Jim Root
Encyclopedia
James Donald "Jim" Root (born October 2, 1971), also known by his number #4, is an American musician
known for being the rhythm/lead guitarist of the heavy metal band, Slipknot
, and the lead guitarist for rock
band, Stone Sour
. He was the last member to join the current line-up of Slipknot, in January 1999.
, during its revival in 2002. Prior to joining Slipknot, he worked as a screenprinter
, waiter, and busboy
. Root joined the band 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 has written lead guitar parts for Slipknot's later albums particularly on All Hope is Gone. Root typically performs on lead guitar in Stone Sour, although he sometimes plays rhythm instead. 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." During the recording of Stone Sour's Audio Secrecy, he and Rand recorded their parts simultaneously.
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
"
and maple neck and fingerboard
, or in flat white with a black pickguard, maple neck and ebony fingerboard. Both models feature mahogany bodies, 22 jumbo frets, a single volume control with no tone control, black hardware, and EMG humbuckers (EMG 81 in the bridge and EMG 60 in the neck). In 2010 a signature stratocaster was issued, with specs similar to his telecasters. They are available in black and white finishes. This guitar has also been used live on shows during 2009. Prior to his endorsment deal with Fender, Root had been seen using PRS, Jackson, Charvel, and Maverick electric guitars and Martin acoustic guitars as well as a wide range of effect pedals and amplifers. In a 2009 performance for Eurockeennes, Jim used a Gibson Flying V. 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.
Stone Sour
Other appearances
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
known for being the rhythm/lead guitarist of the heavy metal band, Slipknot
Slipknot (band)
Slipknot is an American heavy metal band from Des Moines, Iowa. Formed in 1995, the group was founded by percussionist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray...
, and the lead guitarist for rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band, Stone Sour
Stone Sour
Stone Sour is an American rock band from Des Moines, Iowa. Since 2006, the group has been composed of Corey Taylor , Jim Root , Josh Rand, , Shawn Economaki and Roy Mayorga . Original drummer Joel Ekman left the group in 2006...
. He was the last member to join the current line-up of Slipknot, in January 1999.
Life and career
James Root has performed in bands such as Atomic Opera, Deadfront and Stone Sour; the latter which he joined in 1995, and returned to along with vocalist Corey TaylorCorey Taylor
Corey Todd Taylor sometimes known by the number 8, is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of Slipknot and Stone Sour. Taylor was raised by his single mother. He developed a fond feeling toward classic rock after his grandmother introduced him to it...
, during its revival in 2002. Prior to joining Slipknot, he worked as a screenprinter
Screen-printing
Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a woven mesh to support an ink-blocking stencil. The attached stencil forms open areas of mesh that transfer ink or other printable materials which can be pressed through the mesh as a sharp-edged image onto a substrate...
, waiter, and busboy
Busboy
Busser, busboy and busgirl are terms used in the United States for someone who works in the restaurant and catering industry clearing tables, taking dirty dishes to the dishwasher, setting tables and otherwise assisting the waiting staff....
. Root joined the band in January 1999, replacing their original guitarist, Josh Brainard, who left the band during the recording of their self-titled album
Slipknot (album)
Slipknot is the debut album by American heavy metal band Slipknot. It was released on June 29, 1999 through Roadrunner Records, after a demo containing a few of the songs had been released in 1998, and was reissued in December 1999 with a slightly altered track listing and mastering, as a result of...
, 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
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
. Slipknot vocalist Corey Taylor
Corey Taylor
Corey Todd Taylor sometimes known by the number 8, is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of Slipknot and Stone Sour. Taylor was raised by his single mother. He developed a fond feeling toward classic rock after his grandmother introduced him to it...
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 has written lead guitar parts for Slipknot's later albums particularly on All Hope is Gone. Root typically performs on lead guitar in Stone Sour, although he sometimes plays rhythm instead. 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." During the recording of Stone Sour's Audio Secrecy, he and Rand recorded their parts simultaneously.
Outside Slipknot and Stone Sour, Root has appeared on Slipknot turntablist
Turntablism
Turntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using phonograph turntables and a DJ mixer.The word 'turntablist' was coined in 1995 by DJ Babu to describe the difference between a DJ who just plays records, and one who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer...
Sid Wilson
Sid Wilson
Sidney George Wilson also known as Ratboy or DJ Sid, #0 , is an American disc jockey known as the turntablist of the Grammy Award winning band Slipknot. He is the youngest member of the band.-Biography:...
