No cause of death for Avenged Sevenfold drummer Jimmy Sullivan; toxicology tests ordered
Sullivan, 28, was found dead Monday at his home in Huntington Beach. Police in that city said there were no signs of foul play. The coroner ordered toxicology and other lab tests, which is fairly common in cases where a cause of death is not apparent.
Sullivan was born Feb. 9, 1981, and befriended the future members of the group, whose name often is short-handed as A7X, while they were in high school together.
"It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan," the other four band members said in a statement posted Tuesday on the group's website. "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."Early this decade, the group built a strong local following playing in clubs and releasing recordings on small, independent record labels. A7X established a national audience with the 2005 release of its major-label debut for Warner Bros. Records, "City of Evil," which has sold just shy of 1 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
-- Shelby Grad
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James 'The Rev' Sullivan dies at 28; drummer for heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold
EDITOR'S PICKS:
im am very upset about this as welll and i will have him ion my prayers R.I.P Jimmy
Posted by: KIrsti | December 30, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Damn..what a loss.
This guy was an awesome drummer, and a good man from what I read about him.
Hope your in the clouds drumming the heavens, my friend.
*cranks up "Eternal Rest"*
We will miss you
Posted by: Jackal | December 30, 2009 at 08:53 AM
Its crazy to believe that James "The Rev" Sullivan is gone. He was an amazing drummer and his death will and has effected many out there. His music will live on through the fans and it will be nearly impossible to replace him.
Posted by: Cassie Morehead | December 30, 2009 at 08:58 AM
His birthay is feb. 10
Posted by: Miranda | December 30, 2009 at 09:27 AM
thats crap :(
Posted by: Chris | December 30, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Double check the area around his nose......
Posted by: theidahokid | December 30, 2009 at 11:14 AM
wasn't he born on feb. 10th, and not 9th??
Posted by: Dayra | December 30, 2009 at 11:33 AM
he was an amazing drummer and was one of the best in the world my praiers go out to him and his freinds and family he will be deeply missed i pray he finds peace in the afterlife <3
Posted by: savannah | December 30, 2009 at 01:03 PM
The Rev. possibly was one of the best drummers alive. It's really depressing that such a great band lost such a great addition. RIP Jimmy
Posted by: Louis Gerdon | December 30, 2009 at 01:06 PM
Everyone will miss The Rev. Jimmy was the best. I just hope I can keep his drum set... kidding. But no seriously he was awesome. I just really want to see his face one last time.
Posted by: Zacky Vengeance | December 30, 2009 at 01:53 PM
No thought was quickly passed a friend ... goodbye friend .. "I gave my heart to you"
Posted by: Kindern | December 30, 2009 at 06:43 PM
I meant to put the word care in there after don't. RIP The Rev, you will be missed.
Posted by: slipknotfan515 | December 30, 2009 at 06:46 PM
Wow! They have been my favorite band since I was 9 years old. I never thought something like this would happen. Not anytime soon, anyway! It's really hard to believe. And even thought I did not know the band personally, they mean a lot to me, and their music is a HUGE part of my life. Jimmy was a great drummer, and all around awesome guy. It honestly feels like their is an empty hole that can't be filled. I just can't get it out of my head. Noone will ever be as good a drummer as him, and as we all know, there is not one single person in this world who could replace him. I feel for his family, and Avenged sevenfold also. It is truly a great loss. Jimmy will be greatly missed.
And to Smear: Yea, what a geat fuckin' thing to say. Just because you don't think he is a good drummer? Really? You just need to sit there, and keep your mouth shut. Just think; what if that was someone close to you? Maybe then, you wouldn't say something like that.
Posted by: Brittany | December 30, 2009 at 07:21 PM
My name is aj and I had the liberty of meeting The Rev only once. The band was on tour and they stopped in west branch, ia so the rev could get something to eat at mcdonalds. i knew who he was automatically, and for being such a good srvice person to him, he gave me a free cd which i will never get rid of as a memory of the rev. We will miss you old friend.
Posted by: Andrew Richardson | December 30, 2009 at 08:59 PM
RIP Jimmy Sullivan.
This was very unexpected. I didn't listen to the band all that much, but he was a really good drummer from what I did listen to. Seemed like a cool guy, as well...so, this is quite a loss for some...or most.
SMEAR: Someone's a selfish little kid.
Idahokid: Failed attempt at being funny.
Posted by: Jared A. | December 31, 2009 at 12:53 AM
Jimmy will be sadly missed but the best anyone can do is be happy that he is in a place of no suffering. He is in his Afterlife. In my opinion Jimmy was one of the best drummers I have heard. So on that note. RIP Jimmy and Rock on. Peace and Eternal Life
Posted by: Tyf | December 31, 2009 at 01:45 AM
R.I.P.
The world has lost an amazing musician <3 .
Posted by: Emmyy | December 31, 2009 at 03:53 AM
See you later buddy...
Posted by: Phreak | December 31, 2009 at 07:02 AM
How could this happen?
My best wishes go out to the band and crew and hopes for them dealing with this loss.
No one could fill Rev's place in the band and in our hearts.
R.I.P. Jimmy
And as Jackal said: Crank up some Eternal Rest.
Posted by: Zack | December 31, 2009 at 07:35 AM
its a sad loss and, my prayers go out to the revs family and friends during this extremely difficult time
his music will be remembered for ever!
Posted by: Nikita Mackeen | December 31, 2009 at 08:24 AM
R.I.P. Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan
We will miss you and are at a great lose without you.
I hope A7x does not let this end them, though we can never replace Jimmy.
Posted by: Kat | December 31, 2009 at 02:53 PM
The passing of Jimmy was heart breaking to hear. I was very upset. All good people just have to die young for some reason. This is really weird to hear but some people said he OD on cocain and that he was addicted to that drug. What i beleive is that he didnt and god just needed another angel. He was the best drummer I knew in my 14 year old lifetime.
R.I.P Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan. You will be missed
Feb. 9, 1981- Dec. 30, 2009
Posted by: Jake Humphrey | December 31, 2009 at 03:51 PM
This seriously sucks. I can't believe that he's actually gone... Only 28 and unexpectedly dying. First Steve Irwin, then Micheal Jackson, then Billy Mays, now this!? Everyone who's badass is leaving us! Hopefully the guys will write an awesome song in his memory and decide to keep playing.
Posted by: Caroline | December 31, 2009 at 06:56 PM
I'm aware that some of you aren't fans of the band, but please keep the negative comments to yourselves. He was still a person and he had a family, so be respectful during this time and just keep your mouths closed.
Posted by: None of your business | January 01, 2010 at 10:59 AM
the rev was one of the worlds best drummers and he will be sadley missed by all of his fans.
he was a big influence on all aspects of metal and we all as fans will miss him a HELL of a lot.
now that he has passed away his memory will live on through avenged sevenfold's music and also the fans.
my heart goes out to the band and also jimmy's family and friends.
R.I.P jimmy we all love you
Posted by: Adam Archer | January 01, 2010 at 01:38 PM