STAIND and SOiL drummer Jon Wysocki has died aged 53.
The American musician and founder of the former It’s Been Awhile group is said to have passed away on Saturday.
Wysocki reportedly had battled liver problems but his cause of death is not yet known.
American rock band SOiL posted a tribute to the late star on social media.
It wrote: “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…”
Massachusetts rock band Staind, whose viral hit Outside got over 134million YouTube views, said: “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.”
In an emotional tribute, former band mate Aaron Lewis said he would have welcomed Wysocki back with open arms despite the tension that saw the drummer’s departure.
The “heartbroken” 52-year-old singer went on to admit Jon was like a brother to him.
Lewis wrote on X: “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 f*****g sad. He will be missed.”
Wysocki played with nu-metal group Staind from 1995 to 2011, having been one of its original members.
Their first seven albums, which included the number-one hits “Break The Cycle” (2001), “14 Shades of Grey” (2003), and “Chapter V” (2005), were all drummed by him.
The musician reportedly felt uncomfortable with fame and left Staind in 2011.
He would continue to perform to the end of his life at Soil and Lydia’s Castle.
