Sad news to report from the Staind camp, as their founding drummer, Jon Wysocki, died on Saturday (May 18th) at the age of 53. According to reports, the musician had been suffering from liver problems and had been living under medical care.
Wysocki’s passing was confirmed by his most recent band, Lydia’s Castle, who noted on Instagram that the drummer passed away on Saturday night “surrounded by family and friends that loved him dearly.”
Staind paid tribute to their fallen former bandmate, who had co-founded the band and played on massive records including 1999 breakthrough Dysfunction and 2001 crossover success Break the Cycle. He played with the group between 1994 and 2011.
“We first met Jon through mutual friends in 1994,” Staind shared in a joint statement over socials. “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. 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.”
Staind vocalist Aaron Lewis likewise saluted his friend on his own X account, noting: “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.”
Additionally, SOiL, the rock group Wysocki briefly joined up with in 2011 following his time with Staind, paid tribute to the musician, calling him “one of the greats.”
Wysocki joined Nashville outfit Lydia’s Castle in 2021, last performing on the band’s self-titled, five-song EP from 2022. You’ll find a music video for that record’s “Falling Into Place,” below.
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. He was my friend. He was our brother. My heart is broken. My world has changed.
— Aaron Lewis (@Aaronlewismusic) May 19, 2024