Founding member of Staind dies aged 53

(WTRF) – Jon Wysocki, drummer and founding member of the rock band Staind, has died at the age of 53, according to members of his current band.

Bandmates from Wysocki’s current project Lydia’s Castle announced his death on social media over the weekend.

“On May 18, 2024 at 8:02 p.m., (Jon Wysocki) passed away surrounded by his family and friends who loved him very much. “An official statement will be developed shortly,” the band wrote in an Instagram post shared on Saturday.

Staind also released a statement on Wysocki’s death the following day.

“We first met Jon in 1994 through mutual friends,” read a statement posted on the band’s social media pages. “We got together with Mike, Aaron and Johnny April in 1995 and formed Staind. The following 17 years were some of the best memories of our time together. From training in Ludlow, Massachusetts to touring around the world, Jon has been an integral part of our band. Our condolences go out to Jon’s family and the fans around the world who loved him.”

Wysocki was one of the four founding members of Staind, alongside lead singer Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok and bassist Johnny April. Wysocki left the band in 2011 before briefly joining the band Soil.

“I was very frustrated about it, so I said to the guys, ‘As much as I love this band and you guys, I have to go.’ “This is no longer the Staind we originally were,” Wysocki once said in an interview for the 2021 book “Nu Metal: The Definitive Guide.”

Aaron Lewis, Staind’s lead singer, also released a personal statement following Wysocki’s death, calling him a “brother in arms.”

“Without him, my journey would have been different,” Lewis said in part. “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 have won and the battles we have lost. He was my friend. He was our brother. My heart is broken. My world has changed. See you on the other side, my friend. My brother. Good luck. My heart, love and condolences go out to his family and loved ones. I’m so damn sad. He will be missed.”

Wysocki’s cause of death had not been released as of Monday morning.