Since the news officially broke this morning, Twitter has exploded with fans talking about the loss of Paul Gray.
Jamey Jasta, from Hatebreed and Kingdom of Sorrow: RIP Paul Gray, I am eternally grateful to you.
The Metal Show's @MrJimFlorentine: RIP Paul Gray bass player in Slipknot. He was such a nice guy
Kerrang Magazine: We are shocked and stunned at the death of Slipknot's Paul Gray...
@PapaRoach quite simply stated: "#RIPPaulGray"
Paulo Gregoletto (@TriviumPaulo): "I am sad that Paul Gray has passed, but feel even worse for his pregnant wife. I will be keeping both of them in my thoughts."
The majority of fans posting on Twitter today just simply state their fandom for the band, what music by Slipknot they are listening to, as well as passing condolences onto his widowed wife and their unborn child.
Even on prior stories written about the loss of Paul, the comments have been flooding in:
Tara - "Maybe some people should have listened to their parents when told if you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all. He was not a bad man and in fact was an amazing person and musician. We all have made mistakes as far as the drug addict comment and if anything this should be taken as inspiration to all of us on the effects of what drugs can have. A man now passed left behind a wife and unborn child along with many family , friends , and millions of fans. So try and have some tact though I know it must be hard. Blessed be to all involved."
Even the negativity can be addressed in a positive light as we all search for, and await some, answers:
rog - "Haters used to make me laugh, but not now. A man died. A man, who many loved for his music. None of these fn' haters grown up enough to understand that...No one deserves to die, not this young, not someone, who helped write music, that changed metal scene (you like it or not, they are a really important bad) over years. It's basically them, who made Roadrunner big."
amanda - "Not a fan of the music but sad for his family during this time of sorrow. Drugs or no drugs he was still someone's husband, son and father. WE SHOULD ALL REMEMBER THAT!!!!!"
The biggest loss, undoubtedly, has been felt here at home, in Des Moines. Metal fans all over the metro were blaring Slipknot from car windows and apartment buildings. Last night's hour-long tribute on Lazer 103.3 was a good sendoff to the man who many didn't want, expect, or need to hear this news about. A lot of the greatest hits were played, as well as a couple songs that didn't receive as much airplay. All the while calls from as far as Indiana came in about the loss.
It's been a rough couple of days for fans, fellow bands, and the family, friends and band members who knew Paul. Nothing can be said that will take away the pain the family must feel, as well as his wife. Sorrow is all around for the family that he had, and no one is certain what will happen to Slipknot at this point.
It is easily said the metal world is in mourning today, there have been comments from Russia, the UK, and even Australia to name a few. It is a tragic loss, one that will be felt by the members of several generations for decades to come. Slipknot revived interest in the Des Moines scene for me and several friends who now regularly go to shows. It's been a hard road for this band who just 15 years ago was just as obscure and underground as some of the bands I review today. This isn't what they needed. This isn't what his family needed. This isn't what the Slipknot fans needed. I've heard comments from people saying they've listened to Slipknot since age 5 and some who are in their 40s and still listen to it. I still listen to it and I'm almost 30.
Perhaps this is a time I'd like to set aside for a personal interaction. I know I'm not supposed to do this, but I feel this is one time it calls for it. These articles aren't even about myself reacting to the loss anymore. It was hard for me to even sit down and think about what I just read when I got the information yesterday morning. It didn't seem possible. I've shaken the guy's hand, I've seen him, I've been in his presence, it didn't seem like this guy ever did drugs. I know that seems facetious of me, but he is just this beacon of positive energy, on stage and off. I only happened to run into him at a bar in 2003 one night before work. I was so glad to talk to him for a short time, we talked a bit about bass musicians and we started talking about 2112 (a Rush album) and he just had this big grin on his face talking about the instrument he loved. At Dot Fest 2, many years back, before they were signed, I managed to have him sign my schedule. He was so cool about signing anything, and everything got signed...including a few body parts on females.
It's hard to believe this has happened, and while early reports have stated it was a possible overdose, we'll wait for toxicology to confirm, as well as the autopsy. Hopefully there will be closure soon for a fanbase that amount to a population larger than the state of Iowa.
