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MEGADETH Bassist: PAUL GRAY Was 'A Wonderful Man Who Will Be Missed By Us All'

May 25, 2010

MEGADETH/HAIL! bassist David Ellefson has released the following statement regarding the passing of SLIPKNOT bassist Paul Gray:

"I was very shocked and saddened to hear of Paul Gray's passing [on Monday, May 25]. I considered him an incredible songwriter, inventive bassist, but more importantly a kind and warm friend.

"As a fellow musician, I was excited that he would be playing in HAIL! this coming month as I knew it would be a fun experience for him. I'm sad that the European audiences will not get to see him play those shows.

"I extend my condolences to his family, to SLIPKNOT and their management, as well as his many friends and fans who loved him around the world. He was another one of the 'good ones' in our business... a wonderful man who will be missed by us all."

In April 2010 it was announced that Gray had joined HAIL!, the supergroup featuring mainstays Tim "Ripper" Owens (BEYOND FEAR, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH),David Ellefson (MEGADETH) and Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA). He was supposed to replace Ellefson, who was unable to take part in HAIL!'s upcoming touring activities due to his renewed collaboration with MEGADETH. At the time, Gray stated about his involvement with HAIL!: "This is going to be amazing! After I heard the news about David reuniting with MEGADETH I touched base with Andreas and everything fell into place pretty immediately. I was excited about what they were doing and their whole attitude is just cool, old school camaraderie and fun and I wanted to share that with them. Fortunately, I had this window of time available as SLIPKNOT are on break so the timing worked perfectly. These guys have been through it all and they represent true metal brotherhood. I like that and I'm glad to now be a part of it. I can't wait, I wish we'd leave tomorrow. These shows are going to kick ass!"

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