Joey Jordison

Joey Jordison è stato un musicista e cantautore americano, meglio conosciuto come batterista originale e membro fondatore della band heavy metal Slipknot, dove era designato #1. La sua batteria feroce e tecnicamente precisa ha definito il suono della band nei loro primi quattro album in studio e lo ha reso uno dei batteristi metal più rispettati della sua generazione. Oltre agli Slipknot, è stato chitarrista della band horror punk Murderdolls e ha fondato il progetto metal Scar the Martyr.

L'influenza di Jordison si è estesa oltre le sue band principali; si è esibito e ha registrato con artisti come Rob Zombie, Korn e Ministry, ed era membro del supergruppo blackened death metal Sinsaenum al momento della sua morte. La sua eredità si basa su una combinazione di potenza grezza, versatilità musicale e una instancabile etica del lavoro che ha ispirato innumerevoli musicisti.[modifica]

Nathan Jonas Jordison è cresciuto a Des Moines, Iowa, il secondogenito di Douglas e Jacqueline Jordison. Suo padre lavorava come chirurgo, sua madre come casalinga. Aveva due fratelli: una sorella maggiore e un fratello minore. L'interesse di Joey per la musica iniziò presto; iniziò a suonare la batteria all'età di 11 anni, imparando da solo ascoltando dischi di Kiss, Iron Maiden e Black Sabbath.

Al liceo, Jordison suonò in diverse band locali, tra cui i Modifidious, che mescolavano death metal e thrash. Lavorò anche in un negozio di musica, dove incontrò futuri membri degli Slipknot. Dopo il diploma, frequentò brevemente il college ma lo abbandonò per dedicarsi alla musica a tempo pieno. Nel 1995, co-fondò gli Slipknot con il percussionista Shawn Crahan e il bassista Paul Gray, inizialmente come progetto parallelo. Gli show dal vivo caotici e il suono aggressivo della band guadagnarono rapidamente attenzione nella scena underground di Des Moines.[modifica]

L'album di debutto omonimo degli Slipknot nel 1999 fu una svolta commerciale, vendendo oltre due milioni di copie e raggiungendo il numero 51 sulla Billboard 200. La batteria di Jordison fu un elemento di spicco, messo in mostra in brani come "Wait and Bleed" e "Spit It Out." Il seguito, Iowa (2001), fu ancora più pesante e debuttò al numero tre sulla Billboard 200, consolidando lo status della band.

Nel 2002, Jordison formò i Murderdolls come progetto parallelo con il cantante Wednesday 13, suonando la chitarra. Il loro album di debutto, Beyond the Valley of the Murderdolls, raggiunse il numero 103 sulla Billboard 200. Continuò con gli Slipknot attraverso Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) (2004) e All Hope Is Gone (2008), quest'ultimo debuttò al numero uno. Nel 2013, fu licenziato dagli Slipknot a causa di una malattia neurologica degenerativa che compromesse temporaneamente la sua capacità di suonare. In seguito fondò i Scar the Martyr, pubblicando un album omonimo nel 2013, e si unì ai Sinsaenum nel 2016.[modifica]

Jordison era ampiamente considerato uno dei batteristi più tecnicamente dotati dell'heavy metal, noto per la sua velocità, resistenza e lavoro con la doppia cassa. La sua presenza scenica era intensa e aggressiva, spesso paragonata a una macchina. I fan, conosciuti come Maggots, lo veneravano come un architetto chiave del suono degli Slipknot. La copertura mediatica si concentrò sulla sua abilità alla batteria e sulla sua uscita dagli Slipknot, che in seguito rivelò essere dovuta alla mielite trasversa, una condizione che causò paralisi temporanea alla gamba sinistra. Mantenne una vita personale relativamente privata, lasciando che la sua musica parlasse da sé.[modifica]

The collective following of Joey Jordison, known universally as Maggots, has long served as the primary vessel for his legacy. This community, organized with intense dedication, frequently mobilizes to honor the founding member's contributions, particularly during tributes marking his death or anniversaries of his tenure. While no distinct moniker exists solely for Jordison's personal fanbase, the Maggot identity encompasses his status as Number 1, with fans often citing his technical prowess and the tragedy of his departure as central themes in their discourse. The narrative surrounding his dismissal due to health struggles remains a defining element of this fandom's history, fueling a protective attitude toward his memory and the circumstances of his exit from Slipknot. According to iFANN's August 2026 evaluation, Joey Jordison is currently evaluated but does not hold a placement in the published Global Top 1,000 rankings or any Top-100 scope list. The system confirms that he is currently unranked in these specific global scopes, reflecting an absence of current numerical placement rather than a lack of historical impact. Despite this lack of a specific ordinal rank in the current dataset, his standing within the heavy metal canon remains undisputed, supported by enduring media coverage and consumption signals related to his recorded work. The evaluation process acknowledges his significant influence while noting the absence of a quantifiable position in the current global hierarchy.[modifica]

Jordison's signature early Slipknot mask was a Japanese kabuki design featuring a metal plate over the mouth and bolts, inspired by horror cinema. Although left-handed, he performed on a right-handed drum kit setup. He possessed proficient guitar skills and occasionally performed guitar parts on recordings. A passionate car enthusiast, he maintained a collection of classic and custom vehicles. His love for horror films significantly influenced his stage persona. A widely retold story among bandmates involves turntablist Sid Wilson's first impression of Jordison; Wilson recalled seeing him play and questioned if he was human, calling him a phenomenon due to his extraordinary ability to cover every musical element. Another anecdote describes how current drummer Jay Weinberg jammed with the band while Jordison was still active, only for Jordison to be gone the very next day, highlighting the suddenness of his departure. These narratives, alongside the verified account of his dismissal in December 2013 due to Multiple Sclerosis, form the core of his legendary status within the metal community.[modifica]

