Jim Root

{{See also|Slipknot (band)|Stone Sour}}

Root began performing with the thrash metal band Atomic Opera{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSZa_g37aIU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/wSZa_g37aIU |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Atomic Opera WITH JIM ROOT of Slipknot VERY RARE 1993 IA |date=February 23, 2013 |via=YouTube |access-date=March 11, 2020}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiFvkN4gn4o |title=YouTube |via=YouTube |access-date=March 11, 2020}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}} from Iowa in the early 1990s (not to be confused with the hard rock band of the same name from Texas). Soon after they split up, he went on to perform in bands such as DeadFront and Stone Sour; he joined the latter in 1995, and returned to it along with vocalist Corey Taylor during its revival in 2002. Prior to joining Slipknot, he worked as a screenprinter, waiter, and busboy.

He joined Slipknot in January 1999, replacing their original guitarist, Josh Brainard, who left the band during the recording of their self-titled album, reportedly after having fulfilled his recording duties. He was approached by Shawn Crahan, Joey Jordison, and producer Ross Robinson to join, which he initially rejected but after speaking to a friend asking him to reconsider, Root called Crahan back asking if the offer was still on the table.{{cite web |last1=Prism Supply |title=Prism Supply x Harley-Davidson - My Garage - Jim Root |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQVNPHZYmRY&t=6m11s |via=YouTube |date=July 6, 2023 |access-date=1 September 2023}} The only songs Root recorded for during the album's sessions were for "Me Inside", which was already mostly completed in the earlier sessions, and a new song titled "Purity." Despite this, "Purity" has become a staple for most of the band's live performances.

Although originally filling in the spot of rhythm guitar in 1999, Root would later become the co-lead guitarist and, after the death of bassist Paul Gray and removal of drummer Joey Jordison, he became one of the band's main songwriters. Of Slipknot's nine member lineup which lasted between 1999 and 2010, Root was the last to join the band. Root typically performed lead guitar in Stone Sour, although he sometimes played rhythm. He has spoken of both bands' guitar style as being twin guitar: "In both bands, I fulfill both roles. In Slipknot, Mick [Thomson] has some solos, and in Stone Sour, Josh [Rand] has some solos."{{cite web|url=http://hangout.altsounds.com/features/123576-lowdown-jim-root-stone-sour-slipknot.html |title=The Lowdown: Jim Root of Stone Sour/Slipknot {{pipe}} Altsounds.com Features |website=Hangout.altsounds.com |date=November 13, 2010 |access-date=November 13, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830211122/http://hangout.altsounds.com/features/123576-lowdown-jim-root-stone-sour-slipknot.html |archive-date=August 30, 2011 }} During the recording of Stone Sour's Audio Secrecy, he and Rand recorded their parts simultaneously.{{cite web |url=http://www.stonesour.com/board_posts/artist-bio |title=Stone Sour |website=Stonesour.com |access-date=November 13, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429173755/http://www.stonesour.com/board_posts/artist-bio |archive-date=April 29, 2011 }}

Outside Slipknot and Stone Sour, Root has appeared on Slipknot turntablist Sid Wilson's DJ Starscream album The New Leader and John 5's The Devil Knows My Name, for the song "Black Widow of La Porte", and also appeared on the Roadrunner United project, performing the solo and harmony guitars on "Tired 'N Lonely" from the project's album The All-Star Sessions. He also appeared on Jonathan Davis and the SFA's cover of Lil Wayne's "Got Money".

On May 17, 2014, Stone Sour released an official statement saying that Root was no longer a member of the band.{{cite web|title=stonesour.com|url=http://www.stonesour.com/news/211303|access-date=May 17, 2014|archive-date=July 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710093117/http://www.stonesour.com/news/211303}} Moments before their statement, Root told a fan on Instagram of his departure, explaining "Not my decision. Not happy about it."{{cite web|title=Guitarist Jim Root Is Out of Stone Sour|url=http://loudwire.com/is-guitarist-jim-root-out-of-stone-sour/|website=Loudwire.com|date=May 17, 2014 |access-date=March 14, 2017}} In interviews, Root accused the band of being financially motivated and pursuing a more commercial musical direction, but also observed that he "wasn't really happy in that band anymore". Corey Taylor noted that the split initially put a strain on his and Root's relationship, which nonetheless was mended through channelling their frustrations into new Slipknot material.{{cite web|title=JIM ROOT: 'At Least One Guy' In STONE SOUR Is 'Only Concerned About Money'|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/jim-root-at-least-one-guy-in-stone-sour-is-only-concemed-about-money/|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=October 15, 2014|access-date=March 14, 2017}}

