James Woolley Of Nine Inch Nails and Die Warzau Has Died

Stereo Embers has learned that former Nine Inch Nails keyboardist James Woolley has died.

He was 50.

The Grammy Award-winning musician is perhaps best known for playing on NIN’s signature album The Downward Spiral as well as the mini-album Broken.

However, prior to joining the band, he played in the industrial Chicago band Die Warzau and he played with Sister Machine Gun as well.

Woolley, who replaced Lee Mars, played with Nine Inch Nails for three years, from 1991-1994 and turned in memorable performances in front of thousands at Lollapalooza and Woodstock.

Although Woolley left the band in the middle of their 1994 Self-Destruct tour, he won a Grammy for playing on “Happiness in Slavery” which appeared on the Woodstock ’94 compilation.

After Woolley left NIN he played with Rob Halford and Marilyn Manson in the short-lived project 2wo and later formed the band V.O.I.D.

He also did sound effects for The Simpsons.

Although the cause of death has not been disclosed, Woolley’s ex-wife Kate Van Buren told Loudwire: “James passed away this weekend…James worked hard and played hard with NIN. He brought coolness to playing keyboards, which isn’t as easy to do as playing guitar or drums.”

She also posted the news on Facebook, writing: “I wanted our friends to know. Please keep the Woolley family and all his loved ones in your prayers.”