Corey Taylor

Corey Todd Taylor was born on December 8, 1973, in Des Moines, Iowa.[http://www.movietome.com/people/221141/corey-taylor/index.html Corey Taylor Information, Photos, and Trivia at MovieTome] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207043301/http://www.movietome.com/people/221141/corey-taylor/index.html |date=December 7, 2008 }} Movietome.com. Retrieved April 1, 2010.{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|p=26}} He was mostly raised by his single mother in Waterloo, Iowa, and described it as a "hole in the ground with buildings around it". He is of German, Irish and Native American descent on his father's side, and Dutch and Irish on his mother's side.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/slipknot-s-corey-taylor-on-paul-gray-the-new-tour-and-staying-in-for-the-long-haul-1.2060297|title=Slipknot's Corey Taylor on Paul Gray, the new tour, and staying in for the long haul|date=January 9, 2015|newspaper=The Irish Times}} Taylor, along with his mother and younger half-sister, would often move around the country in search for job prospects. By the time he was 15, he had "already lived in 25 states".{{cite web | url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/corey-taylor-face | title=Corey Taylor: Slipknot and Stone Sour Frontman Goes Deep on His Dark Past | date=June 2007 }} Around 1979, Taylor and his mother saw the sci-fi series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Before the series, there was a trailer for the 1978 horror film Halloween. Taylor said this "developed some sense of Slipknot in [himself]". While Halloween introduced Taylor to masks and horror themes, Taylor's grandmother introduced him to rock music, showing him a collection of Elvis Presley records from the 1950s to 1970s. He especially found songs like "Teddy Bear", "In the Ghetto", and "Suspicious Minds" to appeal to his interests the most, describing them as "good times". Taylor also began listening to Black Sabbath at a young age, beginning with their early work. He decided he wanted to become a singer when he and his cousin were singing along to Journey's "Separate Ways".{{cite news | url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/corey-taylor-face | title=Corey Taylor: Slipknot and Stone Sour Frontman Goes Deep on His Dark Past | newspaper=Revolver | date=June 2007 }}

In 1983, when he was nine years old, his mother and her boyfriend moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to become security guards for Burt Reynolds' ranch. However, as they were driving there, they got stranded in Georgia and he lost some of his possessions. By age 15, he had developed a drug addiction and had overdosed on cocaine twice.{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|p=27}}{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|p=25}} By this time, he was living in Waterloo, but some time after this overdose, he returned to visit his grandmother in Des Moines, and according to Taylor, "stayed and never went back [to his mother's house]." She took legal custody of him so that he could continue going to school, and she helped him buy musical equipment. He would later describe his grandmother as his "strongest influence" as well as his "rock, foundation and stability."{{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/corey-taylor-mourns-loss-of-grandmother-who-raised-him | title=COREY TAYLOR Mourns Loss of Grandmother Who Raised Him | date=September 11, 2018 }}{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|p=28}} When Taylor was 18, he left his grandmother's house and went to various places in Iowa, Des Moines being a place to which he frequently returned.{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|p=29}} Taylor attended Lincoln High School in Des Moines but did not graduate. He later earned his GED.{{cite web | url=https://americansongwriter.com/after-years-of-wondering-and-growing-corey-taylor-took-his-shot-at-a-solo-record/ | title=After Years of Wondering and Growing, Corey Taylor Took His Shot at a Solo Record | date=September 21, 2020 }}

In 2017, on an episode of Viceland's The Therapist, Taylor revealed that he was sexually abused at the age of 10 by a 16-year-old friend. Taylor stated that he never told anyone about the incident until he was "probably 18" because his abuser had "...threatened to hurt me and threatened to hurt my mom".{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/corey-taylor-sexually-assaulted-age-10/ |title=Corey Taylor Opens Up About Being Sexually Assaulted at Age 10 |website=Loudwire |date=May 26, 2017 |access-date=October 28, 2017}} At age 18, when Taylor was living with his grandmother, he attempted suicide by way of overdose. His ex-girlfriend's mother drove him to the hospital in Des Moines and doctors were able to resuscitate him. He describes this as the lowest point in his life.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/corey-taylor-opens-up-depression-attempted-suicide/|title=Corey Taylor Opens Up About Depression + Attempted Suicide|work=Loudwire|date=October 23, 2014 }}

