Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM this morning near his Southern California home. Hanneman was in an area hospital when he suffered liver failure. He was 49. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister Kathy and his brothers Michael and Larry, and will be sorely missed.
In 2011 the guitarist had reportedly suffered from a spider bite on his arm which led to necrotizing fasciitis. Now word on whether this complication may have contributed to his passing.
Hanneman co-founded the thrash metal greats with Kerry King in 1981; their breakthrough came in 1986 with the landmark album Reign in Blood. Hanneman wrote or co-wrote the set’s standout tracks, Angel of Death and Raining Blood.
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In the 80s, Slayer, Megadeth, Metallica, Anthrax and any untold number of other bands were taboo—evil devil worshippers sent to lead the youth into Hell. I remember buying Reign in Blood and then checking the store every day(it had a delayed release) when South of Heaven came out. I remember listening to Peace Sells in senior Biology. It is a testament to the people that made this music and a testament to the music itself that today when a pioneer of this genre–more mainstream than people would like to admit–dies and it not only makes worldwide headlines, but was the #1 searched topic for awhile and has evoked such an outcry of emotion across multiple spectrums of peoples. It is in all honesty a sad time as the full resonance of his passing sinks in. The music of Slayer–of all these bands–will outlive us all. And whether he is in Heaven, Hell, or just chilling in the dirt, that has to give Jeff Hanneman the peaceful slumber he deserves. Thanks Jeff, for all of it.
RIP Jeff Still in shock over the news. Thanks for all the great music! I plan on blasting Slayer all night in my garage bar later…pretty sure there will be many neighbors all over the world being kept up by the sounds of his monster riffs!
RIP Jeff you will truely be missed, but I gotta wonder is Gary going to replace him full time he said that he wouldnt leave Exodus to join Slayer full time, but who knows
Have just heard the news of the passing of Jeff Hanneman. My sincere condolences to all of Jeff’s family, as well as Tom Araya, Kerry King and Dave Lombardo, and everyone else connected to Slayer. I’ve only ever seen Slayer once myself, including Jeff, which was at the Milton Keynes Bowl here in England in 1998 at the Ozzfest, and they were absolutely fantastic.
R.I.P Jeff, gone but not to be forgotten.
With all do respect to Kerry King, I always thought Jeff was a better guitarist…