When Joey Jordison slammed his double bass drums on Slipknot’s 1999 debut, he didn’t just define a genre — he became the engine of one of metal’s most ferocious bands, but his sudden departure in 2013 puzzled fans for years. Now, the full story of his illness, firing, and tragically early death at 46 offers a far more complicated picture than the headlines suggest.
Born: April 26, 1975 · Died: July 26, 2021 · Founding member of: Slipknot · Role in Slipknot: Drummer (1995–2013) · Cause of death: Transverse myelitis · Age at death: 46
Quick snapshot
- Jordison died of transverse myelitis (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- He was a founding member of Slipknot (BBC News) (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- He left the band in 2013 (Pitchfork (music site))
- He stated he never left voluntarily (NME (music news))
- Whether the band would have kept him if he had been healthy (Billboard (music industry journal))
- Exact details of his firing meeting (Express (UK tabloid))
- How much the band knew about his condition at the time (Rolling Stone (music magazine))
- 1995: Co-founds Slipknot (BBC News)
- Late 2013: Fired from Slipknot amid neurological struggles (Pitchfork)
- 2021-07-26: Dies in his sleep from complications of transverse myelitis (BBC News)
- Ongoing fan debate about the firing and medical disclosure (NME) (The Guardian (UK newspaper))
- Surviving band members continue touring with new drummer (The Guardian (UK newspaper))
The medical crisis that ended Jordison’s Slipknot career was misread by bandmates as substance abuse — a costly misunderstanding that left a founding member isolated during his worst health battle.
The essential details of Joey Jordison’s life and career are summarized below.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Nathan Jonas Jordison |
| Born | April 26, 1975, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | July 26, 2021 (aged 46) |
| Genres | Heavy metal, nu metal, alternative metal |
| Instruments | Drums, percussion, guitar |
| Years active | 1991–2021 |
| Notable bands | Slipknot, Murderdolls, Vimic, Sinsaenum |
What happened to Joey Jordison?
Joey Jordison’s death and cause
On July 26, 2021, Joey Jordison died peacefully in his sleep at age 46, according to a family statement reported by BBC News (UK broadcaster). The cause was transverse myelitis, a neurological condition that inflames the spinal cord. Rolling Stone (music magazine) initially reported that no specific cause was disclosed, but later reporting confirmed the diagnosis. The Guardian (UK newspaper) noted that Jordison had publicly disclosed the illness before his death.
Slipknot founding drummer dies at 46
Jordison co-founded Slipknot in 1995 and played on all five studio albums up to .5: The Gray Chapter (though he did not perform on that record). BBC News confirmed his role as a founding member. The band won a Grammy in 2006 for Best Metal Performance. Radio X (UK radio station) later reported that Corey Taylor expressed regret the band never made amends before Jordison’s death.
This misunderstanding between Jordison and his bandmates defined the final chapter of his Slipknot tenure.
What illness did Joey Jordison have?
Transverse myelitis explained
- Acute inflammation of the spinal cord that disrupts nerve signals (Newsweek (US news magazine))
- Symptoms can include leg paralysis, sensory loss, and bladder dysfunction (Louder (metal magazine))
- Jordison’s case was so severe that he lost the ability to use his legs (Billboard (music industry journal))
- He was diagnosed in 2013, but symptoms reportedly began as early as 2010 while touring with Murderdolls (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
How the disease affected his drumming
Jordison told Louder (metal magazine) that the condition “wiped my legs out completely.” He said he played the last few Slipknot shows before the severity became clear. Billboard reported that his bandmates misinterpreted his physical deterioration as a substance abuse problem. The disease made his legendary double-bass technique impossible to sustain.
The symptoms Jordison experienced — leg numbness, loss of coordination — closely mimicked drug-induced impairment. That tragic overlap led Slipknot members to believe he was struggling with addiction when he was actually battling a rare autoimmune attack on his spinal cord.
The tragic overlap between his symptoms and addiction stereotypes led to a rift that was never healed.
Why did Joey quit Slipknot?
Joey’s own words: ‘I would never have quit’
In a 2016 interview with Louder (metal magazine), Jordison stated flatly: “It was never my decision. I would never have quit Slipknot.” NME (music news) reported that he was fired via email and called the dismissal “cowardly.” Metal Injection (metal news site) quoted him saying he still does not know why Slipknot fired him.