{{Main|Stone Sour}}

File:StoneSour2010.jpg

Taylor is a founding member of American hard rock band Stone Sour. After he formed the band in 1992{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1456042/corey-taylor-insists-his-other-band-is-no-slipknot-jr/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204205402/http://www.mtv.com/news/1456042/corey-taylor-insists-his-other-band-is-no-slipknot-jr/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 4, 2014 |title=Corey Taylor Insists His Other Band Is No Slipknot Jr. |website=MTV |access-date=October 28, 2017}} with drummer Joel Ekman, Shawn Economaki joined filling in the bass position, leaving the electric guitar position to be filled by Josh Rand. Stone Sour recorded a demo album in 1993, and another in 1994. In 1997, Taylor was approached by the metal band, Slipknot, resulting in him abandoning Stone Sour while they were recording a demo album with Sean McMahon at SR studios.{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|p=72}} Taylor did not return until five years later to record their debut album, Stone Sour in 2002. Both Taylor and guitarist Josh Rand contacted Jim Root, Slipknot's guitarist, and Shawn Economaki, Stone Sour's original bassist, to begin writing songs for their debut album.[https://web.archive.org/web/20021119052725/http://www.allmusic.com/cg/AMG.dll allmusic ((( Stone Sour > Overview )))] Allmusic. Retrieved April 22, 2010. Drummer Joel Ekman came back on board as well.{{cite news |title = Corey Taylor Insists His Other Band Is No Slipknot Jr. |publisher = MTV |date=July 11, 2002 |url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1456042/20020711/slipknot.jhtml |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020714093357/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1456042/20020711/slipknot.jhtml |url-status = dead |archive-date = July 14, 2002 |access-date=April 24, 2009}}[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r604459|pure_url=yes}} allmusic ((( Stone Sour > Credits )))] Allmusic. Retrieved April 19, 2010. This "reformation" later resulted in Stone Sour recording at Catamount Studios in Cedar Falls, Iowa.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110622053634/http://www.tower.com/stone-sour-cd/wapi/106630493 Stone Sour (EXPLICIT) (CD)] Tower Records. Retrieved April 22, 2010.

File:W0919-Hellfest2013 StoneSour CoreyTaylor 71660-Cropped.JPG

Their self-titled debut album was released August 27, 2002, and it debuted at number 46 on the Billboard 200.{{cite web| url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p532826|pure_url=yes}}| title=Stone Sour > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums| publisher=allmusic| access-date=December 7, 2009}} Their second album, Come What(ever) May debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. It was released August 1, 2006, and charted on several different charts.{{cite web |url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Stone+Sour |title=Discography Stone Sour |publisher=australian-charts.com |access-date=December 7, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902222602/http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Stone+Sour |archive-date=September 2, 2011 }}{{cite web| url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/| title=The Official Charts Company – Stone Sour| publisher=Official Charts Company| access-date=December 7, 2009}} Live in Moscow is currently their only album specifically released only for download.[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=217 Live In Moscow – Stone Sour] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221062451/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=217 |date=February 21, 2010 }} Roadrunner. Retrieved April 22, 2010. During the recording of the album, drummer Joel Ekman left the band for personal reasons. As a result, drummer Roy Mayorga was recruited, taking his place.[http://www.revolvermag.com/magazine/article/corey-taylor/ COREY TAYLOR – Revolver Magazine] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216170414/http://www.revolvermag.com/magazine/article/corey-taylor |date=December 16, 2010 }} Revolver. Retrieved April 22, 2010. The group released their third studio album, Audio Secrecy, on September 7, 2010.{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/audio-secrecy-mw0002023526 | title=Audio Secrecy - Stone Sour | Album | AllMusic | website=AllMusic }}

Later, Corey Taylor announced the release of a concept double album with Stone Sour. The albums are titled "House of Gold & Bones". During the process of making the double album, bassist Shawn Economaki left the band. He was temporarily replaced for touring purposes by Johny Chow. The first part was released in October 2012 and the second part in April 2013. There are 23 songs in total, 11 on the first part and 12 on the second. In addition to these two albums is a four-part comic book series written by Taylor and published by Dark Horse Comics, which went on sale in 2013. With these albums came a story that was written by Taylor that coincide with the album. Fans can also construct a miniature "house of gold and bones" from the packaging design of the physical versions of the two albums. Taylor has also said that he would like to finish off the project by making the story into a movie but nothing has come of this yet.[https://www.webcitation.org/5quN5yN1d?url=http://www.muenmagazine.net/2010/06/stone-sour-announce-september-7-release-date-for-audio-secrecy/ "Muen Magazine {{!}} STONE SOUR ANNOUNCE SEPTEMBER 7 RELEASE DATE FOR AUDIO SECRECY"]. Muen Magazine. Retrieved July 1, 2010.[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=444 "Audio Secrecy – Stone Sour"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713160917/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/newreleases/release.aspx?releaseID=444 |date=July 13, 2010 }}. Roadrunner Records. Retrieved July 1, 2010.(2010-06-26) [http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=142163 "STONE SOUR: Pro-Shot Performance Footage Of New Song Available"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100630090144/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=142163 |date=June 30, 2010 }}. Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved July 1, 2010.

