Corey Taylor

Corey Todd Taylor is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and author, best known as the lead vocalist for the Grammy Award-winning heavy metal band Slipknot, where he is identified by the number #8. He also fronts the rock band Stone Sour, which he co-founded in 1992. Taylor's vocal range, blending guttural screams and melodic singing, has made him one of the most recognizable voices in metal. As of 2026, he has released two solo albums, CMFT (2020) and CMF2 (2023), and continues to tour and write. His influence extends beyond music into writing, with several published books, and he remains a prominent figure in heavy metal culture.[edit]

Corey Taylor was born in Des Moines, Iowa, but his childhood was far from settled. He moved frequently with his mother and siblings, spending a significant stretch in Waterloo, Iowa, where he lived with his grandmother. She provided stability and introduced him to a wide range of music, from country to classic rock, sparking his early passion. Taylor has spoken openly about a difficult upbringing that included abuse and neglect, experiences he later channeled into his songwriting. He attended community college briefly but dropped out to pursue music full-time. In his teens, he played in several local bands, honing his skills as a vocalist and guitarist. A pivotal moment came when he co-founded Stone Sour in 1992, though the band initially remained a local act. Taylor worked various odd jobs to support himself, including stints at a gas station and a video store, while relentlessly pursuing his musical ambitions. His big break arrived in late 1997 when Slipknot, then a rising band from Des Moines, asked him to audition as their lead vocalist. He joined immediately, replacing the original singer, and the rest is history.[edit]

Taylor's career took off when Slipknot's self-titled debut album dropped in 1999, going Platinum and establishing the band as a force in nu-metal. Their follow-up, Iowa (2001), debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and cemented their reputation. In 2002, Taylor revived Stone Sour, releasing their self-titled debut in 2006, which reached number 28 on the Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy nomination. With Slipknot, he released Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) (2004), which won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance for the single "Before I Forget." The band's 2008 album All Hope Is Gone debuted at number one. Taylor launched his solo career with CMFT in 2020, followed by CMF2 in 2023, both showcasing his versatility. He has also collaborated with artists like Korn, Disturbed, and Code Orange, and authored books including Seven Deadly Sins and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Heaven.[edit]

Corey Taylor's public persona is a study in contrasts. Onstage with Slipknot, he is an explosive, masked figure channeling raw aggression. Offstage, he is articulate, thoughtful, and often funny. The media often highlights his honesty about mental health struggles, addiction, and his outspoken views on social issues. His signature masks, which he helps design, have become iconic symbols of Slipknot's theatricality. In his solo work, he adopts a more casual, rock-star aesthetic, often wearing a simple shirt and jeans. Fans, known collectively as Maggots, are fiercely loyal, and Taylor engages with them directly on social media, where his voice is direct and personal. He frequently uses his platform to discuss music, mental health, and his creative projects, fostering a deep connection with his audience.[edit]

Corey Taylor commands a global attention that spans decades of heavy metal evolution, maintaining a consistent presence across media coverage, search activity, and consumption signals worldwide. His standing within the genre is quantified by his position as the 38th most famous person in Metal, a placement he has held steady through recent cycles of industry shifts. This ranking reflects his dual influence as the frontman for Slipknot and Stone Sour, alongside his solo work and literary contributions. The iFANN Global Fame Rankings serve as the primary reference for this metric, documenting his sustained relevance without relying on transient metrics. While his fame is rooted in musical aggression and theatricality, it extends into a broader cultural footprint where his vocal range and public persona remain defining elements of modern rock history.

