Jimmy Sullivan “The Rev”, Avenged Sevenfold Drummer, Dead at 28

Posted by: Spicy
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Dec 29, 2009
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80 Smack Talkers

The Rev, Jimmy Sullivan

“The Rev”, drummer for the band Avenged Sevenfold, is dead at the age of 28.

Born James Owen Sullivan, the drummer was found in his Huntington Beach home on December 28th around 1:00 p.m.

Many fans believe that The Rev died from an overdose as he had bragged many times in the past about doing “piles of cocaine”.

The band has posted a statement on their website:

JIMMY “THE REV” SULLIVAN
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan. Jimmy was not only one of the world’s best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy’s family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time.
Jimmy you are forever in our hearts.
We love you.
M Shadows, Synyster Gates, Zacky Vengeance and Johnny Christ

An official cause of death has not yet been determined.

[LA Weekly]

Posted on: Uncategorized

DarrenxDreamer

thats bullshit stop trying to start rumors with the whole “piles of cocaine” thing the official cause of death has not been announced yet so you have no right to give people false information like that

RIP “The Rev”
you will be missed
Keanu Daniels

R.I.P Jimmy. You will be missed. You are the reason I began drumming. You will forever be in mine and my friends hearts. We love you xo
Bell Curve

Darwin strikes again! The gene pool thanks you, dude!
Tasha

Sad. So sad. But drugs will do that, kids.
Katsu

the reason i even started playing guitar and practicing guitar was because of Rev and A7X …..what kind of fucking world is this?…
Samm

R.I.P Jimmy ):
best fucking drummer ever!
xo
Alycia

This is too sad. :(
He was an amazing drummer and 28 is so young!
A7X is my favorite band by far.

R.I.P Jimmy “the Rev” Sullivan :’(
A7X4LIFE

If the cause of his death has not yet been verified, why start unethical rumors like drug abuse?
R.I.P. The Rev…. greatest damn drummer in the world…
Santana

Greatest drummer! A7x will never be the same. He was too young. Loved the concerts! This is soo sad. :(
Lunacy

I can’t believe this site takes every out-of-context, sarcastic remark and publishes it, saying they deserve it for whatever fictious reason. To whoever said the gene pool thanks you, you’ve obviously no class or dignity to speak so ill of someone you know nothing about. How sad it is when people take it upon themselfs to create a hierarchy pitted against anyone they see unfit to live. Honestly..
anon1

It’s speculation people. This isn’t the first place the possibility of OD have been raised. Get off Spicy’s back.
Mason17

What?! RIP REV
Mrs.A7x

RIP Jimmy.
Soooo Young.
NONEYA

“THE REV” WAS AN AMAZING DRUMMER AND WILL BE MISSED. WHY POST IT WAS A OVERDOSE UNTIL YOU KNOW FOR SURE!?!?! HIS WIFE, FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAVE ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH AT THIS POINT… THEY DON’T NEED PEOPLE SPECULATING ABOUT SOMETHING THEY DON’T KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT!!!

RIP GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN…
Donna

Whatever the reason for your death, it will not alter the fact that you were fantastic at what you did!
At the age of 44 and having enjoyed seeing many live groups, yours was the only one on my list to see! Sadly i missed seeing you in the UK last year!
May you and your family and all other fans, soon find peace.
Take care wherever you are! xxx
http://seributitik.blogspot.com Vivin Vinasthika

I can’t believe it. I.. I don’t know what should I say.
He’s the best drummer I’ve ever seen.
Toosad

Dear Lord….I loved The Rev…..Why did you took him away from us?….. This has been the sadest day in my life, and Avenged Sevenfold was The Reason
That I really got into the music world, and began taking the drumming very seriously…..So fuck this….It suck, but Jimmy…..Rest In Fucking Piece man….. <3
austin

we met once jimmy. you are my idol. rest in peace.
http://Escapethefate.09@hotmail.com Amai

R.I.P..The Rev..You will forever in our hearts.
rev4life

I have the right to die how I wanna
and leave how I arrived, so alive
R.I.P my good friend……….
Kel