{{Main|Slipknot (band)}}

In Des Moines, Iowa, Joey Jordison, Shawn Crahan, and Mick Thomson approached him asking him to join Slipknot.{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|p=71}} He agreed to go to one of their practices, and ended up singing in front of them. Of Slipknot's nine members, Corey was the sixth to join the band. Performing with Slipknot, he would also come to be known as "Number Eight", since the band follows a numbering scheme for its members, ranging from 0–8. According to Shawn Crahan, Corey wanted number eight, because it symbolizes infinity.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/slipknots-shawn-crahan-explains-how-band-member-numbers-came-to-be/|title=Slipknot's Shawn Crahan Explains How Band Member Numbers Came to Be|work=Loudwire|last=Childers|first=Chad|date=July 28, 2012|access-date=May 12, 2018}}

Feeling he could expand more inside Slipknot than in Stone Sour, Taylor temporarily quit Stone Sour, even though they were recording an album with Sean McMahon. Taylor's first gig with Slipknot was on August 24, 1997,{{cite web |title=See Corey Taylor's Intense First Show With Slipknot in 1997 |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-corey-taylors-intense-first-show-slipknot-1997 |publisher=Revolver |access-date=21 May 2023 |date=August 26, 2022}} which according to band members did not go well. During his first gig, Taylor was performing with facepaint instead of a mask; however, for his second show on September 12, he wore a mask that resembles his debut album mask.{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|p=77}}

Taylor has recorded with Slipknot since the release of their second demo album, a self-titled demo used to promote the band to prospective labels and producers.{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|pp=82–86}} As their permanent vocalist, he recorded with Slipknot at Indigo Ranch in Malibu, California, and released Slipknot, the band's debut album that peaked at number one on the Top Heatseekers chart,{{cite web |title = Slipknot Billboard Albums Charts |publisher = Allmusic |url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r183561|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=April 5, 2010}}{{cite book |title=The Rough Guide Rock: The Definitive Guide to More than 1200 Artists and Bands |last=Buckley |first=Peter |year=2003 |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn=1-84353-105-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/roughguidetorock0003unse/page/954 954] |edition=3 |url=https://archive.org/details/roughguidetorock0003unse/page/954 }} went double platinum in the United States,{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php |title=Gold & Platinum |date=August 29, 2008 |access-date=April 5, 2010 |publisher=RIAA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210073830/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php |archive-date=December 10, 2010 }} and was included in the 2006 book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.{{cite book |last = Dimery |first = Robert |title = 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die |publisher = Universe |year = 2006 |isbn = 0-7893-1371-5|title-link = 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die }} Taylor was accused of copyright infringement regarding the lyrics of the song "Purity", but no action was taken.{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|pp=159–61}} Taylor began recording for their second studio album, Iowa, in 2001 at Sound City and Sound Image in Van Nuys, Los Angeles.{{cite AV media notes |title=Iowa |title-link=Iowa (album) |author=Slipknot (band) |year=2001 |type=Compact disc |publisher= Roadrunner Records}} It was released August 28, 2001, and peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart,{{cite web |title= Chart Log UK |access-date=May 7, 2010 |date=June 16, 2007 |publisher=Zobbel |author=Zobbel |url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_S.HTM}} as well as number three on the Billboard 200.{{cite web|url = {{BillboardURLbyName|artist=slipknot|chart=all}}|title = Iowa – Slipknot|publisher = Billboard |access-date=July 9, 2010}} While writing Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses), Taylor decided to write lyrics that would not warrant an explicit label.{{cite web|author=Thomson, Mick |title=NAMM 2008 Report |publisher=On Track Magazine |url=http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=29777240 |access-date=July 14, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216055448/http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=29777240 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |author-link=Mick Thomson }} It peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.{{cite magazine| url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=slipknot|chart=all}} | title=Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses – Slipknot| magazine=Billboard| access-date=April 5, 2010}} All Hope Is Gone was the first Slipknot album to peak at number one on the Billboard 200.{{cite web |title=All Hope Is Gone is #1!! |publisher=Sparkart |date=September 3, 2008 |url=http://slipknot1.silverback.sparkart.net/story/all/all_hope_is_gone_is_1-1 |access-date=April 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905113751/http://slipknot1.silverback.sparkart.net/story/all/all_hope_is_gone_is_1-1 |archive-date=September 5, 2008 }}

