Jon Wysocki, Founding Staind Drummer Dead at 53

Jon Wysocki, the founding drummer of rock band Staind has died at 53. The news was confirmed on Saturday, when Wysocki’s current band, Lydia’s Castle, posted about his passing on Instagram, writing, “On 5/18/2024 at 8:02pm, @jonwysocki4 passed away surrounded by family and friends that loved him dearly.”

Staind also paid tribute to Wysocki in an Instagram post on Sunday, in which they wrote, “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. 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.”

At press time no information on the cause of death had been announced. Lydia’s Castle member Shawna Hornbeck wrote on Saturday that Wysocki, was, “currently in the ICU. He has been having issues with his liver that requires him to be under the attention of medical professionals to ensure that he is treated properly. While he has been struggling, there are signs that he is recovering slowly.”

Born on Jan. 17 ,1971 in Westfield, Mass., Wysocki co-founded second-wave grunge band Staind in Springfield, Mass. in 1995 with singer/rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok and bassist Johnny April. The band self-released their debut album, Tormented, in 1997, followed by their 1999 major label debut, Dysfunction, which was co-produced by Limp Bizkit singer Fred Durst and featured the singles “Mudshovel” and “Home.”

After co-headlining the Family Values tour with Limp Bizkit in late 1999, the band dropped their third LP, Break the Cycle, in May 2001, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart and spawned their signature No. 5 Hot 100 hit “It’s Been Awhile.” Wysocki played on seven on the band’s eight studio albums — through 2011’s self-titled seventh LP — before taking his leave in 2011, reportedly due to friction with singer Lewis; he was replaced by drummer Sal Giancarelli.

In a statement on his X account on Sunday, Lewis wrote, “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 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. 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. I’m so fu–ing sad. He will be missed.”

After leaving Staind, Wysocki briefly joined Chicago hard rock group Soil, but never recorded with them. On Sunday they also paid tribute to their late bandmate, writing on FB, “Today we lost 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…..”

See the statements about Wysocki’s death below.