Corey Taylor Credits These Two Rockers for Inspiring His Sobriety
Corey Taylor has always been forthcoming about his sobriety journey, so it’s not a surprise he shouted out two notable rock figures in inspiring him to get clean.
Taylor shared with Consequence that Metallica’s James Hetfield and Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell were two big inspirations in his sobriety. The Slipknot frontman looked at Hetfield’s strength in his sobriety journey and thought he might have that same gumption, too. As for Cantrell, the AIC guitarist was getting sober around the same time as Taylor.”
“It definitely helped to know that I wasn’t alone in it, and it certainly helped me clear my head and focus more,” said Taylor. “And really get down to writing again — really, truly writing.”
Taylor’s new album, CMF2, is out now and available here. He’s currently out on tour in support of his second solo LP. All upcoming dates are below.
Corey Taylor – CMF2 U.S. Tour Dates
9/15 – Wallingford, CT – The Dome at Oakdale **
9/16 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount **
9/18 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues **
9/19 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues **
9/21 – Huntsville, AL – Mars Music Hall **
9/22 – Louisville, KY – Kentucky Exposition Center (Louder Than Life) ***
9/24 – Houston, TX – House of Blues **
9/25 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues **
9/27 – Albuquerque, NM – Revel **
9/28 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre **
9/29 – Henderson, NV – The Dollar Loan Center ***
10/1 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues **
10/3 – Riverside, CA – Riverside Municipal Auditorium **
10/5 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern **
10/7 – Sacramento, CA – Discovery Park (Aftershock Festival) ***
* w/ Wargasm & Oxymorrons
** w/ Wargasm & Luna Aura
*** Festival / Radio show
5 Corey Taylor Quotes to Live By
Corey Taylor is one of the most prominent figures in rock today and for good reason: He always has something interesting to say, and it seems like that trait isn’t something that’s waning with age.
One of the funniest things Taylor said in 2023 was his rant against a certain Beatles song. That song? The 1967 stand-alone single “All You Need Is Love.” In fact, his hatred led to him writing “All I Want Is Hate” for his second solo album CMF2.
In an August appearance on the Zach Sang Show, Taylor said, “‘All You Need Is Love’ is one of the biggest pieces of sh-t that I’ve ever heard in my life. And every time I hear it, I feel like I’m getting shot at.”
Taylor’s forthcomingness is truly part of his charm and what makes him so appealing. This year marks his 50th birthday. While some might shy away from the subject of such a milestone birthday, Taylor doesn’t. Speaking with WRIF’s Meltdown back in May, Taylor said about turning 50, “I think about it constantly. I think about it when I get up out of bed. I think about it when I step on stage, and I break my back. I’m like, ‘What am I doing?!'”
He continued, referencing his solo shows, “But, then I have to remember: I’m a mental person, so this is all I want to do. Obviously, it’s a different kind of set I used to do when I was younger, when I was a kid. At the same time, I still love to play. I still love performing, and I love to get out there and try to do it as hard as I can. Until I break my neck again, I think I’ll just keep going.”
Obviously, Taylor is no stranger to the interview pull quote. After all, he is also an accomplished author. In honor of Taylor’s birthday today (December 8), here are five quotes from his books everyone should live by.
Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights
