My Chemical Romance drummer was 44 years old

Bob Briar, a musician and sound engineer who was My Chemical Romance’s longest-serving drummer, has died. He was 44.

The double-platinum artist was found severely decomposed Tuesday in his Tennessee home after last being seen alive on Nov. 4, law enforcement sources told TMZ.

Briar’s cause of death is currently under investigation, but no foul play is suspected as all of his weapons were found untouched.

Briar was born on December 31, 1979 in Chicago. He began playing drums at a young age, performing with his school band, and then went on to study sound engineering at the University of Florida.

While touring as sound engineer for The Used in 2004, he met and became friends with members of My Chemical Romance (MCR), who were also performing on the tour. Briar replaced MCR’s drummer Matt Pelissier shortly after the release of their second studio album. Three cheers for sweet revenge in June 2004, appearing in many of the album’s support videos.

Briar appeared on the band’s last two albums: Black Parade (2006) and Days of Danger: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killers (2010), as well as the collection “Conventional Weapons” (2013), who left the group in 2010. MCR finally disbanded in 2013.

“I left a very good touring gig where I was doing tour management and sound. I left that job to join a band that was dirty, had crap equipment, a broken down, smoking van with a death trap, and was poor. Plus they smelled bad,” Briar told Alternative Press in 2016. “I was so happy to get the offer. Long before we recorded “Welcome to the Black Parade,” I knew (MCR) were special and wanted to join them. I wanted to help the band develop and be able to rip with them every night.”

He added: “I think my last great memory was playing (a sold-out show at) MSG to end the tour. I never thought this would ever happen to me, and I still can’t believe it actually happened.”

After touring behind the scenes with several other bands, Briar went into real estate in 2014 and eventually retired from drumming in 2021.

“I’m closing the book on my drumming days forever. “I have too many wrist problems, I’m too old, I’m too fat and it’s time for something new,” he tweeted at the time, selling his drum kit to benefit the Williamson County Animal Control and Adoption Center in Franklin, State. Tennessee. .

Briar was actively involved in dog rescue charities. His two dogs were found by animal control after his body was discovered.