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JEFF HANNEMAN, A founding member of Slayer whose career was irrevocably changed after a spider bite, has died. He was 49.
Slayer spokeswoman Heidi Robinson-Fitzgerald said Hanneman died Thursday morning of liver failure at a Los Angeles hospital with his wife, Kathy, by his side.
The guitarist had recently begun writing songs with the band in anticipation of recording a new album later this year. He had been slowly recovering from what was believed to be a spider bite that nearly cost him his arm after he failed to seek immediate treatment.
Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy, in a statement:
The music industry has lost a true trailblazer, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family, his bandmates and fans around the world who mourn his untimely passing.
Robinson-Fitzgerald said it’s believed the spider bite contributed to the failure of Hanneman’s liver, but it is unclear whether an autopsy will be scheduled. No funeral arrangements have been made.
“Jeff Hanneman will always be a metal god,” rocker Andrew WK posted on Twitter. Hanneman co-founded the thrash metal pioneers in Huntington Beach, California, in 1982.
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True legend, author of many all time metal classics and at least two universal masterpieces!
He ll be south of heaven tonight. RIP
I was in dam near when i heard the news. A terribly sad loss for not only heavy metal music but real music in general. Slayer i fear will be no more as Jeff was such an integral part of the group, i really cant imagine them recording without him. A wonderfully talented guitarist, wrote the majority of Slayer’s ”hits” much more versatile then Kerry and he also had a fantastic stage presence.
Like Dimebag, Bon Scott, Phil Lynott, Cliff Burton, Chuck Schuldiner and others, he will never truly die but live on through his music. May he always be remembered and rest peacefully
”An unforeseen future nestled somewhere in time
Unsuspecting victims no warnings no signs
Judgment day the second coming arrives
Before you see the light you must die”
Well said
Well said Alan
RIP. Saw Slayer for first time at Ireland’s only Ozzfest fest back in 2000. My two vivid memories of the gig were Dave Lombardo’s bullet-sounding kick drums (me being in awe) and Jeff, who, mid way through a solo realised there was no sound coming from his guitar. So he angrily flung his guitar at the tech from about 20 feet away. The tech promptly flung a different guitar back at Jeff and he continued soloing away as if nothing had gone wrong. It all happened in about 10 seconds. Legend!
Sad day for the music world. An amazing guitarist and a true metal head!
why could they not take lars ulrich instead
Because the lord took Cliff Burton instead.
Was shocked to see this; actually met him albeit briefly when they played the SFX on the Divine Intervention tour in the 1990′s, he was sound. Think I’ll give decade of aggression & seasons on the abyss a listen after work. RIP Jeff. Thanks for everything.
This is a sad day for those who love great music. Slayer on repeat for the day methinks….
RIP Jeff \m/
One of the nice guys in metal. Left a legacy.
Another musician who had actual talent passes away. RIP Jeff Hanneman!
Ah no way!!!!! Absolute f*cking legend of a guitarist and song writer. Slayer’s music got me through so much pain in my teenage years. Their music did’nt make me depressed or suicidal as all the do gooders claimed but instead it invigorated me and helped me! RIP Jeff
Still in shock. A huge influence to metal guitarists everywhere. RIP
RIP – a legend! Sad day for Metal \nn/
Its been said already but I’ll say it again… Absolute Legend. RIP.
Sad day fr
Immense legend. A sad day for the world of metal. Jeff hannemans legacy will be felt for decades to come.
So tragic the man was a legend even in death!
Jeff Hanneman…. The amazingly talented song writer and musician. The music industry lost one of the few genuine talented bad asses left :(
RIP Jeff
RIP Jeff \m/
Unbelievable,I’m still in shock here R.I.P.
Rip jeff
Absolutley gutted. The end of one of the greatest guitar duos of all time. A true legend of metal music. Ive had the honour of seeing him play twice and watching him trade solos with Kerry King is something I will never forget. RIP Jeff.
Sad news…Reign in blood will be blaring tonight
Heavens going to rock tonight. RIP.
Devestated… The world has lost a true great!! Seasons in the Abyss on vynal later me thinks. RIP
I grew up listening to the likes of Slayer while the rest of my class listened to bross/2 unlimited, The double bass of Lombardo with Jeff&kerry on guitars was unreal.
Even back then (90s)you had a few Bible bashers sh*ting on that their music was leading young people towards satanism.
RIP Jeff
I remember listening to Slayer on old cassette tapes. First metal band I listened to. RIP
RIP.
RIP
An absolute legend is gone and will be missed. Slayer is definitely gonna be blaring out the car after work. \m/
What type of spider and where did it happen? RIP
Nothing to do with the spider – the necrotizing fasciitis bacteria got in via the cut.
Spider Slays Slayer
Another legend gone too soon. Heard this last night and still shocked to say the least.
The man was a true legend and a grounded one at that!!
Legend RIP
Kerry King has moment of noise for Jeff Hanneman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ii71xc400E
what an idiot that guy, so dismissive
R.I.P Big loss to the world of metal. \m/ \m/
Berk.
Ziggy’s revenge
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