The eight surviving members of Slipknot made a rare unmasked appearance this evening as they gathered at Wells Fargo Arena to discuss their deceased bandmate, Paul Gray.
Band members kept the press conference brief, allowing for no questions. They were joined onstage by Gray’s widow, Brenna, and brother, Tony.
“Yesterday we lost our brother, and the world seems a little smaller because of it,” frontman Corey Taylor said. “He was everything that was wonderful about this band and this group of people. The only way I can sum up Paul is ‘love.’”
Taylor’s voice cracked as he spoke, holding back tears. The 10 people on stage remained somber, many with their heads down, and a few wore sunglasses despite the overcast skies outside.
M. Shawn Crahan, who co-founded the group along with Gray and Joey Jordison in 1995, spoke after Taylor.
“It’s very important everybody understands Paul Gray was the essence of the band Slipknot,” Crahan said. “None of us would be on the path we’re on now in life or have the lives we have without him.”
Sid Wilson, the band’s DJ, credited Gray with introducing him to the band, which he described as a family.
“To me, that’s the most important thing. That in everyone he met there was a change in their life,” Wilson said. “He was so good at giving everyone a different perspective, and I love him for that.”
Percussionist Chris Fehn said when Gray called “you just felt good,” and warmly remembered the bass player as giving “the best hugs out of everyone I ever hugged. When he grabbed on to you, you could feel the love he had for you.”
Taylor put his hand on the shoulder of Tony Gray as he spoke about Paul. Gray thanked the fans who made his brother “who he was and made Slipknot what it is today.”
Drummer Jordison also described Gray as a brother.
“It’s very hard for me right now,” Jordison said. “I just want to say that I love you, Paul, very much. You’ll be sorely missed by the world over.”
Brenna Gray spoke last, mentioning the couple’s unborn child while discussing her late husband.
“Paul was my husband and an amazing person,” she said. “I just want people to remember him for just that. His daughter will remember him for the way he was.”
After Gray spoke, Taylor thanked the room and the band and family members rose and exited together.
None of the members made any mention of the future of Slipknot, though the band has ended its tour cycle that followed the 2008 release of “All Hope is Gone.” Several of the musicians have been working with their other bands, such as Stone Sour and Dirty Little Rabbits .
There was also no mention of a funeral for Gray.
Continue reading ‘Slipknot Press Conference On Paul Gray’s Death’