Taylor has appeared as a guest musician on albums by Soulfly, Apocalyptica, Damageplan, Steel Panther, and Code Orange. At one point, he was heavily involved in the recording of thrash metal band Anthrax's album, Worship Music, but the sessions remain unreleased.[http://www.metalstorm.ee/bands/bandmember.php?member_id=3251 Corey Taylor − Metal Storm] Metal Storm. Retrieved November 29, 2009. He also contributed to the Roadrunner United all-star album in 2005, providing vocals for the song "Rich Man".{{cite AV media notes |title= The All-Star Sessions |title-link= Roadrunner United |author= Roadrunner United |year= 2005 |chapter= "The Rich Man" |type= Compact Disc |publisher= Roadrunner Records}} Taylor also made a brief appearance in Steel Panther's singles "Death to All but Metal", "Eyes of a Panther", and "Asian Hooker".(2009-05-14) [https://archive.today/20120907231028/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=120106 "STEEL PANTHER To Play London Club Show"]. Blabbermouth.net. In 2006, Taylor founded the record company Great Big Mouth Records.{{cite news |title = For The Record: Quick News On Notorious B.I.G., Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Alba, Danger Mouse & More |author=MTV News staff report |publisher = MTV |date=June 7, 2006 |url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1533820/20060607/notorious_big.jhtml |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070317041233/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1533820/20060607/notorious_big.jhtml |url-status = dead |archive-date = March 17, 2007 |access-date=May 21, 2010}} Taylor has produced two albums: Facecage's self-titled album and Walls of Jericho's Redemption.{{cite news|title=Slipknot Frontman Partners With Facecage To Launch Great Big Mouth Records |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=June 6, 2006 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=53308 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911104937/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=53308 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 11, 2012 |access-date=May 21, 2010 }}{{cite news |title = WALLS OF JERICHO, COREY TAYLOR Talk About 'Redemption' |publisher = Blabbermouth.net |date = April 22, 2008 |url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=95472 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120909123135/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=95472 |url-status = dead |archive-date = September 9, 2012 |access-date = May 21, 2010 }} Taylor provided guest narration on the track "Repentance" for Dream Theater's 2007 album Systematic Chaos. In an interview with Billboard, Taylor confirmed that on January 13, 2009, he was planning on making a solo album, as well as returning to his side project Stone Sour after Slipknot's All Hope Is Gone World Tour.{{cite magazine |access-date=February 22, 2009 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269624/slipknot-readies-tour-taylor-plots-solo-album |title=Slipknot Readies Tour, Taylor Plots Solo Album |magazine=Billboard |date=January 13, 2009 |author=Graff, Gary }} Taylor has stated that he was writing songs that "don't fit either of his main bands." He describes them as a cross between Foo Fighters, Johnny Cash, and Social Distortion, saying that there's "a country background that comes built-in with living in Iowa".