The firing and public statements
Billboard reported that Jordison believed his bandmates misinterpreted his health struggles as a substance abuse issue. Express (UK tabloid) reported Slipknot’s official statement at the time cited “personal reasons.” The conflict between the band’s account and Jordison’s continues to fuel fan debate.
The firing of Jordison likely would have been handled very differently if his neurological condition had been properly diagnosed and communicated. For the metal community, this stands as a cautionary tale about assuming the worst when a musician’s performance declines.
The dispute over his departure continues to fuel debate among fans and band members.
Timeline: Joey Jordison’s life and career
- — Joey Jordison born in Des Moines, Iowa (BBC News)
- — Co-founds Slipknot with Shawn Crahan and others (BBC News)
- — Slipknot self-titled debut album released (BBC News)
- — Slipknot wins Grammy for Best Metal Performance (BBC News)
- — Jordison fired from Slipknot amid neurological struggles (Pitchfork)
- — Diagnosed with transverse myelitis (Louder)
- — Plays with Vimic, Sinsaenum, and other acts (BBC News)
- — Dies in his sleep from complications of transverse myelitis (BBC News)
The pattern: a brilliant career derailed by a misdiagnosed disease, followed by a painful exit and a too-early death that might have been prevented with earlier recognition.
What did Slipknot say about Joey’s death?
Official tribute and social media posts
Slipknot posted a tribute on social media calling him “a pioneer” and expressing devastation. Radio X (UK radio station) reported that Corey Taylor later said he wished the band had made amends before Jordison’s death. The Guardian (UK newspaper) noted that the family requested privacy.
Band members’ individual reactions
Several former and current members shared personal messages. BBC News quoted a band statement calling him “a pioneer.” The tone among members varied from shock to regret.
We are absolutely devastated to say that our friend Joey Jordison has passed away. He was a pioneer.
— Slipknot official statement, July 28, 2021 (BBC News)
It was never my decision. I would never have quit Slipknot.
— Joey Jordison, 2016 interview with Metal Hammer (Louder)
My baby brother Joey passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was a brilliant drummer and a wonderful human being.
— Jordison family statement (Newsweek)
Clarity check: What we know vs. what’s still debated
Confirmed facts
- Jordison died of transverse myelitis (BBC News)
- He was a founding member of Slipknot (BBC News)
- He left the band in 2013 (Pitchfork)
- He stated he was fired (NME)
- His condition caused leg paralysis (Louder)
What’s still unclear
- Whether Slipknot knew the severity of his illness when they fired him (Billboard)
- Exact terms of his departure (Express)
- Whether amends were ever attempted (Radio X)
- His exact net worth at death is unconfirmed, with estimates ranging from $3 million to $5 million.
- Whether he suffered from additional unreported health issues is unknown.
The gaps in the official narrative leave room for ongoing speculation.
For those wanting a detailed account of his illness, this comprehensive article offers a comprehensive look at his final years.
Frequently asked questions
What is transverse myelitis and how does it affect drumming?
Transverse myelitis is inflammation of the spinal cord that disrupts nerve signals, often causing leg weakness or paralysis. For a drummer like Jordison who relied on double-bass technique, losing leg function made performing impossible. (Newsweek)
Did Joey Jordison have any other medical conditions?
He also reportedly suffered from atrial fibrillation and sleep apnea, but the dominant condition that ended his career and contributed to his death was transverse myelitis.
Was Joey Jordison married or in a relationship at the time of his death?
He was in a relationship with Amanda Victoria, who found him unresponsive. They were not married. (The Sun (UK tabloid))
How many drummers has Slipknot had?
Slipknot has had three full-time drummers: Joey Jordison (1995–2013), Jay Weinberg (2014–2023), and Eloy Casagrande (2024–present).
What was Joey Jordison’s net worth?
Celebrity net worth estimates vary, but most sources place it between $3 million and $5 million at the time of his death.
Did Joey Jordison play any other instruments besides drums?
Yes, he played guitar, bass, and piano. He contributed guitar to Murderdolls and some side projects.
Where is Joey Jordison buried?
His family held a private burial, and the exact location has not been publicly disclosed.
Joey Jordison’s story is not simply a tragedy of a musician dying too young. It’s a case study in how the metal machine can misread genuine medical distress as personal failure. For fans and bands alike, the lesson is clear: when a player’s performance suddenly deteriorates, the right response is a doctor’s appointment, not an email firing. The consequence of misreading his distress was a severed relationship and a needlessly lonely death.
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.