The death was of “natural causes,” though it is not yet known exactly what those causes were. Just because he’s done drugs in the past does not give you the right to assume, and post for the world to see, that he died of an overdose. Speculation is irresponsible on the end of whomever wrote this “article” and posted it, especially since they announced his death was presumed to be of natural causes with the initial announcement that he had passed away. Let the man rest in peace. He was an extremely talented individual, who I had the great privilege of meeting once before a show, and he will be greatly missed by his family, friends, fans and in the music community.
Gary Miller

He was a puke bag faggot… Get over the BS. Honest, some of you people make me want to puke when I listen to all of this, he was a great guy, he will be greatly missed, he was the greatest drummer of them all, on and on and on. Get on to something more pleasant, such as, don’t you think
President Obama is doing a great job?????
Amee-Sevenfold

What the hell? The rev would never overdose.
We all love him so much :) I love him too much and he was an amazing person. Best person you could ever meet.

RIP MY wee Jimmy, I’ll miss you. (L)
Zarthias

i agree with darrenxdreamer, making a drug abuse assumshun is complete bullshit. until the official COD is announced, keep your stereotypical comments to your fucking self.
http://myspace.com/nopicks4 jake Moose

The Rev. was amazing.
He was young.
He had amazing musical projects.
I don’t want to believe it is true.
I really wish there was a way to wish or pray or hope that he would come back to life.
This truly is sad.
cj barnes

GARY MILLER,I HOPE YOU EAT SHIT AND DIE,IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO GOOD TO SAY ABOUT SOMEONE WHO HAS JUST PASSED ON,THEN DONT OPEN YOUR COCKSMOKERS!! YOU GOT ME,I WILL FIND YOUR ADRESS COME OUT PERSONALY AND FUCKING KICK YOUR FAGGOT ASS,AND OBAMMA SUX DICK ANYWAY YOU FUCKIN PILLOW MUNCHIN FAGGOT!! THIS IS THE REV’S DAY,YOUR SO TUFF TO TALK SHIT ON SOMEONE WHO HAS JUST PASSED ON,THIS IS FOR HIS FANS AND FRIENDS DUCHEFAG!! I SWEAR ITS PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT MAKE PPL.WANT TO FUCKIN JUST BEAT EVERY DUCHEBAG COCKSMOKER LIKE YOURSELF,SO LET THE MUSICAL MASTER R.I.P,I MEET HIM ONCE BEFORE A SHOW,HE SIGNED 2 OF HIS DRUM STICKS FOR ME AND TALKED TO ME LIKE A NORMAL PERSON,A VERY GOOD MAN,AND EVEN TOLD THE SERUITY GAURD TO LEAVE ME ALONE I WASNT BOTHERING HIM,I WAS JUST A FAN WITH 5 A7X TATS WANTING TO MEET MY IDOL,HE WAS SUCH A TALENTED GUY,AND THIS IS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE,SO ANY OF YOU COCKSMOKERS THAT HAVE SHIT TO TALK ON HIM,GET A LIFE AND DONT COME TO THIS SITE TO DOWN A FUCKING ICON,DO US ALL A FAVOR AND GO TAKE AN AIDS DICK UP THE ASS,OR KEEP YOUR DICKSMOKERS CLOSED,REV R.I.P. BUDDY,GREAT MAN WHO WAS TAKEN FROM US TO YOUNG,THANCK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INSPERATION ON ME AND THE WORLD OF DRUMMERS AND ANY SMART THAT LISTENED TO YOU PLAY WHAT YOU WAS PLAYING,,REV ROCKS!!!! HE WILL BE DEARLY MISSED!! ALSO THANCK EVERYONE WHO IS TAKING UP FOR HIM,HE CANT SPEAK FOR HIMSELF NOW,BUT HALF THE WORLD WILL,GREAT,GREAT HUMAN BEING AND DRUMMER,FRIEND AND FAMILY MEMBER,THANCKS FOR ALL THE GOOD TIMES AND MEMORIES!!
Ryder Ann