For 13 years, Root was involved in a highly publicized relationship with Cristina Scabbia, the lead singer of Italian gothic metal band Lacuna Coil.{{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/lacuna-coils-cristina-scabbia-talks-about-her-ten-year-long-distance-relationship-with-slipknots-jim-root | title=LACUNA COIL's CRISTINA SCABBIA Talks About Her Ten-Year, Long-Distance Relationship with SLIPKNOT's JIM ROOT | date=September 23, 2014 }}

In July 2007, Fender released the Jim Root Telecaster. Prior to his endorsement deal with Fender, Root had been seen using PRS, Jackson, Charvel, and Maverick electric guitars, and Guild and Martin acoustic guitars as well as a wide range of effect pedals and amplifiers. In a 2009 performance for Eurockeennes, and from 2010 to 2012, Jim used a Gibson Flying V.{{cite web |url=http://www.slipknot-metal.com/main.php?sk=equipment |title=Slipknot Equipment – Jim Root |website=Slipknot-metal.com |access-date=May 10, 2011 |archive-date=July 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730170647/http://www.slipknot-metal.com/main.php?sk=equipment |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.uberproaudio.com/content/view/215/38/ |title=Jim Root Guitar Rig Gear – Slipknot and Stone Sour |website=Uberproaudio.com |date=February 10, 2008 |access-date=May 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517185523/http://www.uberproaudio.com/who-plays-what/215-jim-root-guitar-rig-gear-slipknot-and-stone-sour |archive-date=May 17, 2013 |url-status=dead }}

In January 2010, a Jim Root Signature Fender Stratocaster{{cite web | url=https://www.fender.com/en-US/electric-guitars/stratocaster/jim-root-stratocaster/0114545706.html | title=Jim Root Stratocaster® }} was unveiled on the Fender website, similar to the one he has been seen using on stage, as of March 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0114545705 |title=Fender Products |website=Fender.com |access-date=May 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215093415/http://fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0114545705 |archive-date=December 15, 2010 }}

In 2016, Fender released a sandblasted version of Root's Jazzmaster with red and black grain. This model is not available for purchase but can be seen used in several of Root's instructional videos on YouTube (as part of "The Sound and the Story") and has occasionally been seen live.{{cite web |url=https://guitarfxdepot.com/rigs/jim-root-slipknot-guitar-rig/ |title=The complete history of Jim Roots guitar rig |website=GuitarFXDepot.com |date=July 15, 2020 |access-date=July 16, 2020}}

While Root primarily uses Orange Rockerverb heads live, he has been known to use a variety of amplifiers in the studio, including a modified Bogner Uberschall and Mesa Boogie Mark IIC, the later of which has appeared on 2004's Vol 3: The Subliminal Verses and 2019's We Are Not Your Kind.

In the music video for Unsainted{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpATBBRajP8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/VpATBBRajP8 |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Slipknot – Unsainted [OFFICIAL VIDEO#&93; |via=YouTube |date=May 16, 2019 |access-date=March 11, 2020}}{{cbignore}} and a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!{{cite web |title=Slipknot – Unsainted | date=May 18, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYNUoUJkc0o |access-date=March 11, 2020 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} Root was seen using EMG Retroactive pickups, with EMG's Instagram account suggesting that they are working on a signature set for him.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BuKLIPjBvz3/?hl=en |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/emgpickups/1984447530771348727 |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |url-access=subscription|title=EMG Pickups on Instagram: "@jamesroot has some bad ass EMG's coming down the pipeline 😏🖤 ..." |website=Instagram.com |access-date=March 11, 2020}}{{cbignore}} This was later confirmed on the EMG Facebook page announcing that the set would debut at NAMM 2020.{{cite web|url=https://m.facebook.com/emgpickups/photos/a.10150675153494119/10157894862819119/?type=3&source=48 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/92542394118/10157894862819119 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |url-access=limited|title=Cover Photos |website=M.facebook.com |date=July 24, 2019 |access-date=March 11, 2020}}{{cbignore}}

