James Woolley, former keyboardist for the seminal industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, died over the weekend. He was 50.
“James passed away,” Woolley”s ex-wife Kate Van Buren wrote on Facebook. “James worked hard and played hard with NIN. He brought coolness to playing keyboards, which isn't as easy to do as playing guitar or drums. Those years were truly magical and quite an adventure.”
Woolley first joined Trent Reznor”s group in 1991, playing on the inaugural Lollapalooza tour. He continued as part of the group through the Broken EP and the quadruple platinum-selling LP, The Downward Spiral. For his work on Broken, Woolley earned a Grammy for Best Metal Performance. Woolley later earned a second Grammy for Best Metal Performance for his work on “Happiness in Slavery” at Woodstock '94.
Former NIN bandmate and Filter frontman Richard Patrick wrote on Instagram, “I miss my buddy. #nin #gonetoosoon”
Woolley is survived by his three children. The cause of death has not yet been announced.