The Rev was an absolutely amazing character. I honestly have no right posting here because I have only listened to them for a couple months and don’t really know anything about them but from what i’ve heard he was an amazing person who is going to be missed. So Rest in Peace Rev, you will be missed. Best of luck to the band D=
Julia Donald

RIP Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan.
i seriously can’t believe this. I just can’t.
He was and still is my most favorite musician.
</3
We Will miss you.
Kyle

The Rev was an amazing man… I remember meeting him for the first time at the masters of horror tour, and then again when A7X opened for Metallica… They were the reason for me getting into music, and he was the reason I picked up the sticks in first place… He will be missed terribly .

“Spero che il vita dell’al di la sia immaginato”

R.I.P Mr. James Owen Sullivan
http://Www.Sar666waseso.Blogspot.Com Waseso Van der Sartono

Every generation has its time..Since elvis,kurt cobain,michael jackson,till the rev..Whatever tragedy,suicide,homicide,drug,etc,every human has its time..We are the nobodies,wanna be somebodies..When we’re dead,they’ll know just who we are..(Marilyn Manson)…God bless the rev..
cici

i live in hb and partied w /rev many many times coke is a hell of a drug!!!!
Shim Slay-me

Enjoy banging Britney Murphy in Hell while Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett ant the dude from Ghost watch! Your music sucked and you looked like the poster child for heroin abuse.
Unknown

Just like the death of John Lennon, Dimebag Darrel, and the recent passing of Michael Jackson, it is just unbelievable to hear that a musician as talented as the “Rev”, who was idolized by millions all over the world, has passed on. As a fellow musician and drummer, when I heard the news I was just crushed. And I am just appalled to see how many people jumped to make wild accusations about a dead man. Shame on those who were so quick to jump to conclusions.

R.I.P. Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan
Laila X Sullivan

whenever i was sad or depressed i used to always look? at jimmy’s vids and have a smile on my face. Looking at this face and hearing his voice cheered me up. I was always thinking about their new album that was going to come out nxt summer.i even made a count down…guess i was wrong. there wont be an album :’( i always thought that i would beable to see them nxt yr. i wanted to see them esspecially for The Rev becuz he was my fav band member and fav drummer. I love him. We all love him. I cried all day yesterday and im crying again.. Ill know that if i ever hear thunder and lighting, it will be The Rev drumming his ass off in heaven..

And for all the haters, fuck u and go suck a cock. Someone died, have respect for the person for Gods sake!The Rev is one of the greatest drummers in the world, and who are u? A jelous noob thats sucks dicks.

Go fuck your mom and tell anyone who cares all about it.

RIP Jimmy…I love you so so much </3
Jake lawton

Rest in peace bro… i was lucky enough to see you live twice :)
what an awesome performance… what an awesome guy.
I can guarantee this is a drug related death, such a shame. but i guess you get what you deserve. live that lifestyle and it will eventually catch up to you. he has mentioned on many occasions the amount of cocaine he does… most famously in revolver magazine.
So young :/ i miss him
x
Amanda Carrier

man .. why do all the sweet bands always lose a band member .. ? .. r.i.p dude .. keep on rockin on!
SR819

Never heard of him or his band
Tara Conroy NZ

Rest in peace?? Babe you were an amazing drummer and a party animal, theres no way that you could be happy resting in peace.. so I am going to say party on with the fellow rock lords that have past on also. You will forever be in our hearts. You were/are an inspiration to alot of people including a few of my friends.
If there was anyway I could bring you back I wouldn”t hesitate to do so.
I’m so glad to have seen you all in concert.
We love you so much
And I will never ever forget you.
Love from Tara xx <3
http://www.gmail.com BlazyGoove

