:Bob Bryar

Bryar was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 31, 1979.{{cite magazine|title=Bob Bryar – Biography|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/1484933/bob-bryar/biography|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 14, 2016|archive-date=September 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910114502/http://www.billboard.com/artist/1484933/bob-bryar/biography|url-status=dead}} He started playing drums at a young age, performing in his school's marching and jazz bands. One notable influence on Bryar was Rush drummer Neil Peart.{{cite news|url=https://myfox8.com/news/entertainment/bob-bryar-former-my-chemical-romance-drummer-dies-at-44/|title=Bob Bryar, former My Chemical Romance drummer, dies at 44|first=Michaela|last=Ratliff|publisher=WGHP|date=November 30, 2024|accessdate=November 30, 2024}} After graduation, Bryar studied for a degree in sound engineering at the University of Florida.

Bryar was originally a tour manager and sound engineer.{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=William |date=November 30, 2024 |title=R.I.P. Bob Bryar, former My Chemical Romance drummer |url=https://www.avclub.com/r-i-p-bob-bryar-my-chemical-romance-drummer |access-date=November 30, 2024 |website=The A.V. Club}} In 2000, Bryar began working as a touring sound engineer for rock bands including The Used and Thrice. During this time, he befriended My Chemical Romance while the band was on tour with The Used in 2004. Bryar quit his then job on the Projekt Revolution tour to become the drummer for My Chemical Romance when the band was holding a tour in Japan,{{cite web|title=My Chemical Romance drummer Bob Bryar leaves band|url=http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/50061|publisher=NME|access-date=June 15, 2016}} officially replacing former drummer Matt Pelissier shortly after the release of the band's second studio album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004).{{Cite web |last=Apar |first=Corey |title=Bob Bryar Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bob-bryar-mn0000913442 |access-date=November 30, 2024 |publisher=AllMusic}}{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/my-chemical-romance-mn0000520545/biography|title=My Chemical Romance Bio|website=AllMusic}} Bryar concurrently relearned how to play drums, having not played in years since becoming a soundman full-time, as he quickly learned the band's repertoire to tour.

Bryar was featured in all of the music videos for Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (except the first version of the video for "I'm Not Okay"; he was featured in the second version), and also performed on all of the subsequent releases in support of the album including Life on the Murder Scene and ¡Venganza!. Bryar performed on, recorded and co-wrote My Chemical Romance's third studio album The Black Parade (2006). The album was favored by music critics and was a commercial success, being awarded double platinum status in the United Kingdom and the United States. Bryar and lead vocalist Gerard Way were injured during the filming of the music video for "Famous Last Words" directed by Samuel Bayer, with Bryar suffering third-degree burns on his hands and legs after he caught fire when he was too close to the flames.{{cite book|title=Spin magazine: The State of Music|date=February 2007|publisher=Spin|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_G-FewpAsvB0C/page/n52 57]|edition=February 2007|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_G-FewpAsvB0C|quote=bob bryar third degree.}} Their injuries caused the band to cancel their performance at the San Diego Street Scene festival.{{cite web|last1=Montgomery|first1=James|title=MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE EXPLAIN INJURIES, MISSED STREET SCENE GIG|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1538296/my-chemical-romance-explain-injuries-missed-street-scene-gig/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306213702/http://www.mtv.com/news/1538296/my-chemical-romance-explain-injuries-missed-street-scene-gig/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 6, 2015|publisher=MTV|access-date=June 15, 2016}}{{cite magazine|title=My Chemical Romance Comes Clean About Injuries|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57561/my-chemical-romance-comes-clean-about-injuries|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 30, 2016}} A month later, the band missed two tour dates after Bryar was hospitalized with a staph infection also caused during the filming of the music video. The band released a statement two days later, apologizing for cancelling shows, stating that they "want to be by his side the whole time".{{cite web|last1=Kaufman|first1=Gil|title=MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE CANCEL SHOWS AFTER DRUMMER IS HOSPITALIZED|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1540106/my-chemical-romance-cancel-shows-after-drummer-is-hospitalized/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818231456/http://www.mtv.com/news/1540106/my-chemical-romance-cancel-shows-after-drummer-is-hospitalized/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 18, 2015|publisher=MTV|access-date=June 15, 2016}}{{cite web|last1=Bychawski|first1=Adam|title=My Chemical Romance cancel shows|url=http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/24201|publisher=NME|access-date=June 15, 2016}}

