We have sad news to report as Saliva guitarist Wayne Swinny has died at the age of 59. The news was confirmed by the band, with singer Bobby Amaru issuing a statement. Earlier today (March 22), it was revealed that Swinny had been taken to the ICU after suffering a brain hemorrhage on Tuesday morning (March 21). The band had been out on tour in support of their recent single, “High on Me.”
“I’m not even sure what to think or how to feel right now. My heart aches for Wayne’s family, his friends, and anyone who had the joy of being around him,” revealed the singer. “My heart aches for his daughter Nikki. He loved that little girl so much. He was a Guitar Hero onstage with all the Rock ‘N’ Roll swag that most guitar players dream of. Offstage he was a proud father, an Ancient Aliens expert, and an incredible human who had zero enemies! He would go out of his way to make sure you had a good time.”
“I’m grateful that I got to share almost 12 years of my life with Wayne on the stage and most importantly off the stage,” continued the vocalist. “He was the older brother I never had. I learned so much from him and we had a fucking blast together! I will cherish it all for the rest of my life! God Bless you Wayne. I know we’ll meet again!!”
Swinny had been a part of Saliva for over 20 years, joining the band in 1998 and playing on their most successful albums, including “Every Six Seconds” and “Back into Your System.”
Born on August 20, 1974, in Memphis, Tennessee, Swinny began playing guitar at a young age and was heavily influenced by the blues and rock music of the 1970s and 1980s. He moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in the early 1990s and joined Saliva after responding to an ad the band had placed for a lead guitarist.
Swinny’s contributions to Saliva’s music were significant, with his intricate guitar work and creative solos helping to define the band’s sound. He also played a key role in the songwriting process, co-writing many of the band’s most popular songs.
Saliva’s debut album, “Every Six Seconds,” was released in 2001 and went on to achieve platinum status, thanks in part to the success of the hit single “Your Disease,” which Swinny co-wrote. The band’s follow-up album, “Back into Your System,” was also a commercial success, featuring the hit singles “Always” and “Rest in Pieces,” both of which Swinny co-wrote.
Over the course of his career with Saliva, Swinny received several accolades, including a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2002 for “Your Disease” and an American Music Award nomination for Favorite Alternative New Artist in 2002.
In addition to his work with Saliva, Swinny also contributed to several other projects, including playing on the debut album of the rock band Red Sun Rising.
Swinny’s death is a significant loss for the rock music community and for Saliva fans worldwide. His contributions to the band’s music and his creative guitar work will continue to be celebrated and appreciated by fans for years to come.
RIP Wayne Swinney
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