Staind and SOiL drummer John Wysocki has died at the age of 53.
The founding member of the former 'It's Been Afoil' group – who left in 2011 and quickly joined the latter band – reportedly passed away on Saturday (18 May 24), suffering from liver damage. He is said to have been battling an illness, but the cause of death has not been revealed. At this stage we know.
SOiL wrote on social media: “Today we lost one of our great players. John Wysocki was not only a great friend and a great drummer, but also a great human being. It was an honor to welcome him to SOiL. We laughed a lot and had a lot of fun. You will be sorely missed, dear friend, until we meet again… (sic)
Nu-metal rockers Staind said: “We first met John in 1994 through mutual friends. We got together with Mike, Aaron and Johnny April in 1995 and founded Staind. The next 17 years were some of our best memories together.” .
“From practicing in Ludlow, Massachusetts to touring around the world, John was an integral part of who we are as a band. Our hearts go out to John's family and the fans around the world who loved him. ”
Despite the tension surrounding John's departure, frontman Aaron Lewis said he would have welcomed him back with open arms.
And he paid an emotional tribute following his death, admitting the 52-year-old singer was like a brother to him and was “heartbroken”.
“I'm so sad. I lost a friend. A friend who I loved like a brother… fought like a brother… cared like a brother… worried like a brother… cried like a brother… because… Because he was.'' Comrade, my journey would have been different without him.
“The battles we fought together. The battles we fought with each other. The battles we fought alone alongside our own demons. The battles we won, the battles we lost. He was our brother. My heart and my world were broken.
“See you on the other side, friend, brother, Godspeed. My heart, love and condolences go out to his family and loved ones. So sad. He will die.” ”