Joey Jordison: Illness left me unable to play drums at end of my Slipknot career

Joey Jordison
Jordison in his Slipknot era

Joey Jordison has revealed that he was suffering from a serious illness that left him unable to play drums in the months leading up to his departure from Slipknot.

But speaking at last night’s Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards ceremony in London, he shared a message of hope for fellow victims of debilitating disease.

He made his comments while accepting the annual Golden God Award at a gala evening that included a celebration of the life of Lemmy, featuring his surviving Motorhead bandmates and old friends Saxon.

Jordison heaped praise on Slipknot – who dismissed him in 2013 – saying: “I want you all to give them praise. We accomplished a lot and I wish them nothing but luck and the best of praise.”

He went on: “Toward the end of my career in Slipknot I got really, really sick with a horrible disease called transverse myelitis.

“I lost my legs. I couldn’t play any more. It was a form of multiple sclerosis, which I don’t wish on my worst enemy.”

He went on: “I got myself back up, and I got myself in the gym, and I got myself back in therapy to beat this fucking shit.”

If I can do it, you can do it. To people with multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis or anything like that, I’m living proof that you can beat that shit.”

Transverse myelitis is a rare disease of the nervous system that can cause paralysis, limited sensory awareness and other symptoms. Around one third of patients experience full recovery while another third experience no recovery at all.

Jordison’s speech begins around the 17-minute mark in the Metal Hammer video. He recently returned to action with two new bands. Vimic, featuring members of previous outfit Scar The Martyr, release their debut album Open Your Omen later this year. Supergroup Sinsaenum will launch first record Echoes Of The Tortured on July 29.

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Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.