He stands out as one of the most exceptional singers in today's music scene, delivering performances that evoke both vulnerability and explosive energy. With a multifaceted and fearless approach, he exhibits diversity and audacity. Born on December 8, 1973, we present to you the incredible Corey Taylor, a true force in the world of music.
(Photo: Ashley Osborn)
= His full name is Corey Todd Taylor, we had to write this because Corey sounded everything but "Todd".
= Born in Des Moines, Iowa, United States, his early life was marked by challenges. During his childhood, he resided with his mother, facing financial instability that led to frequent moves and a lack of permanence. It wasn't until he turned 30 that he first met his father.
= At the age of 15, he transitioned to living with his grandmother, a skilled professional bowler, who assumed the role of his guardian. Despite the relatively brief duration of their cohabitation (3 years), this period was both tumultuous and impactful, shaping Corey's life significantly.
= Beyond providing essentials like education and shelter, his grandmother introduced him to the realm of music, particularly through Elvis Presley's albums. She played a pivotal role in facilitating Corey's entry into the musical world by assisting him in acquiring his first guitar and other instruments.
= Concurrent with his exposure to music, Corey grappled with substance abuse issues from an early age. Struggling with drug addiction, he faced several instances of overdose, and at one point, he even attempted suicide through drug consumption. His grandmother discovered him unconscious in a trash can, underscoring the severity of his struggles.
(Photo: Rocklahoma)
= Following the pivotal incident and his decision to embark on recovery while reclining on his grandmother's sofa, Corey Taylor found inspiration during the MTV Music Awards. It was there that the band "Faith No More" delivered a memorable performance of "Epic." Captivated by the music and stage presence, Corey resolved to make music his life's pursuit, expressing gratitude to Mike Patton and his bandmates for their influence.
= In the early 1990s, as the Grunge scene flourished in Seattle, Des Moines witnessed the emergence of a robust and intense metal scene. While it may not have garnered the same headlines as Grunge, the atmosphere was similarly tight-knit, with everyone interconnected, collaborating, and forming and disbanding ensembles.
= Corey's inaugural venture into the music scene was with the band "Stone Sour," co-founded with drummer Joel Ekman, bassist Shawn Economaki, and guitarist Josh Rand. Although they recorded a demo album in 1993, it wasn't until 2002 that they released their debut album.
However, before this milestone...
= In 1997, Corey received an invitation from three formidable figures—Joey Jordison, Shawn Crahan, and Mick Thomson—to join a newly formed metal band named "Slipknot."
= While many are now familiar with Slipknot, recognized for their distinctive overalls and masks, referring to members by numbers rather than names, Corey, despite being the sixth addition to the band, chose the number eight. This selection was symbolic, as the number resembles an infinity symbol when turned upside down.
(Photo: Slipknot)
= Two years later, following a series of lineup changes, the release of two demo albums, and a series of electrifying performances, the band successfully garnered attention from record labels and inked a significant seven-album deal with Roadrunner Records.
= In 1999, the band unveiled its eponymous debut album, a powerful, intense, and compact work that, despite reaching only the 51st spot on the "Billboard 200" chart, quickly attained legendary status within the genre. This album marked Slipknot's entry into the spotlight, cultivating a devoted fan base known as "The Maggots."
= The year 2001 witnessed the release of their second album, "Iowa," which soared to the third position on the Billboard charts. The accompanying tour not only sold out many stadiums across the United States from the outset but further solidified Slipknot's prominence.
= However, following the conclusion of the tour, internal conflicts erupted among band members, leading to a hiatus. During this break, Corey seized the opportunity to revisit his initial project, reuniting with Josh and introducing Slipknot guitarist Jim Root. Alongside the original bassist and drummer, they commenced work on their debut album.
= In 2002, "Stone Sour" released its inaugural album, securing the 49th spot on the Billboard charts and earning the band two Grammy Award nominations. Alongside the exposure garnered by Slipknot, this album proved to be the breakthrough moment for "Stone Sour."
(Photo: Travis Shinn)
= In 2004, "Slipknot" issued their second album, "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses." Despite recruiting renowned producer Rick Rubin, the recording process proved challenging. The album, reaching number two on the Billboard charts, earned the band its first Grammy Award in 2006. Following the promotional tour, the band once again entered a hiatus.
= Returning to "Stone Sour" in 2006, they released their second album, "Come What (ever) May," with drummer Roy Mayorga joining the lineup. Surpassing the success of their debut, the album claimed the fourth position on the Billboard charts and secured a Grammy nomination in 2006, competing with "Slipknot."
= In 2008, "Slipknot" made a comeback with their fourth album, "All Hope Is Gone," debuting at number one on the Billboard charts. Tragically, it marked the last album featuring bassist Paul Gray, who passed away in 2010 due to a drug-related incident.
= In 2010, "Stone Sour" released their third album, "Audio Secrecy," dedicated to their friend Paul from "Slipknot."
= The year 2012 saw the release of the album "House of Gold & Bones - Part 1," followed by "House of Gold & Bones - Part 2" a year later. Post the album releases, guitarist Jim Root chose to depart from "Stone Sour" to concentrate on "Slipknot."
= Simultaneously, in 2012, "Slipknot," endeavoring to overcome Paul's loss, returned to the stage, performing at various festivals. A year later, with two new members, including drummer Jay Weinberg, the band released their fifth album, "5: The Gray Chapter," dedicated to the memory of the bassist.
(Photo: Roadrunner Records)
= In 2016, Corey received unexpected news during a routine medical checkup — he discovered he had a neck fracture, one that had occurred several years earlier. Unable to pinpoint the exact moment it happened, Corey identified the cause: his intense "Head-Banging" routine during Slipknot and Stone Sour performances. Subsequently, he underwent surgery to replace the broken vertebrae with artificial discs, necessitating the use of a neck brace. Even after the surgery, Corey attended concerts with the brace on, serving as a reminder to restrain his signature "head-banging" impulses.
= In 2017, the members of "Stone Sour" reunited for a final collaboration, delivering their last album, "Hydrograd." However, in 2020, the band announced an indefinite break, leaving uncertainty about their future together. Fans are eagerly hopeful for a possible reunion.
= In 2019, "Slipknot" marked their return with the release of their sixth album, "We Are Not Your Kind." Regarded as one of the most captivating, talked-about, and significant albums of 2019, it quickly claimed the top spot on the Billboard charts. The album's immense global success propelled one of the largest tours in the world, solidifying "Slipknot's" enduring impact on the music scene.
(Photo: Slipknot)
= In October 2020, Corey embarked on a new chapter in his musical journey with the release of his debut solo album, "CMFT." The album is a compilation of songs that Corey had penned over the years but hadn't previously published under the banners of "Slipknot" or "Stone Sour." It stands out as a diverse collection, showcasing Corey's appreciation for various music genres.
= Known for his enthusiasm for collaborations, Corey has engaged in numerous performances and remarkable cover versions with various groups and artists. Notable collaborations include the song "Fuck You" with Dimbag Darrell and "Damageplan," "From Can to Can't" with David Grohl and friends, "Sleeping Dogs" with guitarist Zakk Wylde, "A Different World" with Korn, and more. His musical collaborations also extend to a song with Lzzy Hale, making for an impressive and varied portfolio. For those interested, exploring the web for these collaborations promises a fascinating journey through Corey's versatile musical ventures.
= Corey Taylor has grappled with addictions throughout his life. While he successfully overcame drug addiction at a relatively young age, in his twenties, he continued to battle alcohol dependency. The instability caused by these struggles led him to the brink of losing nearly everything on multiple occasions. The thought of a world without Corey is a sobering one for his fans.
= It's not widely known about him, but Corey is a voracious bookworm. He loves to read a lot, books from various genres, which, by the way, is what he testifies provides him with his extensive vocabulary and ideas for writing. Moreover, Corey is also quite an author himself; to date, he has published six books:
"A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Heaven" 2013, "Seven Deadly Sins: Settling the Argument Between Born Bad and Damaged Good" 2012, "House of Gold & Bones" 2013, "America 51: A Probe into the Realities That Are Hiding Inside "The Greatest Country in the World"" 2017, "You're Making Me Hate You" 2015, "How I Made Peace with the Paranormal and Stigmatized Zealots" 2013
= Another fascinating fact that one might infer from his books, is his belief in the supernatural. Corey is not religious, but he believes in the paranormal and even claims to have frequent encounters with spirits and mystical beings in one of the houses he lived in the past.
= In a poignant tribute on his birthday, Corey marked the occasion by releasing a new single from his debut album on August 12, 2020. This gesture not only celebrated his birthday but also highlighted his ongoing musical journey and resilience in the face of personal challenges.
= In 2022 "Slipknot" released its seventh album "The End, So Far", we hope that the name of the album does not imply the continued activity of the band which is in record activity of tours and albums in the last three years. By the way, this is the last album released by the band under the label "Roadrunner Records" with which they signed in 1998!
= In September 2023, Corey released his second solo album, "CMF2." Once again, Corey brings the music he loves in its various shades, delivering an enjoyable and diverse album. In one of the interviews, he compared this album to Foo Fighters' "In Your Honor," noting the similarity in how you can distinctly feel the contrast between the heavy tracks and the softer ones.
Listen to his latest album on: Spotify, Apple Music