The Rev . . . I don’t wanna believe this. coz you’re my idol in drums and in fashion. you are unique. you are the best drummer of this time and I cannot accept this fact…. I wish you come back again, it’s almost easy . . . Rest in Peace in the Afterlife . . . . . My heart’s always witu now.
nexus

the rev was one of my idols, i have been to 4 a7x concerts and talked to him every time i went, there music is all that keeps me sane here in iraq, you will be misses. my thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends.. rest easy my friend
nexus

the rev was one of my idols, i have been to 4 a7x concerts and talked to him every time i went, there music is all that keeps me sane here in iraq, you will be missed. my thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends.. rest easy my friend
ELW

I’m a father of 2 teenaged boys- 1 plays drums, 1 plays bass. I have taken them to metal concerts that they want to see and I usually love the concerts also. A7x is one of my 2 favorite modern metal bands to see and THE REV was arguably the best metal drummer in the world today. It is always sad to see young people die, especially with the talent the Jimmy Sullivan had. My sons and I are shocked and saddened by this news. At least we got to see him work 3 times. THE REV was an inspiration to my drumming son and he will be sorely missed. The world is a little less talented today! I hope Jimmy is finding his “Little Piece of Heaven”- whatever wacky way he wants it. R.I.P. REV A7x MUST live on. Jimmy would want it that way!
scott miller

Thanx CJ FROM A FRIEND..
Steff

I agree with cj, how dare you talk about someone who just passed away. Whether you knew him or not, I can guarantee he was a great guy. JUST because he may have done drugs, and has tattoos, does NOT make him a bad guy. Get the fuck off your high horse and have some respect for him!
“We have a special salute that we aim high in the air towards all those pompous assholes who spend their days pointing fingers, FUCK YOU”

R.I.P. Jimmy, you’re always going to be in everyone’s hearts. One of the best drummers out there, gone too much too soon. No one can really describe the pain everyone’s going through, but we will miss you dearly.
We love you!
stevecan2

Unfortunately when “natural causes” is the cause of death, more likely then not it is drug related when it’s anything other then an undiagnosed disease. However at only 28 years old it is a tragedy, not because he was a drummer in a popular band, but because bad decisions in your youth can always be corrected if given the time.
Anne

Which of the following does not belong?

28, rock star, natural cause of death

As much as I want to believe that it was a natural COD, I’m not sure if I can untill the offical COD has been determined
Cpm

Yes, 28 year old rock drummers die every day. Who knows, a heavy book might have fallen off it’s shelf in his library and hit him on the head….or, a car could have crashed through the wall of his house and struck him while he was sleeping…or, a radio might have fallen into the tub while he was taking a bath, or, he slipped in the shower and hit his head….or, maybe he OD’d on drugs. duh.
matt

anyone talking shit about this poor mans death are just jealous because you have no talent and the Rev was a great drummer. Way to be classy and insult the dead, pathetic cocksuckers
joker

this website is stupid, immidiate accusations, ripping on a dead legend and people claiming they spoke to him for 5 minutes and it changed their life, seriously, he was a legend and will be missed, i was a fan, but some people need to stop being so obsessive over artists. and about the drug thing, wait until he COD is officially announced, im not saying it happened or didnt, just saying your spreading shit. i dont see why he’d do cocaine in the middle of the day with no one around, well, not a great amount, maybe enough for a little buzz, but not enough for an OD. use your brain people, could be a serial killer as far as we know, considering the number of young deaths of natural causes, im sure there’s a poison somewhere that makes it seem like a natural death.
deef

RIP The Rev

You’re the best drummer …..

The Rev still the best…
chachaa

i’m so sad about this news. good bye the rev. we’ll missing you!
k1ng

I bet you I can beat the Rev at Guitar hero now on Drums….
Metal Muse

So here is what is bothering me… why do all the haters care anyway? If they didn’t like him, they can just pass by this like they pass by everything else and keep their sick comments to themselves. I also don’t understand how someone could have the gall to say that it was a drug overdose when medical officials are saying as far as they know it was natural causes. Please explain to me how people can do things like that.