When the band went on The Black Parade World Tour in support of the album in February 2007, Bryar began having complications in his wrist in November, causing the band to cancel their show in Maine. In response to his injuries, Bryar apologized on the band's MySpace, explaining that he has had problems with his wrist "over the past few years", and that he received a "golf ball-sized lump" in his wrist and began to "lose control and feeling in [his] fingers".{{cite web|last1=Bychawski|first1=Adam|title=My Chemical Romance drummer explains wrist problems|date=November 12, 2007|url=http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/32468|publisher=NME|access-date=June 15, 2016}} He sat out for the tour and the band continued with Pete Parada as his temporary replacement.{{cite web|last1=Bryant|first1=Tom|title=8 of the best My Chemical Romance songs featuring different drummers|date=August 16, 2015|url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2015-08-16/8-of-the-best-my-chemical-romance-songs-featuring-different-drummers|publisher=TeamRock|access-date=June 15, 2016}} Although Bryar was unable to perform, he continued to tour with the band and assist with pyrotechnics and returned for the last leg of the tour in January 2008.{{cite web|title=My Chemical Romance lose another member|url=http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/32518|publisher=NME|access-date=June 15, 2016}}

My Chemical Romance reentered the studio in 2009 to record their fourth studio album with producer Brendan O'Brien. On July 31 and August 1, they played two "secret" shows at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, performing unreleased material from their upcoming album, including a song titled "Death Before Disco".{{cite web|title=EXCLUSIVE: MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE'S NEW ALBUM IS A 'LOVE LETTER TO ROCK AND ROLL|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1617488/exclusive-my-chemical-romances-new-album-is-a-love-letter-to-rock-and-roll/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713024234/http://www.mtv.com/news/1617488/exclusive-my-chemical-romances-new-album-is-a-love-letter-to-rock-and-roll/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 13, 2014|publisher=MTV|access-date=June 16, 2016}}

On March 3, 2010, rhythm guitarist Frank Iero announced on their official website that Bryar had departed from the band, writing:

{{blockquote|"As of 4 weeks ago, My Chemical Romance and Bob Bryar parted ways. This was a painful decision for all of us to make and was not taken lightly. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors and expect you all to do the same."{{cite web|title=MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE PART WAYS WITH DRUMMER BOB BRYAR|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1633159/my-chemical-romance-part-ways-with-drummer-bob-bryar/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104072235/http://www.mtv.com/news/1633159/my-chemical-romance-part-ways-with-drummer-bob-bryar/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 4, 2014|publisher=MTV|access-date=15 June 2016}}{{cite magazine|last1=Paine|first1=Kelsey|title=My Chemical Romance Splits With Drummer|url=http://www.spin.com/2010/03/my-chemical-romance-splits-drummer-bob-bryar/|magazine=Spin|access-date=June 18, 2016}}{{cite magazine|title=My Chemical Romance Drummer Departs|url=http://clashmusic.com/news/my-chemical-romance-drummer-departs|magazine=Clash|access-date=June 30, 2016}}}}

In a 2024 tribute following Bryar's death, Iero revealed that before Bryar's departure from the band, he suffered a devastating loss when one of his dogs was killed after being scammed by a dog trainer. Iero explained that the incident was a turning point in Bryar's relationship with the band, stating that "he just couldn't keep it together anymore" and that his "sadness, anger and distrust were too much to handle and took over all aspects."{{cite web |last1=Peters |first1=Daniel |title=My Chemical Romance's Frank Iero pays tribute to late ex-drummer Bob Bryar: "I don't think I ever got to tell him I was sorry" |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/my-chemical-romances-frank-iero-pays-tribute-to-late-ex-drummer-bob-bryar-i-dont-think-i-ever-got-to-tell-him-i-was-sorry-3818536 |website=NME |date=December 4, 2024 |access-date=15 December 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Nattress |first1=Katrina |title=Frank Iero Pens Emotional Tribute To Late MCR Drummer: 'Doesn't Feel Real' |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2024-12-04-frank-iero-pens-emotional-tribute-to-late-mcr-drummer-doesnt-feel-real/ |website=iHeartRadio |access-date=15 December 2024}}

