BREAKING: Slipknot Parts Ways with Drummer Jay Weinberg After 10 Years
In a surprising announcement made today, legendary metal band Slipknot revealed that they have officially split with their longtime drummer, Jay Weinberg. The news came via a statement posted on the band’s social media platforms, expressing gratitude for Weinberg’s contributions over the past decade.
The statement read, “We would like to thank Jay Weinberg for his dedication and passion over the past ten years. No one can ever replace Joey Jordison’s original sound, style, or energy, but Jay honored Joey’s parts and contributed to the last three albums, and we, the band, and the fans appreciate it. But as ever, Slipknot is intent on evolving. The band has decided to make a creative decision and to part ways with Jay. We wish Jay all the best and are very excited for what the future holds.”
Weinberg’s last performance with Slipknot took place at the Hell & Heaven festival in Toluca, Mexico, on November 3. Fan-recorded footage of the concert has been circulating online, capturing the drummer’s final moments with the band.
Jay Weinberg, now 33 years old, first discovered Slipknot as a pre-teen thanks to his father Max, a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and the leader of the house band on Conan O’Brien’s talk show. Weinberg’s passion for the band led him to Los Angeles in 2013, where he auditioned as a replacement for departing drummer Joey Jordison.
Following the release of Slipknot’s 2014 album “.5: The Gray Chapter,” the band kept the identities of their new drummer and bassist under wraps. However, a former drum tech for Slipknot leaked a backstage call sheet on Instagram, revealing Weinberg and bassist Alessandro “Vman” Venturella as the secret members.
Slipknot announced Joey Jordison’s departure in December 2013, but the reasons were never disclosed. Jordison later released a statement stating that he did not quit the group. Tragically, Jordison passed away in July 2021 at the age of 46.
In a 2016 interview, Jay Weinberg discussed the balance of respecting Joey’s legacy while also making Slipknot’s music his own. He said, “Having a massive respect for the band’s music, having a massive respect for Joey Jordison as a person and as a player, I understood my role in needing to deliver what this band needs. Of course, the history of the band feeds into what I think of the band, but when it came time to come up with new material, new songs, I didn’t think about Joey Jordison one bit.”
Slipknot fans will undoubtedly have mixed emotions about Weinberg’s departure, but the band has shown resilience and adaptability throughout their career. With a new keyboardist recently added to their lineup and their determination to continue evolving, Slipknot remains a force to be reckoned with in the metal world.
As Slipknot embarks on this new chapter, their loyal fan base eagerly awaits the band’s next move and can only hope that their future endeavors will match the intensity and brilliance that Slipknot has consistently delivered over the years.
For more updates on Slipknot and their future plans, stay tuned to their official social media accounts and the band’s website.