BTW, I love A7X and will miss The Rev terribly. Sadly, the band won’t be the same without him.
alana

Ok so to be fair, coroners always say “natural cause of death” prelimarily if it is not a suspicious death. Aka murder, etc. They cannot and will not speculate on drug overdose until the toxicology reports come back, which is 4-6 weeks at the minimum. So quit freaking out about someone speculating drug use as the reason. People generally don’t die from natural causes at 28. Morons.
Insane Bane

Tragedy. I hate that this happened. R.I.P. Rev. I’ll see you in the afterlife my friend.
Bob Dole

To Gary Miller: Obama is a (*edited) who knows how to work a crowd. He sucks. Only an idiot would talk about the importance of war while giving a speech accepting a peace prize.

To alana: Kudos. No one generally dies from natural causes at 28.

To A7X and their fans: This site is not accusing Rev of an overdose, only saying that many of us, the fans, assume that it was because an article in Rolling Stone talked about Rev’s old drug habits. It is terribly sad to see Rev go like this regardless of the cause. He was a great drummer, and they put on a hell of a show together.
Gabriella

Im still shocked Rev IS the best drummer, RIP REV FEB 10 1981- DEC 28 2009
x.Twisted Whispers.x

it is fuck that he died don’t know if A7X will be able to ever find a drummer and brother like him.Even though I am a guitar player I’ll miss his drumming
Lov ya brother
andrew

r.i.p REV u will truly truly be missed
jecho

i was felt very lost…………cause my favourite drummer “the rev” was passed away.i believe u got peace in afterlife rev………i’ll miss u always…..

REST IN PEACE JAMES OWEN SULLIVAN A.K.A. THE REVEREND THOLOMEW PLAGUE
Shebeast23

Rev was an awesome drummer. One of the many inspirations i had just to pick up sticks, and he will be greatly missed! Who gives a F#$% how he died, all that matters is that it happened, and its sad. I send prayers to his family, A7X, and his friends. As for the douchebags that wanna slap him after he’s gone, get over yourselves…and Karma will catch up to you one day.
Charles Charron

# Gary Miller Talks Smack:
December 29th, 2009 at 11:20 pm

He was a puke bag faggot… Get over the BS. Honest, some of you people make me want to puke when I listen to all of this, he was a great guy, he will be greatly missed, he was the greatest drummer of them all, on and on and on. Get on to something more pleasant, such as, don’t you think
President Obama is doing a great job?????

YOU ARE A BIGGER PIECE OF SHIT THAN THAT DIPSHIT IN THE WHITEHOUSE…GET A LIFE YOU FUCKING LOSER!
Death Bat Babe

The Rev was the best so ppl yuu kno wht sto being assy bout the drugs,he rocked, yeh he did some drugs, tht doesnt mean tht killed him!
hes gunna be missed loads
love yuu Rev R.I.P (Rock In Paradise) x
Death Bat Babe

The Rev was the best so ppl yuu kno wht stop being assy bout the drugs,he rocked, yeh he did some drugs, tht doesnt mean tht killed him and so wht if it did hes not the only person yuu kno but hes loved by so many it didnt matter !
i will never forget him!
hes gunna be missed loads
love yuu Rev R.I.P (Rock In Paradise) x
MC

Wow…. how the hell did this happen, he was the best fucking drummer ive ever seen and he died? like what the fuck. Im a huge A7x fan and this sucks, how are they gonna finish the new record or even go on? Rev, ive only seen you play once in DTE but you rocked the house and inspired me to start playing drums even though i already was playing guitar, and i hope you find your peace in the afterlife, AND TO ALL YOU FUCKIN PANZIS WHO THINK YOURE FUCKIN SICK TALKING SHIT BOUT A FUCKIN DEAD BEAST OF A DRUMMER YOU CAN GO FUCK YOUR OWN ASS HOLE. LIKE WHY THE FUCK EVEN DO IT. thanks cj
Manish

RIP The Rev..! u’l be missed.. the best drummer…. of the best band ever.. May ur soul rest in peace..! totally shattered.. :’(
Gary miller is a fag

