Jon Wysocki was the original drummer for the nu metal band Staind, playing on their first seven albums and on such hits as “It’s Been Awhile” and “So Far Away.”
- Died: May 18, 2024 (Who else died on May 18?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 53.
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Jon Wysocki’s legacy
Wysocki cofounded Staind in 1995 in Springfield, Massachusetts. The band released their debut album, “Tormented,” a year later to positive reviews. However, it was their sophomore LP, 1999’s “Dysfunction,” that truly represented the beginning of their success. The album went platinum and included the singles “Just Go” and “Mudshovel,” which did modestly well on the alternative and rock charts.
Staind’s third LP, “Break the Cycle,” was their mainstream breakthrough. Its lead single, “It’s Been Awhile,” was a major hit in spring of 2001, dominating rock radio and rising to No. 5 on the Billboard Top 40. It was the biggest hit of the band’s career, but they followed it with many other singles that were popular on the alternative and rock charts. These included “Fade,” “For You,” “So Far Away,” “Believe,” and “Not Again.”
Wysocki remained with Staind through 2011 and the release of their seventh album, then he left amid frustrations with that project’s recording process and friction among band members. After leaving Staind, he played drums with the Chicago band Soil for a brief period.
Wysocki on success:
“People view you a certain way, but we’re just like anybody else who happens to be in a position that people think is glamorous. I don’t feel any different from anyone else, it’s just that I make my living playing the drums.” — from a 2008 interview for Modern Drummer
Tributes to Jon Wysocki
Full obituary: Billboard
