Though not all goths love metal music, no truly goth column would be complete without the mention of the three sudden deaths that have stunned the metal world (and music world at large). Peter Steele of Type O Negative, Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath, and Paul Gray of Slipknot all passed away, leaving broken hearts and bands behind them.
Gray’s was the most recent death. The 38-year-old was found deceased in the TownePlace Suites hotel in Urbandale, Iowa, before noon on Monday, May 24th. Police reported that an employee of the hotel found his body hours after he had died, and no evidence suggested a crime had been committed. An autopsy on Tuesday, May 25th, was inconclusive, and the results of a toxicology test have been ordered before the death certificate is completed.
Gray, Slipknot’s bassist from its inception and known as #2, or “The Pig,” leaves behind a wife, GodsGirls model Brenna, who is expecting the couple’s first child, a daughter, in September. A press conference with the visibly devastated remaining members of the band (as well as Gray’s wife) was held on Tuesday, May 25th, and can be viewed at the end of this article.
A week and a day earlier, Dio lost his battle with stomach cancer at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where the legendary singer was being treated. His death came about a month after the 67-year-old spoke with optimism about his prognosis at an awards ceremony.
Dio’s wife and manager, Wendy, broke the news to blabbermouth.net in a statement in which she said, “Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45 a.m. [on Sunday] 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away.” Dio, who replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath and had several other bands of his own, is survived by Wendy and one adopted son from his previous marriage.
The “month of mayhem” began with the passing of a goth prodigy, Type O Negative’s Peter Steele. At 48 years, the vocalist suffered heart failure after a short illness on Wednesday, April 14th. The tragedy occurred when Steele had been sober for years and reinvented his life to leave behind his alcoholic, violent, atheistic past. The band was also due to record new music as a follow-up to their 2007 album, Dead Again. Members of Type O Negative each wrote their own memorials and posted them to the band’s official site. Steele is survived by his five sisters and millions of friends and fans worldwide.
Even if you’re not a metalhead, you cannot deny the legacy that each of these three men left on goth culture and music. Dio and Steele especially forged paths for the rise of goth music and metal in general with their unique music. Dio’s invention of the “devil horns” hand sign has permeated concerts for decades, while Steele’s baritone voice is unmistakable to any educated goth. Gray helped reinvent the image of popular metal with his band’s use of grotesque masks, for which they are known.
More than that, each of these men inspired and touched individuals around the world with their music. Even in South Carolina, goths are reeling from the loss of these three figures. Carrie Kelley, a Darlington resident with goth interests and tendencies, sums up Steele’s impact thusly: “No one was doing what Peter Steele started with Type O Negative. He was a true artist and has inspired many. His sudden loss was a shock. However, he left a legacy behind that his fans will keep alive.” Of Dio, Kelley says, “It’s hard to put into words what a musical genius Ronnie James Dio was. He has been rocking us for decades and will still be into eternity.”
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Comments
They say bad things come in threes. If there is any bright side to this, hopefully this means we won't lose any more great musicians any time soon. :(
Great article.
Great job once again! It really is a loss when our beloved musicians pass. These guys all made an impact, and they definitely will be missed.
Its a damn shame about all three. Espeically about Peter Steele. I'm just worried who's next. On an unrelated subject it's great to see you back and writing.
billy b0b go suck a dick. obviously you don't listen to music often cause slipknot is one of the top 10 bands in the us. so shut your mouth if you don't know sh1t a5s hole.
who? never heard of any of them. Sorry they're dead, but i wouldn't say they were HUGE in the music industry.
What huge losses... especially for their families.
Such sad news for fans everywhere, but more so for their families. I hope they will be proud of the legacy their loved one left behind!
OMFG i heard the news throu the internet and i just broke down!!!!!! dude we will miss you Paul you were 1 of the best guitaries i new my dad went to school with all of them and grow really close to corey and every1 alse in SLIPKNOT my dad is a mess and it is such bad news RIP PAUL GRAY WE WILL ALL MISS YOU
:(
billy bob if knew where you lived id f@$@ your world up. Ive been a diehard slipknot fan since the first time i heard the self titled album. This is a trajic loss to the music industry.
I was devastated when I found out about Peter. He was such a talented and hilarious person. I've had the pleasure of hanging out with him a couple of times after the show and he was an absolute riot. There will never be another band as great as Type O Negative was and there will never be a mind as brilliant as Peter's. I will always miss you my friend, see you on the other side...
I wept when I heard each one of then died I've grown up listening to Type o and Dio, also a fan of Slipknot. I don't know what to say it's so sad. I never met these great men personally but they made an impact in my life.
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