On March 30, 2009, it was confirmed that Taylor and the Junk Beer Kidnap Band would be performing at Rockfest in 2009.[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118518 SLIPKNOT Singer's COREY TAYLOR AND THE JUNK BEER KIDNAP BAND To Play 'Secret' Show] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606095659/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118518 |date=June 6, 2011 }}. Retrieved April 12, 2010. The group performed on April 24, 2009, at People's Court in Des Moines, Iowa, marking Taylor's first official solo show.[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=119107 Taylor Solo {{!}} Roadrunner Records] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606095732/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=119107 |date=June 6, 2011 }}. Retrieved April 22, 2010. Taylor performs with his band the Dum Fux with Denny Harvey, who make covers for 1970s punk rock and 1980s hair metal.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080312165718/http://www.azheavymetal.com/noticias/12_2004/noticia7474.php Corey Taylor's Dum Fux – More Details About New Year's Eve Show Announced]}} A–Z Heavy Metal. Retrieved April 22, 2010. Taylor also performs with Audacious P, a band that is primarily a Tenacious D cover band.Harris, Chris (06−01−17) [https://web.archive.org/web/20080219073308/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1520740/20060113/stone_sour.jhtml Slipknot's Taylor Gearing Up For Stone Sour LP — And Tenacious D Tribute] MTV. Rapper Tech N9ne confirmed that Taylor was to perform on his album K.O.D., but was removed because Taylor did not submit his vocals in time,[http://www.sdentertainer.com/music/tech-n9ne-—-the-man-behind-the-painted-face/ Tech N9ne — The man behind the painted face] San Diego Entertainer Magazine. Retrieved April 22, 2010.[https://www.allmusic.com/album/kod-mw0001776316/credits allmusic ((( K.O.D. > Overview )))] Allmusic. Retrieved April 22, 2010. though he would later make an appearance on Tech's 2015 album Special Effects, on the song "Wither". Taylor recently admitted that he tried out for the vacant singer spot in the band Velvet Revolver, but said that it just did not work out.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20140310183031/http://www.rockonaltitude.com/?p=2780 The future of SLIPKNOT in doubt? Corey spills the dirt on his new band]}} Revolver. Retrieved April 22, 2010. However, according to a recent Billboard article, it seems likely that he may in fact become the vocalist for Velvet Revolver, though no official confirmation has been made.{{cite magazine|url =https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/473339/stone-sours-corey-taylor-addresses-velvet-revolver-rumors-slipknots-future|title = Stone Sour's Corey Taylor Addresses Velvet Revolver Rumors, Slipknot's Future|last = Graff|first = Gary| magazine=Billboard |date=January 28, 2011|access-date=January 30, 2011}} Duff McKagan added that they can neither "confirm or deny" Taylor's membership in the band but believes that Taylor is the "real deal".{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lblJOw4UbBE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/lblJOw4UbBE| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Duff Mckagan Talks Corey Taylor in Velvet Revolver |publisher=YouTube |date=February 19, 2011 |access-date=December 7, 2011}}{{cbignore}} Slash has since ruled Taylor out as the possible new vocalist explaining that "[it] just wasn't right" although he does love him.{{cite web|url = https://www.nme.com/news/velvet-revolver/56187|title = Slash rules Corey Taylor out of contention for Velvet Revolver – video|publisher = NME|date=April 18, 2011|access-date=August 16, 2011}} Taylor has, however, recorded 10 new songs with the band, although drummer Matt Sorum stated it is unlikely they will ever be released.{{cite web|url = https://www.nme.com/news/velvet-revolver/58255|title = Velvet Revolver reveal they have recorded an album with Slipknot's Corey Taylor|publisher = NME|date=July 26, 2011|access-date=August 16, 2011}} Taylor explained to Mark Hoppus on Hoppus on Music that he and McKagan were writing new music for a possible new supergroup.{{cite web |url=http://www.fusemusic.com/hoppus/video/player?pid=tGS9iHBNzsNLXX4zXzeQs_NUaglsMLuq |title=Individual Video | Fuse.tv – Music Videos and News, Free Downloads and Concerts |publisher=Fusemusic.com |date=September 24, 2011 |access-date=December 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229220732/http://www.fusemusic.com/hoppus/video/player?pid=tGS9iHBNzsNLXX4zXzeQs_NUaglsMLuq |archive-date=December 29, 2011 }}

On June 21, 2018, Taylor featured on the track "The Hunt" by metallic hardcore band Code Orange, the second track of the three-track EP The Hurt Will Go On. In April 2019, Taylor collaborated on the song "Drugs" by the band Falling in Reverse. In September 2019, he was featured on Nostalgia Critic's parody album of Pink Floyd's The Wall on a cover of the opening theme for SpongeBob SquarePants.{{cite web |url= https://blabbermouth.net/news/corey-taylor-and-son-griffin-guest-on-web-review-series-nostalgia-critic|title= COREY TAYLOR and Son GRIFFIN Guest on Web Review Series 'Nostalgia Critic'|date= September 20, 2019}}

Taylor released his solo album, CMFT, on October 2, 2020, via Roadrunner Records.{{cite magazine |date=2020-07-29 |title=Slipknot's Corey Taylor Announces Debut Solo Album 'CMFT,' Drops First Two Singles |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9426209/corey-taylor-preps-debut-solo-album-cmft |access-date=2020-09-29 |magazine=Billboard}}{{cite web |title=CMFT by Corey Taylor on Apple Music |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/cmft/1525185660 |access-date=2020-09-29 |via=Apple Music}} The first two singles, "Black Eyes Blue" and "CMFT Must Be Stopped", were released on July 29, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://chaospin.com/corey-taylor-shares-two-songs-cmft-solo-album/|title=Corey Taylor shares two songs from his 'CMFT' solo album|work=Chaos Spin|last=Emre Ozzdiyar|first=Yunus|date=July 29, 2020|access-date=July 30, 2020}} Despite charting relatively well, he would later accuse Roadrunner of doing little to promote CMFT.{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2023-05-04 |title=Corey Taylor Says Roadrunner Records 'Didn't Push' His Debut Solo Album: 'They Didn't Care' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/corey-taylor-says-roadrunner-records-didnt-push-his-debut-solo-album-they-didnt-care |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Blabbermouth.net |language=en}}

