The rock world is mourning the death of founding Corrosion of Conformity drummer Reed Mullin. He was 53.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to a friend, a brother and pioneer,” read a tweet from the band late Monday. “Reed you are loved and always will be. Lets all take a moment…”
No cause of death was revealed.
In June 2016, Mullin was rushed to a hospital in Edmonton after suffering a seizure just as C.O.C. was about to open a show for Lamb of God. “This was preceded by prolonged, extreme and unhealthy levels of alcohol consumption, not taking care of himself and who-knows-what else,” bandmate Mike Dean explained in a Facebook post at the time.
“Reed has been unwell for awhile and we are praying he gets the help he needs and that he seek treatment for alcohol and drug dependency, not to mention general lifestyle assistance. We will not enable Reed to continue killing himself on our watch.”
Reed Mullin (second from right) with C.O.C.
Mullin, a North Carolina native, was just 16 when he helped form C.O.C. in 1982. He played with the band until 2001 but rejoined in 2010. Mullin recorded nine studio albums with the band, including its latest, 2018’s No Cross No Crown.
He also played in No Labels, Man Will Destroy Himself and Teenage Time Killers.
On social media, tributes are pouring in.
Canadian rocker Danko Jones remembered Mullin on Twitter. “I met Reed Mullin only once when COC cruised through Toronto in 1990. Even that brief meeting was memorable & I got a pretty sweet story out of it. Always thought COC were the coolest band on the scene and Reed the coolest.”
Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante shared in an Instagram tribute: "I think back to the days of meeting him and getting to know this person that had a glow around him . I’ll never forget the time he lost one of his shoes in the pit at one of our shows. He came backstage with one shoe on like it was nothing, he just rolled with it. I always loved his style of drumming too, just listen to 'Loss for word' off of Animosity, great drummer. He will be missed."