As most of you are probably aware Jeff Hanneman of Slayer passed away Thursday of liver failure. In January 2011 he contracted necrotizing fasciitis, thought to be caused by a spider bite, and he has been undergoing surgeries, skin grafts and intense rehab since the fall of that year. It is not known at this time if the cause of his death is related to the bite and his ailments.
The last time Hanneman played with Slayer was at the April 2011 “Big Four” concert in Indio, California, when he joined them onstage for a two-song encore, but he hasn’t yet been able to tour again and has been replaced on tour by Exodus guitarist Gary Holt.
Slayer released this statement:
“Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM this morning near his Southern California home. Hanneman was in an area hospital when he suffered liver failure. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister Kathy and his brothers Michael and Larry, and will be sorely missed.”
Hanneman was composer of tons of Slayer classics including two Pittsburgh Music Magazine faves, ‘Angel of Death’ and ‘Raining Blood’. We will miss you brother…
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1bBGdoRgYU&w=420&h=315]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDk6fvkEp2k&w=420&h=315]