Taylor mentioned in an October 3, 2020, interview about a followup album entitled CMF2, which would be completed prior to a tour supporting both it and CMFT.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGfy9SXgDZA?t=1m20s Corey Taylor on future of Slipknot] - Sirius XM, Youtube, Oct. 3 2020: "[...] I'm actually thinking about going in and recording CMF2, and then going out and touring on two albums." He contributed a cover of the Metallica song "Holier Than Thou" to the charity tribute album The Metallica Blacklist, released in September 2021.{{Cite web|last=He|first=Richard S.|date=2021-09-10|title=Every Metallica Blacklist cover ranked from worst to best|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/every-metallica-blacklist-cover-ranked-from-worst-to-best|access-date=2021-10-22|website=loudersound|language=en}}

Between January 18 and March 6, 2023, Taylor spent time at various studios working on CMF2.{{Cite web |last1=Blum |first1=Jordan |last2=Trapp |first2=Philip |date=2023-01-25 |title=Corey Taylor Reveals Working Titles for 17 New Solo Songs - 'All I Want Is Hate,' 'Starmate' + More |url=https://loudwire.com/corey-taylor-second-solo-album-update/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Shutler |first=Ali |date=2023-03-06 |title=Corey Taylor on finishing new solo album 'CMF2': "It's more of a punch in the face" |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/corey-taylor-on-finishing-new-solo-album-cmf2-its-more-of-a-punch-in-the-face-3408817 |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} On April 27, 2023, Taylor signed a new record deal with BMG Rights Management to distribute CMF2, which will be released through his own imprint label, Decibel Cooper Recordings.{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2023-04-27 |title=Slipknot Frontman Corey Taylor Signs Global Deal With BMG For Second Solo Album |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/slipknot-frontman-corey-taylor-signs-global-deal-with-bmg-for-second-solo-album |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Blabbermouth.net |language=en}} The first single from the album, "Beyond", was released on May 16, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Duran |first=Anagricel |date=2023-05-16 |title=Watch Corey Taylor join the freakshow in new video for 'Beyond' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-corey-taylor-join-the-freakshow-in-new-video-for-beyond-3444316 |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}

File:CoreyTaylorGmm.jpg

Taylor told Loudwire in 2015 that if it were not for Faith No More, he "wouldn't be here today". While recovering from an attempted suicide, he saw the band perform "Epic" live on the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards and the performance inspired him to begin writing and performing music again. He has also stated that Pearl Jam had hugely influenced and inspired his music, saying that the group was "one of the biggest and best rock bands of all time".{{cite web|url=http://read.tidal.com/article/corey-taylor-slipknot-on-why-pearl-jam-belongs-in-the-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame|title=COREY TAYLOR (SLIPKNOT) ON WHY PEARL JAM BELONGS IN THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME|publisher=Tidal|date=April 7, 2017|access-date=November 2, 2017}}

The first two Slipknot albums with Taylor's vocals, Slipknot and Iowa, both contain substantial explicit content. Many critics claimed Taylor relied on profanity, culminating in Slipknot's third album, Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) largely lacking the use of swearing, as such did not warrant the explicit label. Compared with the previous vocalist for Slipknot, Anders Colsefni, Taylor has a vocal style that was characterized by the late, ex-drummer Joey Jordison as "really good melodic singing".{{Harvnb|Arnopp|2001|p=73}} Taylor's vocal style, which contains at times melodic singing, growling, screaming, shouting, and rapping, led him to place at number 86 on the Hit Parader's Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time and is often compared to other vocalists such as Ivan Moody, John Bush, Phil Anselmo, and Jamey Jasta.(2006-12-04) [http://www.hearya.com/2006/12/04/hit-paraders-top-100-metal-vocalists-of-all-time Hit Parader's Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908211559/http://www.hearya.com/2006/12/04/hit-paraders-top-100-metal-vocalists-of-all-time/ |date=September 8, 2019 }} Hearya. Retrieved April 19, 2010.

