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Evanescence Loses a Drummer and Guitarist

Evanescence has ostensibly become a solo project. The hard-rocking band, who broke out with 2003's Fallen, suffered another two departures this week by drummer Rocky Gray and guitarist John LeCompt, leaving singer Amy Lee as the group's only original member. Guitarist and co-founder Ben Moody and bassist William Boyd left the band in years previous.

Lee posted this message on the band's official website: "Evanescence is alive and well. John and Rocky were in Evanescence for four years and we shared some great times together playing live, but they were ready to move on and so we have parted ways. Evanescence is something I have loved and nurtured since I was 14, and I will continue to protect and fight for it as I always have."

Despite losing two core members of the band, Lee promises that Evanescence will not cancel any upcoming live dates. They are scheduled to perform in Columbus, Ohio in as soon as two weeks (May 19th).

Gray responded to the departure with a MySpace blog post, writing, "Amy Lee's management e-mailed me last night to tell me that, in their view, the contract I signed to record, perform and tour with the group says that I'm not allowed to have any free speech in regard to Evanescence."

"The way they spin it, I'm not even allowed to say I quit the group," the drummer continued. "I guess. But the news is out there, so, there ya go. I need to have a lawyer read over all that mess to tell me what, when and how I can tell you all — the REAL FANS — what really went down, if I ever can, haha."

—TheARTISTdirect Staff
05.07.07