through mutual friends in 1994. We came together with Mike, Aaron, and Johnny April in 1995 and founded Staind. The 17 years that followed were some of the best memories of our times together.
“From practice in Ludlow, Mass to touring around the world, Jon was integral to who we were as a band. Our hearts go out to Jon’s family, and fans around the world who loved him.”
Despite the tensions that led to his departure, frontman Aaron Lewis had said he would have welcomed Jon back with open arms.
And in an emotional tribute following his passing, the 52-year-old singer admitted he was like a brother to him and his “heart is broken”.
He wrote: “I’m so sad. I lost my friend. A friend I loved like a brother… fought with like a brother… cared for like a brother… worried about like a brother… cried over like a brother… because he was my brother in arms. My journey would’ve been different without him.
“The battles we fought together. The battles we fought against each other. The battles we fought side by side alone with our own demons. The battles we won and the battles we lost. He was my friend. He was our brother. My heart is broken. My world has changed.
“I’ll see you on the other side my friend. My brother. Godspeed. My heart, my love, and my condolences go out to his family and loved ones. I’m so f***ing sad. He will be missed.”