On September 17, 2002, Taylor's then-fiancée, Scarlett, gave birth to their son.{{cite AV media notes |title= Come What(ever) May|title-link= Come What(ever) May|author= Stone Sour|year= 2006|publisher= Roadrunner Records|type=booklet}} Taylor also has a daughter from an earlier relationship. Taylor and Scarlett married on March 11, 2004, and divorced in 2007.[http://celebgalz.com/corey-taylor-married-stephanie-luby-taylor-luby-wedding/ Corey Taylor married Stephanie Luby: Taylor & Luby wedding] Celebgalz.com. Retrieved April 1, 2010. On November 13, 2009, Taylor married Stephanie Luby at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas. They had a daughter, but separated in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/CoreyTaylorRock/status/946524007595208704|title=Because 'people' want to gossip on my son's Instagram, I'll set the record straight, even tho some of you don't deserve it. I've been separated for almost 10 months now.|author=The Boogie Knight Returns|date=December 28, 2017|website=@CoreyTaylorRock|language=en|access-date=December 28, 2017}} On April 7, 2019, it was announced on his Instagram page that he became engaged to Alicia Dove, creator of the dance and performance group "Cherry Bombs".{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/corey-taylor-engaged-alicia-dove/|title=Corey Taylor Engaged To Alicia Dove|last=Al-Sharif|first=Rabab|website=Loudwire|date=April 7, 2019 |language=en|access-date=August 10, 2019}} On October 6, 2019, the pair married.{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/corey-taylor-alicia-dove-wedding-photos/ |title=Corey Taylor and Alicia Dove Share Photos From Wedding |website=Loudwire.com |date=October 24, 2019 |access-date=March 11, 2020}}

Taylor has had problems with alcoholism, which Scarlett helped him through as well as keeping him from ending his own life. In 2006, Taylor told MTV that he had attempted to jump off a balcony of the eighth floor of The Hyatt on Sunset Boulevard in 2003, but "somehow [Scarlett] stopped me". This was later recanted by Taylor in an interview with Kerrang! radio, where he instead stated that it was his friend Thom Hazaert who physically stopped him from jumping.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=126547|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910032629/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=126547|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2009|title=Slipknot Frontman: This Is Who I Am - Blabbermouth.net|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}} Scarlett then told him that either he would have to get sober or she would annul their marriage.Wiederhorn, Jon (June 15, 2006) "[https://web.archive.org/web/20060908204539/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1534381/20060615/stone_sour.jhtml Corey Taylor Hits Rock Bottom On Way To New Stone Sour LP]" MTV. Retrieved April 1, 2010. Before Stone Sour started recording Come What(ever) May in January 2006, Taylor was sober.{{cite news |title = Stone Sour: Producer Announced; Recording To Begin In January |publisher = Blabbermouth.net |date = September 20, 2005 |url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=41924 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120629051629/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=41924 |url-status = dead |archive-date = June 29, 2012 |access-date = May 21, 2010 }}

On August 3, 2009, he co-hosted the 2009 Kerrang! Awards alongside Scott Ian of Anthrax.[http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/Zl2eVKGu1eW/The+Kerrang+Awards+2009/OpFqvboVCJR/Corey+Taylor Corey Taylor Pictures – The Kerrang! Awards 2009 – Zimbio] Zimbio. Retrieved April 29, 2010.(2009-06-30) [http://kerrangmagazine.tumblr.com/post/133084810/slipknots-corey-taylor-and-scott-ian-will-co-host "Kerrang! Magazine – Slipknot's Corey Taylor and Scott Ian will co-host"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717112523/http://kerrangmagazine.tumblr.com/post/133084810/slipknots-corey-taylor-and-scott-ian-will-co-host |date=July 17, 2011 }}. Kerrang!. Retrieved June 11, 2010. The following year, they both once again co-hosted the Kerrang! Awards, where Taylor collected the K! Services to Metal award on behalf of Paul Gray, who died after an accidental overdose of morphine and fentanyl.{{cite web|url= http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2010/06/scott_ian_and_corey_taylor_to.html|title= Scott Ian and Corey Taylor to present The Relentless Energy Drink Kerrang! Awards 2010|publisher= Kerrang|date= June 22, 2010|access-date= August 5, 2010|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100628005756/http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2010/06/scott_ian_and_corey_taylor_to.html|archive-date= June 28, 2010|df= mdy-all}}{{cite news|last=Crumb|first=Michael J.|title= Slipknot bassist died of morphine overdose|agency=Associated Press|publisher=MSNBC|date=June 21, 2010|url=http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37836072/ns/today-entertainment/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624024552/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37836072/ns/today-entertainment/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 24, 2010|access-date=June 21, 2010}}

In early September 2010, Taylor announced that his book, Seven Deadly Sins: Settling the Argument Between Born Bad and Damaged Good, would be released on July 12, 2011, through Da Capo Press.(2010-09-04). [http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=145549 "Corey Taylor's 'Seven Deadly Sins': Book Details Revealed"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909153411/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=145549 |date=September 9, 2010 }}. Blabbermouth.net