I genitori di Jordison, Douglas e Jacqueline, supportarono le sue ambizioni musicali. Suo padre costruì una stanza insonorizzata in cantina affinché potesse esercitarsi alla batteria. Aveva una sorella maggiore e un fratello minore. Joey non si sposò mai e non ebbe figli conosciuti. La sua famiglia gestisce la sua eredità dalla sua morte.[modifica]

Jordison lavorò a stretto contatto con i membri degli Slipknot Shawn Crahan, Paul Gray, Corey Taylor e Mick Thomson. Nei Murderdolls, collaborò con Wednesday 13. Il suo lavoro di session incluse performance con Rob Zombie, Korn, Ministry e Metallica. Contribuì anche agli album dei System of a Down e Marilyn Manson.[modifica]

Joey Jordison è stato notevolmente riservato riguardo alla sua vita sentimentale. Nessuna relazione a lungo termine, fidanzamento o matrimonio è stata confermata pubblicamente. Occasionalmente sono emerse voci, ma lui non le ha mai affrontate. La sua attenzione è rimasta concentrata sulla sua carriera musicale. Al momento della sua morte nel 2021, era single.[modifica]

Nathan Jonas 'Joey' Jordison, the founding drummer of Slipknot, died on July 26, 2021, at his home in Des Moines, Iowa. He was 46 years old, having been born on April 26, 1975. According to an official statement released by his family and confirmed by multiple outlets including Variety and Pearl Drums, Jordison passed away peacefully in his sleep. The cause of death was not officially ruled by a coroner or medical examiner in a public autopsy report; rather, the determination was based entirely on the family's statement that he died naturally during sleep. No police investigation or foul play was suggested at the time of the announcement. Regarding his final days and circumstances, no specific details regarding his health condition immediately preceding death were publicly disclosed by the family.

However, discussions among fans and former bandmates have circulated regarding a long-term illness. A Reddit thread referencing insider accounts suggests that Jordison had been suffering from a severe, undiagnosed illness which was previously mistaken by some peers for substance abuse issues. Despite these rumors, the only confirmed fact remains the family's statement of a peaceful passing. There is no record of a last public appearance prior to his death; his final known professional activities involved his work with Scar the Martyr and various drum clinics leading up to July 2021. Because the death was reported as natural and occurring peacefully in his sleep, authorities did not intervene. The handling of his affairs appears to have remained strictly within the private domain of his family and estate management.

The news of Jordison's death triggered an immediate and widespread outpouring of grief across the music industry and among fans globally. Immediate statements were issued by major institutions and peers. Pearl Drums, his longtime sponsor, released a condolence message highlighting his status as a founding member of Slipknot. Members of Slipknot, including Shawn 'Clown' Crahan, later expressed deep reverence for his talent; in interviews conducted years later (e.g., May 2026), Crahan stated Jordison 'made me the best I could ever be' and recalled his early influence in the Des Moines metal scene. Former percussionist Chris Fehn also paid tribute, describing Jordison as a 'phenomenon' who could 'cover everything,' noting that playing alongside him was 'very intimidating' due to his unparalleled skill.

Fans organized online vigils and shared tributes on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where Jordison's official pages saw a surge in activity. While specific chart numbers for the week of his death are not detailed in the provided search results, it is standard industry practice for bands to see significant streaming spikes following such announcements. His legacy continued to be recognized in lists of greatest drum solos, with his performance on Slipknot's 2001 hit being named among the greatest of all time in subsequent years. Details regarding the specific date, location, and nature (public or private) of Joey Jordison's funeral or memorial service were never made public. As is common in the heavy metal community, while informal gatherings may have taken place among close friends and bandmates, no official public ceremony was announced or reported in the available sources.

Since his death, Jordison has been honored through retrospective features and continued recognition of his technical prowess, such as Stewart Copeland praising his techniques in 2026 and Sid Wilson identifying him as 'the best' Slipknot drummer in 2026. The estate was handled privately by his family, with no public statements or legal filings regarding its administration or distribution found in the search results.[modifica]

At the time of his death in 2021, Joey Jordison's net worth was estimated at $30 million, derived from decades of album sales, touring, and merchandise. Per iFANN's editorial analysis, this valuation reflects the substantial royalties generated by Slipknot's catalog, particularly their first four studio albums. His side projects Murderdolls and Scar the Martyr contributed additional income streams throughout his career. Touring remained a major revenue source, with Slipknot's live performances consistently selling out arenas worldwide. Posthumously, his estate continues to earn from streaming, licensing, and merchandise sales. As of 2026, his estate is managed by his family, with no public disclosure of its current valuation.[modifica]

Come membro degli Slipknot, Jordison ha vinto un Grammy Award per la Migliore Performance Metal nel 2006 per la canzone "Before I Forget". La band ha anche ricevuto numerose altre nomination e vittorie ai Kerrang! Awards, Metal Hammer Golden Gods e Loudwire Music Awards.[modifica]