Jim Root

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Jim Root

Root performing with Stone Sour in 2013

Background information

Birth name James Donald Root[1]

Also known as #4

Born October 2, 1971 (age 50)

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.[2][3]

 Heavy metal
Genres
 nu metal

 thrash metal

 alternative metal

 alternative rock

 hard rock

Occupation(s)  Musician

 songwriter

Instruments Guitar
 Years active 1991–present

Labels Roadrunner

Associated acts  Slipknot

 Stone Sour

 Deadfront[4]

 John 5

 Atomic Opera[5]

James Donald Root[1] (born October 2, 1971),[2][3] also known as #4, is an American

guitarist and songwriter. He is one of two guitarists for heavy
metal band Slipknot and the former lead guitarist for rock band Stone Sour.

Contents

 1Life and career

 2Equipment

 3Discography

 4Filmography

 5References

 6External links

Life and career[edit]

See also: Slipknot (band) and Stone Sour

Root began performing with the thrash metal band Atomic Opera [6][7][8] from Iowa in

the early 1990s, not to be confused with the hard rock band Atomic
Opera from Houston, Texas. Soon after they split up he went on to perform in
bands such as DeadFront and Stone Sour; the latter which he joined in 1995, and
returned to along with vocalist Corey Taylor, during its revival in 2002. Prior to
joining Slipknot, he worked as a screenprinter, waiter, and busboy.[9]
He joined Slipknot in January 1999, replacing their original guitarist, Josh Brainard,
who left the band during the recording of their self-titled album, reportedly after
having fulfilled his recording duties. In fact, the only two songs Root recorded
during the album's sessions were "Purity" and "Me Inside", the former being
featured on the short-lived first pressing of Slipknot as well as the 10th Anniversary
Edition, and the latter being its replacement. Despite this, the song has become a
staple for most of the band's live performances. Slipknot vocalist Corey
Taylor invited Root to join the band based on Taylor's past experiences working
with him in Stone Sour.
Although filling in the spot of rhythm guitar in 1999, Root is considered to be one of
the band's main songwriters and has written lead guitar parts for Slipknot's later
albums particularly on All Hope is Gone and .5: The Gray Chapter. Of Slipknot's
nine member lineup which lasted between 1999 to 2010, Root was the last to join
the band. Root typically performed lead guitar in Stone Sour, although he
sometimes played rhythm. He has spoken of both bands' guitar style as being twin
guitar: "In both bands, I fulfill both roles. In Slipknot, Mick [Thomson] has some
solos, and in Stone Sour, Josh [Rand] has some solos." [10] During the recording of
Stone Sour's Audio Secrecy, he and Rand recorded their parts simultaneously. [11]
Outside Slipknot and Stone Sour, Root has appeared on Slipknot turntablist Sid
Wilson's DJ Starscream album The New Leader and John 5's The Devil Knows My
Name, for the song "Black Widow of La Porte", and also appeared on
the Roadrunner United project, performing the solo and harmony guitars on "Tired
'N Lonely" from the project's album The All-Star Sessions. He also appeared
on Jonathan Davis and the SFA's cover of Lil Wayne's "Got Money".
On May 17, 2014, Stone Sour released an official statement saying that Root was
no longer a member of the band.[12] Moments before their statement, Root told a fan
on Instagram of his departure, explaining "Not my decision. Not happy about
it."[13] In interviews, Root accused the band of being financially motivated and
pursuing a more commercial musical direction, but also observed that he "wasn't
really happy in that band anymore". Corey Taylor noted that the split initially put a
strain on his and Root's relationship, which nonetheless was mended through
channelling their frustrations into new Slipknot material. [14]