Heavy metal band Slipknot announce departure of keyboardist Craig Jones after 27 years
Slipknot announces the departure of keyboardist Craig Jones after 27 years in the heavy metal band
Heavy metal band Slipknot have announced that they are parting ways with keyboardist Craig Jones after 27 years.
In a now-deleted social media post, the band wrote: “To our fans, Slipknot announces that we have parted ways with Craig Jones.
“We wish Jones all the best for the future.”
Craig, 51, who joined the group in 1996, is recognizable by his spiky face mask, which he wears during live performances.
He has recorded all of their seven studio albums to date and performed with the Iowan metal outfit.
Sad: Heavy metal band Slipknot have announced that they are parting ways with keyboardist Craig Jones after 27 years
Talented: Craig, 51, who joined the group in 1996, is recognizable by his spiky face mask, which he wears during live performances
The keyboardist has yet to comment on the shocking news, while Slipknot has now removed their statement, leaving fans confused.
One wrote on Twitter: ‘Craig Jones has left Slipknot and it’s a horrible day for Slipknot fans’
Another said: ‘Why did I just find out that Craig Jones is no longer in Slipknot’
A third commented, “Craig is no longer with Slipknot. too many og heroes leave this band’
Another wrote, “I love how we don’t get an explanation for departing members. Like it’s none of our business’
On Thursday, the band took to social media with an image of an unknown member wearing a hood and a new mask, but there was no caption accompanying the photo.
The unnamed member’s mask is that of a black leather hood, with a zippered mouthpiece and red paint around the eyes and mouth.
Craig’s departure marks the fourth time an original member has left and been replaced.
Most recently, the brand has enlisted Michael Pfaff to replace percussionist Chris Fehn in 2019.
Before that, the band welcomed drummer Jay Weinberg and bassist Alessandro Venturella in 2014 to replace Joey Jordison, who passed away in 2021, and Paul Gray, who passed away in 2010.
In a now-deleted social media post, the band wrote: “To our fans, Slipknot announces that we have parted ways with Craig Jones.”
Upset: The keyboardist has yet to comment on the shocking news, leaving fans shocked and saddened
The news comes shortly after the band kicked off their European tour this week, but another Slipknot member announced that he is parting ways with the band.
He wrote on the band’s Instagram page, “Hello to all our fans, it’s the clown.
“I just want to take a moment to tell everyone that I am back home supporting my wife due to some health issues, and will be back on the road as soon as possible.
“We have been through this before and as always we appreciate the love and support. See you all very soon.’
New member? On Thursday, the band took to social media with an image of an unknown hooded member wearing a new mask