Regarding his audience, there is no formally documented name specific to Corey Taylor's personal fanbase distinct from the collective identity of Slipknot supporters. Fans are generally referred to as "Maggots," a moniker established by the band itself rather than a separate designation for Taylor's solo or Stone Sour endeavors. Despite the lack of a unique label, the community remains highly organized and influential, driving significant cultural events such as the 25th-anniversary show and the release of long-shelved material like Look Outside Your Window. This dedicated following actively engages with rituals centered on mask iconography and maintains a robust presence in online discourse, ensuring that Taylor's legacy continues to evolve alongside the band's current developments.[edit]

Corey Taylor is a devoted wrestling enthusiast who has appeared on WWE programming, including a backstage segment at WrestleMania. He is also an avid reader who penned the fictional horror novel House of Gold & Bones, which inspired a Stone Sour album series. Despite his aggressive stage persona, he is known for articulate and often self-deprecating humor during interviews. Taylor designed many of his own Slipknot masks, each reflecting a different era of the band. He has publicly battled addiction and mental health issues, using his platform to advocate for recovery and therapy. His favorite book is The Stand by Stephen King, which he once cited as a major influence on his writing. A widely retold story in the band's lore involves Taylor witnessing Slipknot perform live for the first time roughly thirty years before joining them, an experience he described as profoundly impactful. Another notable event was the 25th-anniversary show curated by Taylor, featuring a cast of over 50 members from the horror film genre. Folklore among newer fans sometimes confuses his mask number, with some recalling him as #9 despite the official designation being #8. Recent discussions have also centered on the reported permanent removal of founding member Sid Wilson after nearly 30 years, a shift expected to define the band's modern history.

A frequently cited revelation involves Taylor explaining the specific purpose behind the inclusion of kegs in Slipknot's sonic landscape and live performances, a detail recently clarified during an appearance on Mythical Kitchen's 'Last Meals' series. This disclosure has become a focal point for fans analyzing the band's production techniques. Additionally, the narrative of Taylor leaving Stone Sour in 1997 to join Slipknot, only to reform the former upon the latter's hiatus in 2002, remains a staple of the band's historical duality. These stories collectively form the mythology surrounding his career, blending verified events with the enduring legends of the metal community.[edit]

Taylor's mother, who raised him as a single parent, worked multiple jobs to support the family. He has a close bond with his grandmother, who he credits with introducing him to music. He has three children: son Griffin Parker Taylor (born 2002) with his first wife Scarlett, daughter Angeline (born 2002) with his second wife Stephanie, and a stepdaughter from Stephanie's previous relationship. Taylor lives in Des Moines with his fiancée Alicia Dove and their blended family. He has spoken about the importance of being present for his children, something he felt was lacking in his own upbringing.[edit]

Corey Taylor is closely associated with his Slipknot bandmates, including Shawn Crahan, Jim Root, and Mick Thomson, as well as past members Joey Jordison and Paul Gray. In Stone Sour, he works with Josh Rand and Roy Mayorga. He has collaborated with Jonathan Davis of Korn, David Draiman of Disturbed, and Randy Blythe of Lamb of God. His fiancée is Alicia Dove, a professional wrestler and musician.[edit]

Corey Taylor married Scarlett Burres in 2004; they had a son together before divorcing in 2007. In 2009, he married Stephanie Luby, with whom he had a daughter and raised a stepchild; they divorced in 2019. Since 2019, Taylor has been in a relationship with Alicia Dove, a professional wrestler and frontwoman of the band Hell Touched. He proposed on Valentine's Day 2021, and as of 2026, they remain engaged.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Corey Taylor's net worth in 2026 stands at $12 Million. This figure represents a cumulative estimate derived from his extensive career in the music industry. Primary revenue streams include album sales and royalties generated by Slipknot's multi-platinum catalog, alongside earnings from extensive touring with both Slipknot and Stone Sour. Merchandise sales further contribute to this financial standing. His solo albums CMFT and CMF2 have added additional revenue channels to his portfolio. Income is also generated through his literary works, specifically Seven Deadly Sins and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Heaven, as well as occasional acting roles. Endorsements and public appearances provide supplementary income. Over recent years, his net worth has grown steadily, supported by the continued popularity of Slipknot and his ongoing solo touring activities.[edit]

Corey Taylor has won two Grammy Awards with Slipknot: Best Metal Performance for 'Before I Forget' (2006) and Best Hard Rock Performance for 'The Day of the Gusano (Live)' (2017). He also won the Metal Hammer Golden Gods 'Riff Lord' award in 2009 and was ranked #1 on Kerrang!'s '50 Greatest Rockstars in the World Today' list in 2011.[edit]