In August 2021, Taylor tested positive for COVID-19 after the conclusion of a solo tour in support of his album CMFT. He was symptomatic despite being vaccinated, and credited the vaccine for preventing him from becoming seriously ill.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/corey-taylor-tests-positive-covid-19-1215144/ |title=Corey Taylor 'Out of the Woods' After Positive Covid Test, Urges People to Get Vaccinated |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=2021-08-23 |access-date=2021-08-24}}

Taylor politically identifies as a centrist and is also strongly opposed to cancel culture.{{Cite web|url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/corey-taylor-politics-cmft/|title=Corey Taylor on "fucking crazy and dumbass" left-wing politics|publisher=Tone Deaf|last=Gray|first=Geordie|date=September 17, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2022}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/corey-taylor-previews-america-51-book-with-trump-takedown-199943/|title=Corey Taylor Previews 'America 51' Book With Trump Takedown|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Grow|first=Kory|date=June 9, 2017|access-date=July 27, 2022}} In an interview with The Guardian in 2016 Taylor stated he was supporting Bernie Sanders.{{Cite news |last=Beaumont-Thomas |first=Ben |date=2016-02-10 |title=Slipknot's Corey Taylor answers your questions: 'Donald Trump makes me want to eat my shoes' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/10/slipknot-corey-taylor-answers-your-questions |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

He divides his time between homes in Des Moines, Iowa and Las Vegas, Nevada.{{Cite web |date=2016-08-17 |title=Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor on Marilyn Manson and living in Las Vegas - Las Vegas Weekly |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/music/2016/aug/17/slipknot-corey-taylor-marilyn-manson-vegas/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=lasvegasweekly.com}}

In 2016, he had to have surgery in his neck after, in his own words, "broke [his] neck a while back [and] didn't realize it".{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/corey-taylor-i-broke-my-neck-without-realising-it|title=Corey Taylor: I broke my neck without realising it|first=Christina|last=O'Neill|date=June 6, 2016|website=Louder}}{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/slipknot-corey-taylor-broke-neck-without-realizing/|title=Slipknot's Corey Taylor 'Broke His Neck' Without Realizing It|first=Joe|last=DiVita|website=Loudwire|date=June 6, 2016 }}

;Current members

• Corey Taylor – vocals, guitar (2009–present), piano (2020–present)
• Christian Martucci – guitar, backing vocals (2010, 2011, 2015, 2016–2017, 2020–present)
• Zach Throne – guitar, backing vocals (2019–2021, 2021–present)
• Dustin Robert – drums (2019, 2020–present)
• Eliot Lorango – bass, backing vocals (2021–present)

;Former members

• Nik Sorak – guitar, backing vocals (2009–2010)
• Fred Missouri – bass (2009)
• Tyson Leslie – keyboard, guitar (2009)
• Thomas Doggett – saxophone, wind synthesizer, backing vocals (2009)
• Ryan Berrier – drums (2009)
• Jason Christopher – bass, backing vocals (2009–2010, 2011, 2019–2021), guitar, backing vocals (2010, 2011–2012, 2015, 2018)
• Roy Mayorga – drums (2010, 2011)
• Arejay Hale – drums (2011)
• Brandon Pertzborn – drums (2019)
• R.J. Ronquillo – guitar, backing vocals (2021)

{{Further|Slipknot discography|Stone Sour discography|Corey Taylor discography}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Citation |last = Arnopp |first = Jason |title = Slipknot: Inside the Sickness, Behind the Masks |publisher = Ebury |year = 2001 |isbn = 0-09-187933-7}}
• {{Citation |last = McIver |first = Joel |author-link = Joel McIver |title = Slipknot: Unmasked |publisher = Omnibus |year = 2001 |isbn = 0-7119-8677-0}}

{{commons category}}

{{external media | width = 210px | float = right | headerimage=| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek922pOajRQ Corey Taylor - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Part 1)], Loudwire, 11:04, July 22, 2015 }}

• {{official website|http://www.thecoreytaylor.com}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090504024905/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=132&csid2=946&fid1=38154 Corey Taylor interview]
• [http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=20531 Metal Underground: interview]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090618074115/http://www.nyrock.com/interviews/2003/stone_int.asp NY rock: article]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081010162726/http://music.ign.com/articles/424/424627p1.html IGN: article]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090607073414/http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/reverb/2009/06/duff_mckagan_midwest_rock_and.php Duff McKagan on Corey Taylor in Seattle Weekly]

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{{s-bef|before=Anders Colsefni}}

{{s-ttl|title=Slipknot Lead vocalist|years=1997–present}}

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{{Slipknot}}

{{StoneSour}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Taylor, Corey}}

Category:1973 births

Category:American heavy metal singers

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