Slipknot's Sid Wilson fired after nearly 30 years: report
Slipknot's Sid Wilson fired from the band after nearly 30 years, according to a report. The DJ and keyboardist, 49, was permanently let go late Friday with no public explanation. The exit comes months after his engagement to Kelly Osbourne ended and leaves only four members from the classic lineup.
According to Page Six, citing TMZ, Wilson was notified late Friday afternoon that he had been permanently dismissed from the Grammy-winning heavy metal group. Slipknot has not publicly explained the decision, and no replacement has been announced.
The reported exit is a major shake-up for one of metal's most recognizable acts and a notable development in celebrity breaking news.
Key Takeaways
- Sid Wilson was reportedly fired from Slipknot after nearly 30 years with the band.
- He was told late Friday that the dismissal was permanent; no reason has been reported.
- Wilson joined in 1998 as member "#0," handling turntables, keyboards, samples, and effects.
- The news comes about four months after he and Kelly Osbourne called off their engagement.
- Only Corey Taylor, Shawn "Clown" Crahan, Mick Thomson, and Jim Root remain from the classic lineup.
Why was Sid Wilson fired from Slipknot?
No explanation for the decision has been reported. Page Six said it reached out to representatives for Wilson and Slipknot for comment on the reported departure.
Until the band or Wilson addresses the move, the firing remains attributed to reporting rather than an official band statement.
How long was Sid Wilson in Slipknot?
Wilson joined Slipknot in 1998 as the group's ninth member, shortly before the 1999 self-titled debut. He stayed for 28 years, performing as "#0."
His role covered turntables, keyboards, samples, and sound effects on hits associated with the band, including "Duality." Outside Slipknot, he also toured as DJ Starscream.
In August 2024, Wilson suffered severe burns to his face and arms after an explosion at the farm he shared with Osbourne. He later showed fans the injuries and said he was recovering.
How does Kelly Osbourne factor into the timing?
Wilson's reported firing comes about four months after he and Osbourne ended their engagement following roughly four years together. The split was reported in March.
They share a 3-year-old son, Sidney, born in November 2022. The pair first met in 1999 when Slipknot played Ozzfest, but they did not begin dating until decades later.
Wilson proposed backstage in July 2025 during Ozzy Osbourne's Black Sabbath farewell concert in Birmingham, England, weeks before the rock icon's death.
What does this mean for Slipknot's lineup now?
Wilson's exit is another major change for a roster that has steadily shrunk. Keyboardist Craig Jones and percussionist Chris Fehn have left; bassist Paul Gray died in 2010, and drummer Joey Jordison died in 2021.
Today, only singer Corey Taylor, percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan, and guitarists Mick Thomson and Jim Root remain from the classic post-1999 nine-member lineup. Formed in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1995, Slipknot built its reputation on masks, intense live shows, and hits such as "Duality" and "Psychosocial."