Corrosion Of Conformity frontman Pepper Keenan has shared a deeply personal story about late drummer Reed Mullin, revealing that Dave Grohl quietly stepped in to help fund Mullin’s rehabilitation before his passing in 2020.
Speaking on The Garza Podcast, Keenan reflected on Mullin’s declining health in the years leading up to his passing, admitting the band exhausted every avenue in an effort to help their longtime bandmate recover.
“No. Well, his health was not well. And we tried everything. [We] didn’t know. He just couldn’t get it together, man. And we tried everything. And Dave Grohl offered help — Dave Grohl had helped him with rehab, paid for it out of his own pocket, which was very kind. [I’ll] never forget that.”
Mullin, who co-founded Corrosion Of Conformity in 1982, battled ongoing health issues in the years before his death, including an alcohol related seizure in 2016. Despite those struggles, Keenan says the drummer’s musical legacy remains untouchable (per Blabbermouth).
“When he was at the top of his game, he was a fucking animal on the drums. You couldn’t touch him in terms of creativity and moving that type of music forward. He’s one of the O.G.s of the crossover shit back in the day, so he truly had helped invent something.”
Mullins still had plenty left to offer
While Keenan admitted it’s impossible to know how things might have unfolded had Mullin overcome his health challenges, he believes the drummer still had plenty left to offer.
“I do think if he’d had gotten through all this stuff and could’ve cleaned everything up… if he was here right now, I think the band would be tearing shit up.”
The emotional recollection comes just months after guitarist Woody Weatherman revealed the band still feels Mullin’s presence while recording its latest album, Good God / Baad Man, saying drummer Stanton Moore occasionally played fills that instantly reminded the group of their late friend.
Corrosion Of Conformity ‘Asleep On The Killing Floor’ video
Corrosion Of Conformity have since welcomed Nick Shabatura into the lineup following the release of Good God / Baad Man, but Mullin’s influence continues to loom large over the band’s music.
Keenan’s comments also shine a light on an act of generosity from Grohl that remained largely private, highlighting the Foo Fighters frontman’s willingness to support fellow musicians away from the spotlight.
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