Pepper Keenan, guitarist and vocalist of Corrosion of Conformity, has revealed that Dave Grohl went above and beyond to help the band’s co-founding drummer Reed Mullin during his final years. Grohl personally funded Mullin’s rehabilitation efforts out of his own pocket, demonstrating a profound act of compassion toward the struggling musician. In a recent appearance on The Garza Podcast, Keenan disclosed this generous support.
“His health was not well, and we tried everything,” Keenan explained, reflecting on Mullin’s difficult period. “Dave Grohl had helped him with rehab and paid for it out of his own pocket, which was very kind. I’ll never forget that.” The revelation underscores the deep respect and admiration that Grohl held for Mullin, whose drumming prowess had influenced an entire generation of musicians.
Keenan and his bandmate Woody Weatherman have since reflected fondly on Mullin’s legacy and contributions to heavy metal music. “When he was at the top of his game, he was a f*cking animal on the drums,” Keenan said. “You couldn’t touch him in terms of creativity and moving that type of music forward. He’s one of the O.G.s of the crossover shit back in the day, so he truly had helped invent something.” The guitarist emphasized that despite the tragedy of Mullin’s passing, the memories of his musical brilliance remain untarnished.
Reed Mullin, born William Reed Mullin on February 12, 1966, passed away on January 27, 2020, at the age of 53. He was the co-founding drummer of Corrosion of Conformity and had been a central figure in the band since its formation in 1982. Mullin helped pioneer the crossover metal sound that blended heavy metal with punk and hardcore influences. His death marked a significant loss to the metal community, as he had shaped the sonic landscape of Southern metal for nearly four decades.
In the years leading up to his passing, Mullin faced considerable health challenges that impacted his ability to perform. He experienced an alcohol-related seizure in 2016 and subsequently missed numerous shows due to various health complications. These struggles were well-known within the music community, and many of his peers expressed concern for his wellbeing during this difficult period.
Dave Grohl’s decision to personally finance Mullin’s rehabilitation efforts speaks to the profound influence the Corrosion of Conformity drummer had on musicians across genres. Grohl, the former Nirvana drummer and current Foo Fighters frontman, had long considered Mullin one of his drumming heroes and a major influence during his formative years as a musician. The two collaborated on the Teenage Time Killers project, a punk supergroup that brought together musicians from different eras and styles.
Keenan’s candid remarks about Mullin’s legacy and Grohl’s generosity serve as a poignant reminder of the human connections that exist within the music industry. “Yeah, it’s just weird shit. You can’t plan anything. You can’t map it out. You’d be crazy to even try. You never f*cking know what’s gonna happen,” Keenan reflected. His words acknowledge the unpredictability of life and the importance of cherishing those we admire while they are still with us. The guitarist’s reflection captures the bittersweet nature of remembering a pioneering musician whose contributions to metal music remain immeasurable.
