Echoes of a Fallen Titan: Chris Fehn Reflects on Joey Jordison's Legacy
In a raw and revealing chat with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station, Chris Fehn, the former percussionist of SLIPKNOT, opened up about his complex relationship with the late drumming virtuoso Joey Jordison. Fehn, who stood alongside Jordison during the chaotic rise of SLIPKNOT, described the experience of sharing the stage with such a titan as "intimidating." He recalled watching Jordison in the studio, marveling at his phenomenal skill set, and admitting, "What am I gonna do? This guy can cover everything. He's just a phenomenon." The bond forged in the fires of creativity was palpable, as Fehn reminisced about how they would weave percussive elements into Jordison's frenzied drumming chaos, stating, "It was cool to do. Really cool. I miss that dude a ton."
Fehn did not hold back in his admiration, praising Jordison’s ability to blend sheer power with technical finesse. "Unbelievable how hard he hit, but yet how smooth he could be and technical," Fehn asserted, recounting moments during soundchecks where Jordison would seamlessly shift into jazz rhythms, leaving everyone in awe. The weight of loss hangs heavy in the air as Fehn reflects on the void left by his friend and collaborator.
When the conversation turned to touring, Fehn's tone shifted. "I'm just living life. I don't miss it right now," he confessed, hinting at the physical toll the music scene has taken on him. With injuries now part of his reality, he expressed uncertainty about whether he could ever perform at the level he once did. For now, he finds solace in the role of a father, stepping back from the relentless grind of the road.
The shadows of a turbulent past loom large as Fehn also revisited his contentious split from SLIPKNOT. After nearly two decades of service, he was dismissed in 2019 amid a storm of legal battles concerning compensation and transparency regarding the band's finances. The lawsuit he filed against his former bandmates, accusing them of shady financial maneuvers, ultimately concluded in a settlement that remains shrouded in secrecy, a testament to the often-hidden struggles within the metal community.
Following Fehn's departure, SLIPKNOT quickly moved on, introducing a new percussionist known as "Tortilla Man," later unveiled as Michael Pfaff. As the band continues to push boundaries with their latest album, "The End, So Far," released in September 2022, the echoes of Jordison's legacy resonate through their music. For Fehn, those echoes also serve as a poignant reminder of what once was and what could have been.