Original drummer of Staind, Jon Wysocki, dies at 53

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Jon Wysocki, the original drummer and founding member of Staind, has died at the age of 53.

Wysocki’s current band, Lydia’s Castle, announced his death in an Instagram statement, saying the musician died “surrounded by family and friends that loved him dearly.”

Staind also paid tribute to Wysocki in a social media message, saying that he was “integral to who we were as a band.”

“We first met Jon through mutual friends in 1994. We came together with Mike, Aaron and Johnny April in 1995 and founded Staind. The 17 years that followed were some of the best memories of our times together,” the statement read. “From practice in Ludlow, Mass to touring around the world, Jon was integral to who we were as a band. Our hearts go out to Jon’s family and fans around the world who loved him.”

Along with singer Aaron Lewis, Wysocki played in Staind with guitarist Mike Mushok and bassist Johnny April when the band formed nearly 30 years ago in 1995. According to Blabbermouth.net, Wysocki was a member of the group until 2011, when he was reportedly fired while the band was in the midst of recording their seventh studio album.

In a separate statement, Lewis honoured his former bandmate, telling followers he shared a brotherly bond with Wysocki. 

“I’m so sad. I lost my friend. A friend I loved like a brother… fought with like a brother… cared for like a brother… worried about like a brother… cried over like a brother… because he was my brother in arms. My journey would’ve been different without him,” the It’s Been Awhile singer wrote in an Instagram message.

“The battles we fought together. The battles we fought against each other. The battles we fought side by side alone with our own demons. The battles we won and the battles we lost,” Lewis continued. “He was my friend. He was our brother. My heart is broken. My world has changed.”

He ended his message by saying he was “so f—— sad.”

“I’ll see you on the other side my friend. My brother. Godspeed. My heart, my love, and my condolences go out to his family and loved ones …. He will be missed,” Lewis wrote.

Wysocki’s former groupmates from band SOIL also issued a statement about his death, remembering him as “one of the greats.”

“Jon Wysocki was not only a great friend, a great drummer, but a great human being. It was an honor to have him in SOIL for the time we did. We had so many laughs, so many good times. You will be missed dearly. Until we meet again dear friend….”

During his tenure with Staind, Wysocki played on the band’s trio of No. 1 albums, including 2001’s Break the Cycle, 2003’s 14 Shades of Grey and 2005’s Chapter V. 

mdaniell@postmedia.com