On October 21, 2021, Root announced he was working on a signature model with Charvel guitars.{{cite web |last1=Roche |first1=Sam |title=Jim Root is working on a Charvel signature model |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/jim-root-charvel |website=Guitar World |date=October 21, 2021 |access-date=June 23, 2022}} His signature series was set to release in August 2022 for $1,499.99.{{cite web |last1=Charvel Guitars |title=JIM ROOT SIGNATURE PRO-MOD SAN DIMAS® STYLE 1 HH FR M |url=https://www.charvel.com/gear/series/artist/jim-root-signature-pro-mod-san-dimas-style-1-hh-fr-m/2965801803 |website=Charvel Guitars |access-date=June 23, 2022}}

For gigs at smaller venues, and for use as a backup to his main Rockerverb setup, Root began using a Neural DSP Quad Cortex in 2024, despite previously saying he would never use digital amplifier modelers.{{cite web |last1=Wilkes |first1=Emma |title="I might have fibbed": Jim Root is using a Neural DSP Quad Cortex live with Slipknot – after saying he'd "never" use digital amp modellers |url=https://guitar.com/news/music-news/jim-root-is-using-neural-dsp-quad-cortex-live-slipknot/ |website=Guitar Magazine |access-date=3 June 2024}}

File:Jim Root at Mayhem Fest 2.jpg

File:W0920-Hellfest2013 StoneSour JamesRoot 71653-Crop.JPG in 2013]]

{{Main|Slipknot discography|Stone Sour discography}}

;Atomic Opera

• 1990: The Judgement
• 1992: Disintegration Fold

;Deadfront

• 1998: Nemesis

;Slipknot

• 1999: Slipknot ("Purity" & "Me Inside" only)
• 1999: Welcome to Our Neighborhood
• 2001: Iowa
• 2002: Disasterpieces
• 2004: Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)
• 2005: 9.0 Live
• 2006: Voliminal: Inside the Nine
• 2008: All Hope Is Gone
• 2010: (sic)nesses
• 2012: Antennas to Hell
• 2014: .5: The Gray Chapter
• 2019: We Are Not Your Kind
• 2022: The End, So Far
• 2023: Live at MSG

;Stone Sour

• 2002: Stone Sour
• 2006: Come What(ever) May
• 2007: Live in Moscow
• 2010: Audio Secrecy
• 2012: Live in Brighton
• 2012: House of Gold & Bones – Part 1
• 2013: House of Gold & Bones – Part 2

;Roadrunner United

• 2005: The All-Stars Sessions

;Other appearances

• 2006: The New Leader (DJ Starscream)
• 2007: The Devil Knows My Name (John 5)
• 2008: Got Money (Jonathan Davis and the SFA)
• 2008: Pay for It (The Son of a Clown Mix) (Mindless Self Indulgence)
• 2009: A Song for Chi (Fieldy)

• 1999: Welcome to Our Neighborhood
• 2002: Disasterpieces
• 2002: Rollerball
• 2006: Voliminal: Inside the Nine
• 2008: Nine: The Making of "All Hope Is Gone"
• 2009: Of the (sic): Your Nightmares, Our Dreams
• 2010: (sic)nesses
• 2011: Goat
• 2013: Jim Root: The Sound and the Story{{cite web|url=http://instagram.com/p/goMBXbFxfI/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/goMBXbFxfI |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |url-access=subscription|title=James Root on Instagram: "Hey everyone... The time is here. This is available for pre sale. Just wanna say thanks to everyone involved with putting this together...." |website=Instagram.com |date=November 12, 2013 |access-date=March 11, 2020}}{{cbignore}}
• 2016: Jim Root: The Sound and the Story: .5 The Gray Chapter
• 2017: Day of the Gusano: Live in Mexico
• 2018: Loud Krazy Love

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|James Root|Jim Root}}

• [http://www.slipknot1.com/ Slipknot website]
• [http://www.stonesour.com/ Stone Sour website]
• {{IMDb name|0740516}}

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Category:1971 births

Category:Alternative metal guitarists

Category:Musicians from Las Vegas

Category:Grammy Award winners

Category:Living people

Category:Roadrunner Records artists

Category:Slipknot (band) members

Category:American lead guitarists

Category:American rhythm guitarists

Category:Stone Sour members

Category:Guitarists from Iowa

Category:American male guitarists