Wayne Static, the solo metal artist and Static-X frontman, died late Saturday night. He was 48.

Wayne Static Dies

Static’s untimely death was announced on his Facebook page. “Platinum selling musician Wayne Richard Wells, better known as WAYNE STATIC, passed away at the age of 48,” the statement read. “WAYNE STATIC was the enigmatic former frontman and namesake of Static-X, who later forged a successful solo career. Wayne was scheduled to co-headline tours with Powerman 5000 and Drowning Pool over the next several months.
It added, “No additional information is available at this time.”

While no official cause of death has been released, Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix suggested that Static had died of a drug overdose in a tribute to the late musician on Instagram.

A photo posted by @jacobydakotashaddix on

“RIP WAYNE…. THIS IS SO SAD. TOO MANY MUSICIANS ARE DYING FROM OVERDOSES. IM SERIOUS ADDICTION IS REAL AND TAKES FOOLS OUT. NO ONE IS INVINCIBLE. SO GLAD I LIVE A SOBER LIFE TODAY,” Shaddix wrote. “THE NUMBER OF FRIENDS THAT I HAVE LOST TO ADDICTION IS CRAZY. IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITN ADDICTION GET SOME HELP BEFORE ITS TOO LATE. I KNOW DRUGS AND PARTYING ARE PART OF THE "rock n roll lifestyle" BUT DAMN HOW MANY MORE GOTTA DIE??? FUCK THE LIFESTYLE I WANT LIFE!!!! SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE WAYNE…”

Static formed Static-X in 1994. Their debut album, Wisconsin Death Trip, was released in 1999 and went platinum. Over the next 10 years, Static-X released five more albums, including Cult of Static. Following the release of that album in 2009, Static started a solo career. Static was planning on headlining a tour with Powerman 500 and Drowning Pool that was to launch next week.

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