Former NINE INCH NAILS keyboardist JAMES WOOLLEY, who played with TRENT REZNOR's band from 1991 to 1994, died last SUNDAY at the age of 49, his ex-wife, KATE VAN BUREN, announced in a FACEBOOK post. No cause of death was given.
WOOLLEY recorded with NINE INCH NAILS on their groundbreaking 1994 album, "The Downward Spiral.”
VAN BUREN first met WOOLLEY at the SUNSET SOCIAL CLUB in L.A.: “It was love at first sight. I did not know he played keyboards in NINE INCH NAILS until weeks later.”
TRENT RENZOR said in a statement: “Terrible news regarding JAMES. I hadn’t crossed paths with him for some time, but always thought of him fondly. He was a fun character to be around, a solid musician and a genuinely good guy. Those of us from that era of the band have been sharing ‘JAMES’ stories ... lots of laughs and love and sadness. Wishing his family the very best.”
WOOLLEY joined NIN from CHICAGO’s DIE WARZAU, and after leaving, played briefly in 2WO with JUDAS PRIEST lead singer ROB HALFORD.
He also worked as a producer for other groups and did sound design on “The Simpsons.”
“JAMES worked hard and played hard with NIN,” wrote VAN BUREN. “He brought coolness to playing keyboards, which isn’t as easy to do as playing guitar or drums.”
WOOLLEY is survived by his three children, BRANDAN, MARY and ANNE, his parents, JOHN and NANCY WOOLLEY, and his brother JOHN.
A funeral service is scheduled for SATURDAY (AUGUST 20th) at OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CHURCH in NILES, IL.
