Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

January 31, 1964 in Oakland, CA

Death

:

May 2, 2013 in Los Angeles, CA

 

Jeff Hanneman was a renowned American musician and composer, best known as the lead guitarist and founding member of the thrash metal band Slayer. Born on January 31, 1964, in Oakland, California, Hanneman grew up in a family of music lovers. His father was a jazz musician, and his mother was a classical pianist. Hanneman's interest in music began at an early age, and he started playing the guitar when he was just nine years old. Hanneman's musical journey began in earnest when he moved to Los Angeles in the early 1980s. There, he met Kerry King, who would become his bandmate in Slayer. The two bonded over their shared love of heavy metal music and began writing songs together. In 1983, they formed Slayer with drummer Dave Lombardo and vocalist/bassist Tom Araya. Slayer quickly gained a reputation as one of the most intense and aggressive bands in the thrash metal scene. Hanneman's guitar playing was a key part of the band's sound, characterized by fast, intricate riffs and blistering solos. He was also a prolific songwriter, contributing to many of the band's most iconic songs, including "Angel of Death," "Raining Blood," and "South of Heaven." Over the course of his career, Hanneman released 11 studio albums with Slayer, as well as numerous live albums and compilations. The band's music was known for its dark, often controversial themes, including violence, death, and Satanism. Despite this, Slayer became one of the most influential and beloved bands in the metal community, with a devoted fanbase that spanned the globe. Hanneman's contributions to Slayer's music were recognized by his peers and fans alike. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in the history of heavy metal, and his influence can be heard in countless bands that followed in Slayer's footsteps. In 2011, he was inducted into the Hollywood RockWalk, cementing his place in the pantheon of rock and roll legends. Sadly, Hanneman's life was cut short when he passed away on May 2, 2013, at the age of 49. He had been suffering from necrotizing fasciitis, a rare flesh-eating disease, which he contracted from a spider bite. His death was a devastating loss for the metal community, and he is still remembered and celebrated by fans around the world. Despite his untimely death, Hanneman's legacy lives on through his music. Slayer's albums continue to be reissued and remastered, and their songs are still played and covered by metal bands of all stripes. Hanneman's influence on the genre is undeniable, and his contributions to the world of heavy metal will never be forgotten.

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