As a South African artist, Shaun Morgan took an interest in music at a young age and built his way up to the US music scene with Seether in the early 2000s. The guitarist’s personal and professional life made the headlines a few times throughout the decades. So, here, we delved into six facts about his life and career, from his relationship with Amy Lee to his addiction problems, for you.
6. He Hates Social Media
In a 2021 chat with Loudwire Nights, Morgan revealed that he hated social media, as he believed it was partly responsible for many teenagers’ mental illnesses and addiction issues today. Describing the social media platforms as ‘damaging,’ he suggested keeping children away from the online world before a certain age.
5. His Career Started In A Three-Piece Band
Morgan’s musical career began in 1999 with the band Saron Gas, which initially was supposed to have four members. But they soon became a trio when the original singer and guitarist didn’t show up for the first practice. Morgan took the role of lead vocals and guitar. The band, which later became known as Seether, experienced a few lineup changes and eventually moved to the US, continuing to make music under the new name.
4. Many Different Bands And Genres Influenced His Music
In the interviews he joined throughout his career, Morgan cited many bands like Nirvana, Portishead, Silverchair, The Beatles, and Metallica as his influences in music. These bands affected his playing style from the beginning, as the guitarist started with grunge and shifted to alternative metal, hard rock, and nu-metal genres.
3. His Brother Committed Suicide
Morgan’s brother, Eugene, killed himself by jumping off the eighth floor of the Radisson Hotel in Rapid City, South Dakota, on August 13, 2007. Seether released ‘Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces’ shortly after the incident and dedicated it to Eugene while the guitarist got his death date tattooed on his fingers as tribute.
2. He Dated Amy Lee For A While
Morgan started dating Evanescence’s Amy Lee in 2003 and broke up with her in 2005, which reportedly affected his addiction issues and led him to get into rehab in 2006. At the time, Lee wrote a song about their relationship and breakup called ‘Call Me When You’re Sober’ and said the track was ‘very personal’ to her. Years later, in 2021, the guitarist married his long-time partner, Jordan Kirby, and welcomed a daughter with her.
1. He Went To Rehab For Addiction Problems
Throughout 2005, Morgan worked on the promotion of Seether’s ‘Karma And Effect’ and ‘One Cold Night’ while also dealing with addiction problems. After admitting to needing help for his substance abuse, the guitarist checked into rehab in 2006. Because of that, Seether canceled that year’s summer tour plans with Staind and Three Days Grace but returned a year later with a new album.
