Slipknot is an American heavy metal band from Des Moines, Iowa. Formed in September 1994, the group was founded by percussionist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray. After several line-up changes in their early years, the band settled on nine members for more than a decade: Corey Taylor, Mick Thomson, Jim Root, Paul Gray, Craig Jones, Sid Wilson, Shawn Crahan, Chris Fehn and Joey Jordison. However, the death of Gray on May 24, 2010, and the departure of Jordison on December 12, 2012, left the band with seven remaining members.