Comments
OMG this cannot be happaning he was such an awesome bass player and he will be etenaly missed no one will ever take the place of pual gray but we maggots will keep pual in our hearts and will contene 2 love slipknot as the world mourns 4 pual and his wife rip pual u will foever be in our minds and in our music rock on pual and the rest of slipknot!!!! we love u all
I am truy disgusted at this turn of events. slipknot are like the fathers of metal to me This hit me hard but I know it hit Slipknot even harder. Rip paul, sorry for your loss to his friends, family, and all the other maggots out there.
me and my friend wore everything paul gray today. i cant believe he is dead he will be greatly missed by everyone
XOXO
Paul you inspired all of us metal fans! We will miss you!!! Your music will live on forever!!! RIP Brother!
Such a tragic loss to the music industry, I'm sure Slipknot will carry on knowing that is what paul would want and even though a lot of bass players never gain recognition it is almost certain his style and presence in slipknot will be noticed and missed! R.I.P. Paul, i'm sure your up there shredding with the likes of Dimebag and Randy Rhoads as i'm typing this!
paul man uwill be missed ibeen afan for along time it sucks that god had to take u away frome us so mutch patinchul danm iwill allways be a slipknot fan well rest in p[ice paul
Such a loss, I feel for Breanna and his unborn child. As I was looking Psychosocial came on my iPod. =(
its a sad loss can we please put all hate a side. a man has died he had a child on the way, a wife that loved him , awsome friends and supporting fans. he loved making music , traveling ,and did not care about what other ppl thought of him. slipknot put on awsome shows and put out great music. he did what he loved doing and probably still is now on the other side. i do not care about how he died that should be the family"s bizz if they want to share it! the media likes to over put things out for all we know he could be something else that caused his death. i feel my prayers and thoughts goes out to his wife and un born child friends , and family. i could only imagine how they feel. its a sad loss we miss you paul thank you ! metal lives on!!!!!!!!
R.I.P. paul
Rip Paul ill miss ya slipknot will not b da same without u but ill always. Follow. Slipknot we all know dats what u want
Slap Nuts
I'm so sorry to hear about Paul.
May he Rest in Peace.
And feel no more pain.
Paul will be sadly missed by all fans that loved him.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Paul's family and the band slipknot as well.
Rest in Peace Paul and go where all Angels go.
Your # 1 fan Tia
Slipknot keep on rockin dudes. love you all.
Damn guys this is a sad time.... Slipknot my thoughts are with you guys. I hate hearing these self destruction type deaths if thats what it was, my heart goes out to his family both the band and his wife and soon to be child! Maggot for life!!!
oh yeah shut the **** up mike.. its very immature of you to say things like that at a time like this... wish we could meet so i could tell you exactly how i feel about your unthoughtfulness
i believe its really sad that he died. slipknot is still my favorite band, and i think paul shouldnt Be replaced by another bass player because there is no other bass player like him.
It seems cruel that after everythign he's been through, just as a baby comes in to play, and things start to look up for his family, he had to leave. He will be forever missed. R.I.P. Paul
Paul will be missed. Slipknot was awesome, I don't think he should be replaced. He was one of a kind. I certainly think it's not fair that he had to leave when he had a child on the way. I know there must be millions out there who loved him as well. SLIPKNOT will always stay in my heart and always be my favorite band. He will rest in peace now. :( love you paul<3
like cliff burton said "cannot the kingdom of salvation take me home" too much sadness, people.... b happy he went to where he's gone, and he diddnt end up like dime, god rest his soul, big fan of paul, he was really a great guy and i rly beleive he's in a better place. ima still b a maggot 4 life, and nothing is gonna change that, just like the song...."EVERYTHING ENDS" he had a great run, inside the nine... gonna get off b4 i get caught by my teacher, f*@# summer school!!! urs truly, with my deepest sypathies to his family, friends, and fanz,_ grim420, hit me up on myspace
srry i posted sooo l8, the pain is still there in all of us
people = s#it!!! mike = pssy
RIP paul gray
I didn't know he was dead until now and I can't help but feel sad at one of the greatest bassist in America, or even in the world. I don't believe it was drugs. I mean think about it, after the initial preliminary report, there hasn't been any news since. What does that tell you, seriously. I think that, like certain presidents and beatles members he was assassinated!
Paul Gray was a good good guy he was a friend of mine
Paul was a good good friend.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!