Jim Root of Slipknot Forced to Miss Opening Night of Mayhem Festival Due to Burst Appendix

Slipknot kicked off The Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour tonight (June 30), but without guitarist Jim Root because of a potentially life threatening burst appendix.

Members of the band reported that root had been very ill lately and went to the hospital only to find that his appendix had burst.  Jim is currently at home recovering and will likely miss several more Mayhem shows before he is back on stage, but he is eager to join the tour as soon as possible.

Slipknot offered a full statement regarding Jim Root's condition,

We're sorry to announce that our brother, Jim Root, will not be performing with us at Mayhem today in San Bernardino due to serious health issues. Jim has been seriously sick for the past two weeks and went to the hospital last week where he was advised that his appendix burst a couple weeks before and that it could have been life threatening. Jim is at home recovering and is awaiting surgery to have pieces of his appendix removed and hopes to join the tour as soon as he is able. Slipknot will continue to headline the Mayhem Festival and all other shows. We refuse to let our fans down and will not miss a single date. We will miss Jim greatly and our thoughts are with him. Jim sends his love to each and every one of our fans.

-Slipknot

Our friends from Loudwire have a reporter at tonight's festival and will keep us posted on any more news about Jim Root's condition. Get well soon Jim.