Someone please kick the shit out of Gary millers vasaline scented asshole, I’m not even an a7x fan but I am
a fan of the rev, what a fag
Iove you rev
rip
Nichole

i have never cried so much for someone i dont know. a7x has been just my freaking life for the past 6 years. just knowing that his talent is gone is just… i dont even now but with that said he may have or still did drugs but thats no reason to ridicule a deceased person. what he died from is really no ones concern but his family. i jusf cant get over some of the morals people have. if your grandma died i sure as hell wouldnt walk around telling people oh yeah she was a crack heaf but shes in hell now. jeez

REST IN PEACE JIMMY
my heart goes out to Leana and the rest of his family
<<<333333333333333
-nicky7x of Arrowhead, CA
emofggtsdie

gary miller…you took the words out of my mouth with that one, he wasnt the best drummer,he only wrote 1 sing the whole time he was in avenged sevenfold and it was a shitty 1 at that…but most of their songs were/are shitty

but hey look on the bright side you can see em live playing all the old song after they go buy a drum machine

1 more thing…cj barnes… CAPS LOCK DOSN’T MAKE YOU COOLER
brandon gonzalez

it sucks what happened to jimmy im goin to miss him alot he was my idol
brandon gonzalez

jimmy was the best drummer that would ever be in the face of the earth
http://avengedsevenfold.com cameron doucet

hello a7x i know you sad about jimmys death but i am too may you rip jimmy sullivian synyster gates you rock add me on msn at camflames@hotmail.com peace out i love the album city of evil your my favorite band and always will be!!!peace out sg
http://avengedsevenfold.com cameron doucet

you meant alot to us jimmy and may you rip cause we loved you
jeremy

DUDE WTF he cant be gone no fucking way ! i saw him i shok his hand ! wtf ! nooo he fuckin died on my birthday to,,,,, biggest bringdown ever ! fuckshit man, it cant be true ! ima go find him ! it seriously cant be true :(
http://www.myspace.com naomi_paws

this like a fall down in the history of music. The Rev is UNREPLACABLE!!! he will always be remembered in OUR HEARTS and everytime i listen to his voice in the song its like the world has come to an end!!! The Rev is #1 and will always be. R.I.P The Rev.. i love you!! and i love A7X..
Andrew

he likes dick and he died from a penis to the face
http://www.celebritysmackblog.com/2009/12/29/jimmy-sullivan-the-rev-avenged-sevenfold-drummer-dead-at-28/ gary lama

This is the most hurting news i’am ever getting to hear….May be the abrupt death of my own relatives has never made me sad how much this made today. I really miss you bloke….you are too goooooood. May your soul (R.I.P)
Victoria

A friend and i happened to be on our way home from a vacation when “rip rev” popped up on the screen of her blackberry at 6am. She asked me who it could be and i could only think of one possibility, i was trying to think of anybody else and hoped i was wrong….
unfortunately i wasnt and avenged sevenfold will never be completely the same i will always remember seeing them live at ODU and the truly amazing concert they put on.

To the people that are posting disrespectful and tasteless comments at a time like this, no one is asking you to magically become a fan of jimmy or the band… if you dont like them its whatever it isnt about liking them infact, if you really dont like them that much why did you care to read the news that he had died? And as for anyone who cares to comment on the cause being a natural one or not who cares! the term its self simply means no fowl play was involved sure there is still the possibility it could be drugs but it could also be heart problems and several other common health problems that occur in young people. Reguardless the bottom line is someone has DIED, there are friends, family and fans all grieving how about you show them the decency and respect everyone in this situation deserves and allow them to mourn in peace

RIP jimmy sullivan you will be missed
http://myspace Yvette

The Rev! hmmmm well this is heartbreaking of course! Im gana miss you so much ur one of the best drummers i have ever seen/heard! i love you with all my heart and always will! Those of you that are being dicks and all negative why dont you keep you comments to your self and let jimmy rest in peace!
i love you jimmy rest in peace!
dzacky

RIP jiimy sullivan..
a7x is the beast

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