Bryar remains the band's longest serving drummer as of November 2024,{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bob-bryar-dead-former-my-chemical-romance-drummer-dies-obituary-1235841430/|title=Bob Bryar, Former My Chemical Romance Drummer, Dies at 44|first=Mitchell|last=Peters|publisher=Billboard|date=November 30, 2024|accessdate=November 30, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/bob-bryar-dies-44-my-chemical-romance-drummer-1236190263/|title=Bob Bryar Dies: My Chemical Romance Drummer Was 44|first=Glenn|last=Garner|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 30, 2024|access-date=November 30, 2024}} with the band also not having a full-time drummer since Bryar's departure.{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/my-chemical-romance-drummer-bob-bryar-dies-aged-44-b1197337.html|title=My Chemical Romance drummer Bob Bryar found dead in US home aged 44|first=William|last=Mata|publisher=The Standard|date=November 30, 2024|accessdate=November 30, 2024}}

The band released their fourth studio album Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys in 2010, with Bryar being credited as a songwriter on five songs including the singles "Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)" and "The Only Hope for Me Is You".{{cite AV media notes|title=Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys|others=My Chemical Romance |year=2010 |type=Booklet |publisher=Reprise/Sire|id=9362-49618-3}}{{Cite web |last=Coulston |first=John Connor |date=November 29, 2024 |title=My Chemical Romance's Bob Bryar Found Dead in Tennessee |url=https://popculture.com/music/news/my-chemical-romances-bob-bryar-found-dead-in-tennessee/ |access-date=November 30, 2024 |website=PopCulture.com}}

The band released Conventional Weapons, a compilation album consisting of ten unreleased songs that were recorded in 2009, prior to Bryar's departure and the making of Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, all of which include Bryar performing drums. They released two songs each month from October 2012 to February 2013.{{cite web|title=My Chemical Romance to release 10 new songs over the next five months|date=September 17, 2012|url=http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/66155|publisher=NME|access-date=June 15, 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.mychemicalromance.com/news/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225101555/http://www.mychemicalromance.com/blog/frank/conventional-weapons/?cmpid=20120914%2Fmcr%2Ffb%2Fcwannounce%2Fnews |archive-date=December 25, 2012 |title=Conventional Weapons |date=September 14, 2012 |access-date=June 16, 2016 |url-status=dead }} My Chemical Romance disbanded in March 2013.{{cite news|title=My Chemical Romance Split Announced As Band Thanks Fans|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/23/my-chemical-romance-split-band_n_2939440.html|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=June 30, 2016|date=March 23, 2013}}

After his departure from My Chemical Romance, Bryar continued being involved in the music business as a behind-the-scenes figure in tours for several bands.{{cite web |last1=Pettigrew |first1=Jason |title=Bob Bryar (ex-My Chemical Romance) on Neil Peart, Joking with Rush |url=https://www.altpress.com/features/bob-bryar-my-chemical-romance-neil-peart-rush/ |website=Alternative Press |date=January 13, 2020 |access-date=January 20, 2020}} On October 2, 2014, Bryar announced his departure from music, subsequently becoming a real estate agent.{{cite web|title=bob bryar on Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/bobbryar/status/517737098376675328|website=Twitter|access-date=June 18, 2016|quote=I'm officially withdrawing myself from the music business. real estate classes start on monday!}} However, in February 2015, he announced his interest in returning to music.{{cite magazine |last1=Crane |first1=Matt |date=February 25, 2015 |title=Ex-My Chemical Romance drummer was "angry, suicidal" after getting kicked out |url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/ex_my_chemical_romance_drummer_was_angry_suicidal_after_getting_kicked_out |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531063825/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/ex_my_chemical_romance_drummer_was_angry_suicidal_after_getting_kicked_out |archive-date=May 31, 2016 |access-date=June 15, 2016 |magazine=Alternative Press}}{{cite magazine |last=Carter |first=Emily |date=February 26, 2015 |title=BOB BRYAR "SUICIDAL" AFTER BEING KICKED OUT OF MCR |url=http://www.kerrang.com/28860/bob-bryar-suicidal-kicked-mcr/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624210535/http://www.kerrang.com/28860/bob-bryar-suicidal-kicked-mcr |archive-date=June 24, 2016 |access-date=June 15, 2016 |magazine=Kerrang!}}

