Jim Root facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Root
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Root performing with Slipknot in 2016
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Donald Root |
| Also known as | #4 |
| Born | October 2, 1971 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
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| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1990–present |
James "Jim" Donald Root was born on October 2, 1971. He is an American guitarist and songwriter. Jim is one of the two guitarists for the famous heavy metal band Slipknot. In Slipknot, he is known as #4. He was also the lead guitarist for the rock band Stone Sour.
Contents
Jim Root's Musical Journey
Jim Root started his music career in the early 1990s. He played with a thrash metal band called Atomic Opera from Iowa. After that band broke up, he joined other groups like DeadFront and Stone Sour. He first joined Stone Sour in 1995. He later returned to Stone Sour in 2002 with singer Corey Taylor. Before becoming a full-time musician, Jim worked different jobs. He was a screenprinter, a waiter, and a busboy.
Joining Slipknot
In January 1999, Jim joined Slipknot. He took the place of their first guitarist, Josh Brainard. Josh left the band while they were recording their first album, Slipknot. Jim was asked to join by Shawn Crahan, Joey Jordison, and producer Ross Robinson. At first, he said no. But after talking to a friend, he changed his mind. He called Shawn Crahan back, and the offer was still open.
Jim only recorded two songs for the first album: "Me Inside" and a new song called "Purity." Even though he only recorded two songs, "Purity" became a very popular song. Slipknot often plays it at their live shows.
His Role in the Band
When Jim first joined Slipknot in 1999, he played rhythm guitar. Later, he became a co-lead guitarist. After some changes in the band, he became one of the main songwriters. Jim was the last person to join Slipknot's nine-member lineup, which was together from 1999 to 2010.
In Stone Sour, Jim usually played lead guitar. But sometimes he played rhythm guitar too. He has said that both Slipknot and Stone Sour use a "twin guitar" style. This means two guitarists play together. He explained, "In both bands, I do both jobs. In Slipknot, Mick [Thomson] has some solos, and in Stone Sour, Josh [Rand] has some solos."
Other Music Projects
Besides Slipknot and Stone Sour, Jim has worked with other musicians. He appeared on an album by Sid Wilson, who is Slipknot's DJ. He also played on a song called "Black Widow of La Porte" for John 5. Jim also contributed to the Roadrunner United project. He played guitar on the song "Tired 'N Lonely." He even appeared on a cover song of "Got Money" by Jonathan Davis and the SFA.
Leaving Stone Sour
On May 17, 2014, Stone Sour announced that Jim Root was no longer in the band. Jim told a fan on Instagram that it was not his choice and he was not happy about it. In interviews, Jim said that the band wanted to make more popular music. He also felt he was not happy in the band anymore. Even though this caused some tension, Jim and Corey Taylor worked through it. They used their feelings to create new music for Slipknot.
Jim Root's Guitars and Gear
Jim Root is known for using Fender guitars. In July 2007, Fender released a special Jim Root Telecaster guitar. Before working with Fender, Jim used guitars from other brands. These included PRS, Jackson, Charvel, and Maverick electric guitars. He also used Guild and Martin acoustic guitars. He used many different effect pedals and amplifiers. For a few years, from 2009 to 2012, Jim also used a Gibson Flying V guitar.
In January 2010, Fender released a Jim Root Signature Fender Stratocaster. This guitar was similar to one he used on stage. In 2016, Fender made a special sandblasted version of Jim's Jazzmaster guitar. This model is not sold to the public. However, you can see it in some of Jim's online videos. He has also used it live sometimes.
Jim often uses Orange Rockerverb amplifiers for live shows. But in the studio, he uses different types of amplifiers. These include a modified Bogner Uberschall and a Mesa Boogie Mark IIC. The Mesa Boogie Mark IIC was used on Slipknot's albums Vol 3: The Subliminal Verses (2004) and We Are Not Your Kind (2019).
In 2021, Jim announced he was working on a special guitar with Charvel guitars. This new guitar series was planned to be released in August 2022. More recently, in 2024, Jim started using a Neural DSP Quad Cortex for smaller shows. He uses it as a backup to his main amplifier setup.
Jim Root's Music Albums
Jim Root has played on many albums with different bands.
With Atomic Opera
- 1990: The Judgement
- 1992: Disintegration Fold
With Deadfront
- 1998: Nemesis
With Slipknot
- 1999: Slipknot (on "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
With 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
Other Albums
- 2005: The All-Stars Sessions (with Roadrunner United)
- 2006: The New Leader (with DJ Starscream)
- 2007: The Devil Knows My Name (with John 5)
- 2008: Got Money (with Jonathan Davis and the SFA)
- 2008: Pay for It (The Son of a Clown Mix) (with Mindless Self Indulgence)
- 2009: A Song for Chi (with Fieldy)
See also
In Spanish: Jim Root para niños
