Gray was with Slipknot for four albums, from their 1999 self-titled debut to 2008’s All Hope Is Gone. He was the only member to keep his original role in the band. After his contributions to the Knot albums, Gray earned a spot as one of the greatest bassists in rock and metal music, even ranking 28th on Loudwire’s list of the best metal bassists.
Many fans thought Gray would always be a part of Slipknot, even though he worked on other projects too. Sadly, his career ended too soon when he passed away on May 24, 2010, at the age of 38.
The Day Paul Gray Passed Away
On May 24, 2010, Paul Gray was found dead in his hotel room at the TownePlace Suites in Urbandale, Iowa. A hotel worker called 911, reporting a needle near his bed and pills scattered around the room. At first, it seemed like an overdose, but an initial autopsy could not confirm this.
Two months later, another autopsy revealed Gray died from an overdose. His doctor, Daniel Baldi, was accused of prescribing high-dose narcotics to Gray from 2005 until his death. Gray had struggled with addiction before, yet the prescriptions continued. Baldi was charged with involuntary manslaughter for Gray’s death and the deaths of at least seven other patients.
The Legal Battle After Paul Gray’s Death
The legal fight against Daniel Baldi lasted several years. He first pleaded not guilty and returned to medical practice in 2016. But in 2018, Gray’s family reached a settlement in a civil lawsuit they filed against Baldi and his former employers. Later that year, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy permanently banned Baldi from prescribing substances for chronic pain.
Slipknot’s Tributes to Paul Gray
Slipknot honored Paul Gray with many tributes. A private funeral was held on May 28, 2010. During their 2011 Summer tour, the band placed Paul’s jumpsuit, pig mask, and bass guitar on stage. Corey Taylor, the band’s lead singer, got a tattoo of Gray on his leg to keep his memory alive.
In 2014, Slipknot released their first album after Gray’s passing. They named it 5: The Gray Chapter as a tribute to their late bandmate.