's DJ Starscream album The New Leader
The New Leader (album)
The New Leader is the first solo album from DJ Starscream. this album contains most of his Remix work with fellow N20 artists Rob Gee, and was additionally produced by General Malice, N8LOC and ODG. It was released on 22 June 2006 in Japan, and the US release date being 29 August 2006. The song...
and John 5's The Devil Knows My Name
The Devil Knows My Name
-Trivia:*"The Werewolf of Westeria" was the nickname used for the serial killer Albert Fish.*"Black Widow of La Porte" is a reference to female serial killer Belle Gunness....
, for the song "Black Widow of La Porte", and also appeared on the Roadrunner United
Roadrunner United
Roadrunner United was a project organized by the heavy metal record label Roadrunner Records to celebrate its 25th anniversary. It culminated in an album released worldwide on October 11, 2005, entitled The All-Star Sessions...
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
Jonathan Davis and the SFA
Jonathan Davis and the SFA is the solo band of Korn frontman Jonathan Davis.-History:Jonathan Davis and the SFA went on their first tour in the United States in November 2007, and a European tour in May 2008. Their debut album is planned for a release sometime in 2011 and a North American tour is...
´s cover of Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
´s "Got Money
Got Money
"Got Money" is the third single by American recording artist Lil Wayne's sixth studio album, Tha Carter III . The single features singer-songwriter T-Pain. Both T-Pain and Lil Wayne use the auto-tune effect in the song. The single was released as a digital download on iTunes on May 27, 2008...
"
Masks
Root originally used a bondage hood, from Slipknot's original guitarist Josh Brainard following his departure from the band. He had purple hair at the time and would pull parts of it through a hole in the top of the mask. After a couple of performances and one photo shoot, he decided to change masks, as the bondage hood was too uncomfortable for him and would often distract him when playing. He then began using a jester-style mask, said to represent that side of his personality. This mask was torn in places and covered in "warts", and his masks have become smoother aesthetically. His most recent variation of the mask remains jester-styled but is clean white with vertical black scars detailing around both eyes which resemble makeup worn by circus clowns, and a zipper in between black lips similar to those on the masks of percussionist Chris Fehn and sampler/keyboardist Craig Jones.Equipment
In July 2007, Fender released a Jim Root Signature Fender Telecaster guitar. This Telecaster model is available in flat black with a white pickguardPickguard
A pickguard is a piece of plastic or other laminated material that is placed under the strings on the body of a guitar, mandolin or similar plucked string instrument...
and maple neck and fingerboard
Fingerboard
The fingerboard is a part of most stringed instruments. It is a thin, long strip of material, usually wood, that is laminated to the front of the neck of an instrument and above which the strings run...
, or in flat white with a black pickguard, maple neck and ebony fingerboard. Both models feature mahogany bodies, 22 jumbo frets, a single volume control with no tone control, black hardware, and EMG humbuckers (EMG 81 in the bridge and EMG 60 in the neck). In 2010 a signature stratocaster was issued, with specs similar to his telecasters. They are available in black and white finishes. This guitar has also been used live on shows during 2009. Prior to his endorsment deal with Fender, Root had been seen using PRS, Jackson, Charvel, and Maverick electric guitars and Martin acoustic guitars as well as a wide range of effect pedals and amplifers. In a 2009 performance for Eurockeennes, Jim used a Gibson Flying V. 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.
Discography
Slipknot- 1999: SlipknotSlipknot (album)Slipknot is the debut album by American heavy metal band Slipknot. It was released on June 29, 1999 through Roadrunner Records, after a demo containing a few of the songs had been released in 1998, and was reissued in December 1999 with a slightly altered track listing and mastering, as a result of...
- 2001: IowaIowa (album)Iowa is the second album by American heavy metal band Slipknot. Released by Roadrunner Records on August 28, 2001, it was produced by Ross Robinson and Slipknot. The title derives from the band's home state, Iowa, which members have stated is one of their biggest sources of inspiration...
- 2004: Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)Vol. 3: is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Slipknot. The album was released on May 25, 2004, through Roadrunner Records, and a special edition, containing a bonus disc, was released on April 12, 2005. It is the band’s only album produced by Rick Rubin and also the only one not...
- 2005: 9.0 Live
- 2008: All Hope Is Gone
Stone Sour
- Stone SourStone Sour (album)Stone Sour is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Stone Sour. It was recorded and produced by the band and Tom Tatman at Catamount Studios in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and was released on August 27, 2002, through Roadrunner Records...
(2002) - Come What(ever) MayCome What(ever) MayCome What May is the second studio album by American alternative metal band Stone Sour. It was recorded and produced by the band and Nick Raskulinecz at Studio 606 in Los Angeles, California, and was released on August 1, 2006, through Roadrunner Records...
