![Jim Root Originally Declined Joining Slipknot Twice](https://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2019/07/Slipknot-Knotfest-MattStasi-0290.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Jim Root Originally Declined Joining Slipknot Twice
Ever wonder what a band would sound like or how their success would have played out if one of the members never joined? Slipknot's had a few members come and go over the years, but Jim Root has been in the band since their self-titled album came out with the classic lineup that we know today. He did, however, decline joining multiple times.
The guitarist recalls that when he was in his mid-20s, original Knot singer Anders Colsefni called him about replacing original guitarist Donnie Steele. "I said no at that time because I haven't been playing guitar and I knew that those guys were players," Root told WMMR. "My chops were bad, I haven't even touched a guitar in years, so I was just kind of, like, 'Nah, I'm just going to be a regular dildo, work and do all that.'"
Root was also involved in a funk-rock project at the time, so he devoted his focus to that band. He joined Stone Sour in 1996, founded by Corey Taylor, who would replace Colsefni in Slipknot a year later. "I was, like, 'If Slipknot ever called me, I won't join, I don't want to feel like it's handed to me, I got to feel like I worked for it, like something I've achieved.' And sure enough, they did. I never thought they would, so I said no," Root added.
"And then finally, I got to the point where I just realized, my buddy Zack, who borrowed me a guitar, said, 'What, are you stupid? Very few times in life do you get a chance to take a great step forward. Even if you fall flat on your face, you can always come back.' So I called Clown, and the rest is history."
Listen to the full interview here.
Slipknot's Knotfest Roadshow wrapped up just over a week ago, but they'll be back for some festival appearances later this fall before they head to Europe in 2020 with Behemoth. See the dates here.
Top 50 Rockers Who've Been in Multiple Successful Bands
Top 50 Rockers Who've Been in Multiple Successful Bands
More From Loudwire
![Jay Weinberg Working With Therapist to Process Split With Slipknot](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2023/11/attachment-jay_weinberg.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Seven Songs Slipknot Played at Their First-Ever Ozzfest Show](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-slipknot_ozzfest_1999.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Best Nu-Metal Album of Each Year Since 1994](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-18.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Geezer Butler Was a Fan of Slipknot + Other Younger Metal Bands in the ’90s](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-geezer_butler_younger_bands.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![What Band Did You Love But Don’t Anymore? – Reddit Users Discuss](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-System-of-a-Down-Disturbed-Slipknot.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Clown Names the Two Big Reasons Slipknot Haven’t Shared ‘Look Outside Your Window’ Yet](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/05/attachment-slipknot_clown_mask_2021.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Jay Weinberg Appears on First Song Since Slipknot Departure](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-Jay-Weinberg-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Everything We Learned About Slipknot From Clown’s Q+A on Reddit](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-clown_slipknot_sandwich.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![When Kids Tear Up the Mosh Pit](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-Moshing-Kid.jpg?w=980&q=75)