On July 20, 2016, My Chemical Romance posted on their official Twitter and Facebook pages a video with the piano intro from "Welcome to the Black Parade", ending with a cryptic date, "9/23/16".{{cite magazine|title=Are My Chemical Romance Getting Back Together?|url=http://www.kerrang.com/44497/chemical-romance-getting-back-together/|magazine=Kerrang!|access-date=July 20, 2016}}{{cite magazine|title=My Chemical Romance post new logo and cryptic date|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/my_chemical_romance_post_new_logo_and_cryptic_date|magazine=Alternative Press|access-date=July 20, 2016}} The video was also published on the band's YouTube channel with the video titled "MCRX".{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wIKQS9Df48|title=MCRX|date=July 20, 2016|via=YouTube}} This led to numerous rumors and reports on the band's possible reunion until it was revealed to be a reissue of The Black Parade with unreleased demos.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/20/my-chemical-romance-tease-september|title=My Chemical Romance reissuing famed album The Black Parade after cryptic tweet|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|author=Bacle, Ariana |date=July 20, 2016 |access-date=July 21, 2016}}{{cite magazine|url=https://consequence.net/2016/07/my-chemical-romance-hint-at-reunion-for-10th-anniversary-of-the-black-parade/|title=My Chemical Romance hint at reunion for 10th anniversary of The Black Parade|magazine=Consequence of Sound|author=Brennan, Collin |date=July 20, 2016 |access-date=July 21, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/95157|title=Is the My Chemical Romance comeback a 10th anniversary 'The Black Parade' reissue?|publisher=NME|author=Britton, Luke Morgan|date=July 21, 2016 |access-date=July 21, 2016}} The reissue, titled The Black Parade/Living with Ghosts,{{cite magazine|title=My Chemical Romance to Release 'The Black Parade' Deluxe Reissue|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/my-chemical-romance-to-release-the-black-parade-deluxe-reissue-w431683|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=July 30, 2016}} includes 11 demos and live tracks.{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/95310|title=Stream My Chemical Romance's previously unreleased track 'The Five Of Us Are Dying'|publisher=NME|author=Britton, Luke Morgan|date=July 29, 2016 |access-date=July 29, 2016}} In September 2016, Bryar was featured in an exclusive interview with Alternative Press to promote the new album. In his first interview since departing from the band, Bryar recalled multiple memories of recording and touring The Black Parade.{{cite magazine|title=Exclusive: Ex-MCR drummer shares his memories of recording 'The Black Parade'|url=http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/bob_bryar_met_lil_jon_got_spooked_by_ghosts_was_burned_alive_and_played_dru|magazine=Alternative Press|access-date=December 5, 2016}}

In January 2020, Bryar participated in a remembrance for then recently-deceased Rush drummer Neil Peart, recalling his "teenage obsession" and friendship with Peart. In June 2021, Bryar announced that he had officially retired from drumming, citing his ongoing wrist issues, age, weight, and his desire to pursue "something new."{{cite web |last1=DiVita |first1=Joe |title=Ex-My Chemical Romance Drummer Bob Bryar Auctioning 'Helena' Drum Kit |url=https://loudwire.com/bob-bryar-auction-my-chemical-romance-helena-drum-kit/ |website=Loudwire |date=June 28, 2021 |access-date=June 28, 2021}}