(2006) - Audio SecrecyAudio SecrecyAudio Secrecy is the third studio album by American rock band Stone Sour. It was recorded and produced by the band and Nick Raskulinecz at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. On June 10, the band released a free download of "Mission Statement", which was later released as a single on iTunes....
(2010)
Other appearances
- 2005: Roadrunner United - The All-Stars SessionsRoadrunner UnitedRoadrunner United was a project organized by the heavy metal record label Roadrunner Records to celebrate its 25th anniversary. It culminated in an album released worldwide on October 11, 2005, entitled The All-Star Sessions...
(Roadrunner UnitedRoadrunner UnitedRoadrunner United was a project organized by the heavy metal record label Roadrunner Records to celebrate its 25th anniversary. It culminated in an album released worldwide on October 11, 2005, entitled The All-Star Sessions...
) - 2006: The New LeaderThe New Leader (album)The New Leader is the first solo album from DJ Starscream. this album contains most of his Remix work with fellow N20 artists Rob Gee, and was additionally produced by General Malice, N8LOC and ODG. It was released on 22 June 2006 in Japan, and the US release date being 29 August 2006. The song...
(DJ StarscreamSid WilsonSidney George Wilson also known as Ratboy or DJ Sid, #0 , is an American disc jockey known as the turntablist of the Grammy Award winning band Slipknot. He is the youngest member of the band.-Biography:...
) - 2007: The Devil Knows My NameThe Devil Knows My Name-Trivia:*"The Werewolf of Westeria" was the nickname used for the serial killer Albert Fish.*"Black Widow of La Porte" is a reference to female serial killer Belle Gunness....
(John 5) - 2008: "Got MoneyGot Money"Got Money" is the third single by American recording artist Lil Wayne's sixth studio album, Tha Carter III . The single features singer-songwriter T-Pain. Both T-Pain and Lil Wayne use the auto-tune effect in the song. The single was released as a digital download on iTunes on May 27, 2008...
" (Lil WayneLil WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
remix) (Jonathan Davis and the SFAJonathan Davis and the SFAJonathan Davis and the SFA is the solo band of Korn frontman Jonathan Davis.-History:Jonathan Davis and the SFA went on their first tour in the United States in November 2007, and a European tour in May 2008. Their debut album is planned for a release sometime in 2011 and a North American tour is...
) - 2008: Pay for It (Mindless Self IndulgenceMindless Self IndulgenceMindless Self Indulgence is an American musical group formed in New York in 1997. Their music has a mixed style including rap, punk rock, alternative rock, electronica, techno and industrial...
) - 2009: "A Song for ChiA Song for Chi"A Song for Chi" is an instrumental alternative metal song recorded by several high profiled rock and metal musicians to raise money for poet and Deftones bassist Chi Cheng who was involved in a car accident in Santa Clara, CA, on November 4, 2008 which left Cheng in a coma, later it was revealed...
" (various artists)
Filmography
- 1999: Welcome to Our NeighborhoodWelcome To Our NeighborhoodWelcome to Our Neighborhood is the first video album by American metal band Slipknot. It was released on November 9, 1999 by Roadrunner Records and later reissued in DVD format on November 18, 2003...
- 2002: DisasterpiecesDisasterpiecesDisasterpieces is the second video album by American heavy metal band Slipknot. Released on November 22, 2002, a 2-disc case DVD features Slipknot performing a concert at London Dockland Arena, as well all of the band's music videos up until its release including songs from Slipknot and Iowa.The...
- 2002: RollerballRollerball (2002 film)Rollerball is a 2002 remake of the 1975 science-fiction film of the same name. This updated version stars Chris Klein, LL Cool J, Rebecca Romijn and Jean Reno, was directed by John McTiernan and has a much greater concentration on action with more muted social and political overtones...
- 2006: Voliminal: Inside the NineVoliminal: Inside the NineVoliminal: Inside the Nine is the third video album by American heavy metal band Slipknot. Released December 5, 2006 through Roadrunner Records, the 2-disc DVD set features an 84 minute movie created by band member Shawn "Clown" Crahan. The set also includes live performances, music videos from...
- 2009: Of the (sic): Your Nightmares, Our Dreams
- 2010: (sic)nesses(sic)nessesnesses is the fourth video album by American heavy metal band Slipknot, released on September 28, 2010. The double-disc release features a recording of their headlining performance at the 2009 Download Festival, along with a 45-minute behind the scenes documentary created by percussionist Shawn...
- 2011: Goat