Huntington Beach rock drummer James Owen Sullivan reported dead
James Owen Sullivan, the drummer for the band Avenged Sevenfold, died today, according to a statement on the band's official website.
Sullivan, 28, also performed as a backup vocalist for the band, which formed in Huntington Beach in 1999.
"It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan," read a statement on the group's website late tonight. "Jimmy was not only one of the world's best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy's family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time. Jimmy you are forever in our hearts. We love you."
The group won Best New Artist at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2006.
-- Monte Morin
EDITOR'S PICKS:
As the bass drums stay silent and the cymbals don't roar,
the snare drum sits across the floor
and as the tom toms wait for someone to hit them
the hi hat stays open.
the drumset just sits there and stays in its spot
no one to play it
no one to make it roar
as he flew away to heaven
and in his lyrics HE wrote
"I don't belong here, we gotta move on dear
Escape from this afterlife"
but be as it may that he arrived too early,
his soul will always be with us
but all we can do is to stay strong
and stay afloat
because he will always be inside of us in spirit...
and again in his words
"loved ones back are already missin me"
and it is deffinately true
and as his words flow through me, i understand what he meant
and as that song, which has gotten me through thick and thin
plays on my ipod, i think of how amazing he was.
he will always be missed...
Posted by: Matt | December 28, 2009 at 10:58 PM
We lost one of the greatest drummers! Avenged sevenfold will never be the same! RIP REV! :(
Posted by: Blendi | December 28, 2009 at 10:59 PM
oh my.....
Posted by: Fan | December 28, 2009 at 11:16 PM
This is a very heartbreaking moment for all the loved ones of jimmy. He was not only a drummer. But he was also an idol. He will always be remebered and greatly loved. R.I.P Jimmy sullivan<3
Posted by: ashley hancock | December 28, 2009 at 11:18 PM
R.I.P. The Rev <3
we'll miss you so much :(, you were honestly one of the best drummers of all time.
Posted by: a7xforever | December 28, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Who?
Posted by: West Valley Dave | December 28, 2009 at 11:34 PM
This is so sad and so tragic... I have been waiting patiently for the new album and ... I guess I feel guilty for still wanting something when someone has passed. Absolutely heartbreaking
Posted by: Willy | December 28, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Sad stuff. Awesome Band. They'll never sound the same without him. RIP Rev.
Posted by: Johnny T | December 28, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Anyone know how?
Posted by: Mat | December 28, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Say no to drugs kids.
Posted by: Steve | December 29, 2009 at 12:22 AM
So, what did he die of- suicide, overdose (same thing)? because 28 is not a 'natural' age to die of anything. rip. condolences to the family.
man, people need to start paying more attention to your loved ones and the people around you. this has got to stop!
Posted by: Inquiringmind | December 29, 2009 at 12:27 AM
Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan was a unique and amazing talent. He will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends, and his family.
RIP Jimmy. We love you.
Posted by: Susan | December 29, 2009 at 12:51 AM
REST IN PEACE JIMMY-THE REV-SULLIVAN.. YOU WHERE ONE OF THE GREATEST DRUMMERS OF ALL TIME AND THE MASTERMIND BEHIND AVENGED SEVENFOLD.. YOU WILL BE MISSED BY A7X FANS ALL OVER THE WORLD. IT WAS PURELY AN HONOR TO WATCH YOU ROCK.
Posted by: MIKE | December 29, 2009 at 12:56 AM
RIP The Rev, looks like he may have lost his life to drugs so sad.
Please leave your condolances to Jimmy Sullivan here: http://newsbizarre.com/2009/12/rip-rev-james-owen-sullivan.html
Posted by: Ryan North | December 29, 2009 at 05:12 AM
Rest in peace, the The Reverend Tholomew Plague. you will be missed.
Posted by: anonymous | December 29, 2009 at 09:11 AM
I heard he died in his sleep.
R.I.P. James Owen Sullivan.
You will be truly missed. <3
Posted by: Hayley | December 29, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Jimmy Sullivan.
His name will always be remembered my friends, family, and fans.
The only question I have here is why he had to go at such a young age. He was only 28 years young. He had such great talent. Now Avenged Sevenfold will never be the same without him. We all love you Jimmy.
Jimmy, or The Rev, had some drug addictions. They say he died of natural causes. But, is that really how he died? The autopsy still has yet to come back.
We love you Jimmy! Forever and always.
Posted by: We love you Jimmy. | December 29, 2009 at 04:58 PM
rest in peaace our dear James!
you shall always be remembered as the
worlds best most terrific drummer
you will be in our hearts forever
Posted by: Tara | December 29, 2009 at 05:23 PM
so sad, what a great artist he was.. R.I.P The Rev, I'll miss you
Posted by: Can | December 30, 2009 at 07:07 AM
I dont think he was a drug addict. him and the other's of A7X were all close friends and I know they were hard drinkers that's bout it. probably the nite before he passed he probably was sick or felt really hungover and took sum pills who knows wat or sum1 slipt sumthan into him drink the nite before... they police and reports sum1 should know right away he didnt just die of natural cause if it was natural then maybe he smoked 2 much from the time he first started smoking ganja or cigars or cigarettes who knows ya knw only the police and the people who work in the morge. He coulda died of bad lungs because they were filled with tar or watever else or he had a bad heart im sure in a week from now the morge or doctors will know .
HE WAS 1 of the best drummers EVER! I have a sugguestion to the rest of the band PLEASE DONT BREAK UP! 4 HIM DO UR ULTIMATE BEST Release 1 last album for him make it a BLOW UP! MAKE IT STAND OUT MORE THAN ANYTHING HAS EVER STAND OUT Before! Listen 2 wat I got on my mind go back to when u guys made Waken The Fallen have the lastest album sound like that but with a touch of Born Of Osiris, Fall Of Troy, and Between The Buried and Me. Talk to those guys and try 2 SHAKE THE WORLD!
Posted by: Garrett Austin | December 30, 2009 at 12:19 PM
You Were One Of The BEST drummers of ALL Time And You Will Trully Be Missed
R.I.P James Owens The Rev
Posted by: R.I.P James | January 08, 2010 at 09:34 PM
R.i.P. Rev
JAMES SULLIVAN WAS THE WORLD'S GREATEST DRUMMER.
THE REV WILL LIVE ON FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS! MY PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY && HIS FRIENDS. WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS, I CRIED. I LOVE THE REV, I LOVE THE BAND.
GONE BUT NEVER WILL FORGOTTEN!
R.i.P. REV <3
Posted by: Kate | March 12, 2010 at 12:30 PM
Ya....but in one of his videos he said to be back in 9 more years soon to be 8! -vera ; Ya! if he did that would be great....well he was great at the drums and he is alive well in whatever u people should get it...jimmy= foREVer :) -adri
Posted by: Adriana n Vera | October 25, 2010 at 10:35 PM
U'll b remembered 4ever**
Posted by: Melong lenxing | March 11, 2011 at 12:38 PM
It has been nearly two years now and things still arent the same. I sit and watch dear god's video over and over just shows how lively and happy he looked. Looks like diffrent people hide things, some better than other's. Me and the friends who listen to Avenged still believe that they don't sound the same without you.
MISSED EVERYDAY TO ME AND I'M SURE THE MEMBERS OF AVENGED SEVENFOLD AS WELL
SLEEP TIGHT JAMES OWN SULLIVAN <3 <3 <3 :'(
Posted by: shannon | April 15, 2011 at 04:40 AM