Slipknot Announces Touring Bassist

SlipknotWith a handful of European dates lined up for the summer, Slipknot has announced that Donnie Steele will be acting as touring bassist in place of the late Paul Gray. The news came as a statement on the band’s website, explaining that Steele is the best fit since he was a founding guitarist in the band and was close to Paul.

“Donnie was in the band at the very beginning, and rather than get an outsider, we thought it would be a fitting tribute to Paul to play with someone from within the family,” the band said in a statement. “Donnie was great friends with Paul and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate his memory than with someone who was there with us at the very beginning. The eight of us are looking forward to being onstage again and honoring Paul’s legacy with our families in Europe and Brazil this summer.”

Gray died May of last year in a hotel room in Urbandale, Iowa. There has been much contention on the issue of replacing him, but the group announced they would play the Sonisphere Festival as a tribute to his memory.

Slipknot will also be playing the Rock in Rio Festival in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

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