Wayne Swinny, a founding member and guitarist for Saliva, has died. He was 59.
Swinny’s cause of death was due to a brain hemorrhage. Saliva shared via Facebook earlier today (March 22), “Our dear brother Wayne Swinny was discovered Tuesday morning in medical distress and paramedics were called. He was transported to a hospital where he was diagnosed with a Spontaneous Hemorrhage in his brain.” The statement continued, “He is currently in the ICU as we await further news. We ask that you keep him in your thoughts and prayers at this time.”
A rep for the band confirmed Swinny’s death to TMZ. Singer Bobby Amaru shared his own personal statement regarding the sudden passing of Swinny. Amaru said, in part, “I’m not even sure what to think or how to feel right now. My heart aches for Wayne’s family, his friends, and anyone who had the joy of being around him. My heart aches for his daughter Nikki. He loved that little girl so much.
He continued, “I’m grateful that I got to share almost 12 years of my life with Wayne on the stage and most importantly off the stage. He was the older brother I never had.”
Swinny was the last original member still in Saliva at his time of death. He’s appeared on all 11 studio albums, from their 1997 self-titled debut to 2018’s 10 Lives.
