Jim Root

For the American football player and coach, see Jim Root (American football).
James Root

Root performing with band Stone Sour in 2013.
Background information
Birth name James Donald Root[1]
Also known as
  • #4
  • The Peach
  • The Jester
  • Stuperbee
Born (1971-10-02) October 2, 1971
Las Vegas, Nevada[2][3]
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • guitarist
Instruments
Years active 1991–present
Labels Roadrunner
Associated acts
Website (External links)
Notable instruments

James Donald "Jim" Root[1] (born October 2, 1971),[2][3] also known by his number #4, is an American musician, songwriter and guitarist, best known for being the rhythm guitarist for the American heavy metal band Slipknot, and the former lead guitarist for the American alternative metal band Stone Sour.

Life and career

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.

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 (from what has been said it seems like he wrote the large majority of the songs). 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."[9] During the recording of Stone Sour's Audio Secrecy, he and Rand recorded their parts simultaneously.[10]

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".

Root has been in a relationship with Lacuna Coil singer Cristina Scabbia since 2004. This is seen on both their social media sites like Instagram and Facebook. He currently owns a home in Jacksonville, Florida.

On 17 May 2014, Stone Sour released an official statement saying that Root was no longer a member of the band. Root stated he felt the time was right for him to leave the band.[11]

Equipment

Root endorsing Orange, 2013

In July 2007, Fender released the Jim Root Telecaster. Prior to his endorsement deal with Fender, Root had been seen using PRS, Jackson, Charvel, and Maverick electric guitars, and Guild and Martin acoustic guitars as well as a wide range of effect pedals and amplifiers. In a 2009 performance for Eurockeennes, Jim used a Gibson Flying V.[12][13]

In January 2010, a Jim Root Signature Fender Stratocaster was unveiled on the Fender website, similar to the one he has been seen using on stage, as of March 2009.[14] In 2012, Orange announced a new signature Tiny Terror amp based on their Rockerverb 100, Root's main amp, called the #4. Then, the Squier Telecaster signature model was released, similar to the first Fender Telecaster Jim Root signature. The white model comes with a black pickguard and the black model comes with a white pickguard. Both Squiers have a maple neck and rosewood fretboard (22 frets). Jim's signature Squiers do not contain EMG 81 and EMG 60, instead containing Covered Passive Humbucking Pickups (Neck and Bridge).

The Fender Jim Root Jazzmaster was unveiled at NAMM 2014. It has the same specs as the Jim Root Stratocaster. It only comes in flat black with an ebony fretboard.

Discography

Root with Slipknot at the Mayhem Festival, 2008
Root with Slipknot, 2009
Root with Slipknot, 2015
Slipknot
Stone Sour
Roadrunner United
Other appearances

Filmography

References

  1. 1 2 "JAMES ROOT in ZabaSearch People Search Engine". Zabasearch.com. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  2. 1 2 "James Root Bebo Profile". Upload.bebo.com. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  3. 1 2 "James Root Slipknot Metal Profile". Slipknot-metal.com. 1971-10-02. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  4. ↑ "The first time Jim Root was invited to join Slipknot, the guitarist said no. He was already in a group, the Des Moines metal band Deadfront.". desmoinesregister.com. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  5. ↑ "...Root began his musical career in thrash metal band Atomic Opera.". http://equipboard.com. Retrieved 7 October 2015. External link in |website= (help)
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSZa_g37aIU
  7. ↑ http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Atomic_Opera/3540256019
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiFvkN4gn4o
  9. ↑ "The Lowdown: Jim Root of Stone Sour/Slipknot | Altsounds.com Features". Hangout.altsounds.com. 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  10. ↑ "Stone Sour". Stone Sour. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  11. ↑ "stonesour.com". Archived from the original on 10 July 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  12. ↑ "Slipknot Equipment - Jim Root". Slipknot-metal.com. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  13. ↑ "Jim Root Guitar Rig Gear - Slipknot and Stone Sour". Uberproaudio.com. 2008-02-10. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  14. ↑ "Fender Products". Fender.com. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  15. ↑ http://instagram.com/p/goMBXbFxfI/
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