During his time with My Chemical Romance, Bryar was known for using kits made by C&C, a custom drum company based in Gladstone, Missouri, paired with Sabian "Paragon" cymbals and Remo heads. Bryar played Vic Firth's "ROCK" sticks, until switching to Vater's "XD-Rock" sticks in 2007.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

Following his departure from My Chemical Romance, Bryar was active in dog rescue charities and sanctuaries. In June 2021, Bryar auctioned his Helena-themed drum kit on eBay and dedicated the money to the Williamson County Animal Control and Adoption Center located in Franklin, Tennessee.{{cite web |last1=Bryar |first1=Bob |title=Bob Bryar on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/bobbryar/status/1409348892391624706 |website=Twitter |access-date=June 28, 2021}} In October 2022, Bryar auctioned his uniform from The Black Parade on eBay and dedicated the money to abandoned and sheltered animals in Florida and South Carolina that were affected by Hurricane Ian, stating that "it's just sitting in a box doing nothing and people need help with money right now."{{cite web |title=Ex-My Chemical Romance drummer Bob Bryar selling 'The Black Parade' uniform on eBay |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/ex-my-chemical-romance-drummer-bob-bryar-selling-the-black-parade-uniform-on-ebay-3335202 |website=NME |date=October 25, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022}}

Bryar was last seen alive on November 4, 2024. On November 26, Bryar was found dead in his Tennessee home. According to his obituary, he died two days earlier.{{cite web|first=Scoop|last=Harrison|url=https://consequence.net/2024/11/bob-bryar-my-chemical-romance-drummer-dead/|title=Bob Bryar, Former My Chemical Romance Drummer, Dead at 44|work=Consequence|date=November 29, 2024|access-date=November 30, 2024}} In March 2025, details of Bryar's autopsy report were released, indicating that, due to significant decomposition, the cause of death could not be determined.{{cite news|first=August|last=Brown|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-03-03/nitrous-oxide-tanks-found-beside-late-my-chemical-romance-drummer-bob-bryar|title=Nitrous oxide tanks found beside late My Chemical Romance drummer Bob Bryar|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=March 3, 2025|access-date=March 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305003816/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-03-03/nitrous-oxide-tanks-found-beside-late-my-chemical-romance-drummer-bob-bryar|archive-date=March 5, 2025|url-status=live}} My Chemical Romance paid tribute to Bryar through social media, calling him an "important part of the history of My Chemical Romance".https://www.instagram.com/p/DDFzbIjzhkD/

My Chemical Romance

{{main|My Chemical Romance discography}}

• "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (2004; Mariah Carey cover)
• "Under Pressure" (2005; with The Used; Queen/David Bowie cover)
• Warped Tour Bootleg Series (2005)
• Life on the Murder Scene (2006)
• The Black Parade (2006)
• Live and Rare (2007)
• AOL Sessions (2007)
• The Black Parade Is Dead! (2008)
• The Black Parade: The B-Sides (2009)
• ¡Venganza! (2009)
• Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (2010; credit only)
• Conventional Weapons (2012–2013)Conventional Weapons consisted of ten songs total, with the band releasing two songs each month from October 2012 to February 2013.
• May Death Never Stop You (2014; greatest hits album)
• The Black Parade/Living with Ghosts (2016; The Black Parade reissue){{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bob-bryar-mn0000913442/credits|title=Bob Bryar Bio|website=AllMusic}}

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• [https://www.mychemicalromance.com My Chemical Romance official website]
• {{Instagram|bcbryar}}
• {{IMDb name | 2431569}}
• {{discogs artist|Bob Bryar}}

{{My Chemical Romance}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bryar, Bob}}

Category:1979 births

Category:2024 deaths

Category:American audio engineers

Category:American male drummers

Category:American music managers

Category:American male songwriters

Category:American real estate brokers

Category:American alternative rock drummers

Category:American punk rock drummers

Category:Drummers from Chicago

Category:My Chemical Romance members

Category:20th-century American drummers

Category:21st-century American drummers

Category:Burn survivors

Category:University of Florida alumni