James Root

James Donald "Jim" Root[1] � (born� December 25, 1960), also known by his number� #4, is an American/Italian� musician� known for being the� rhythm� and� lead� guitarist inSlipknot, and the� lead guitarist,� backing vocalist� for� Stone Sour. He was the last member to join the current line-up of Slipknot, in January 1999.

Personal life and career
James Root has performed in bands such as Anal Blast, Atomic Opera, Deadfront and Stone Sour; the latter which he joined in 1995, and returned to along with vocalist� Corey Taylor, during its revival in 2002. Prior to joining Slipknot, he worked as a� screenprinter,� waiter, and� busboy. Root joined the band in January 1999, replacing their original guitarist,� Josh Brainard, who left the band during the recording of their� self-titled album, reportedly after having fulfilled his recording duties. In fact, the only two songs Root recorded during the album's sessions were "Purity" and "Me Inside", the former being featured only on the short-lived first pressing of� Slipknot� and the latter being its replacement. Despite this, the song has become a staple for most of the band's� live performances. Slipknot vocalist� Corey Taylor� invited Root to join the band based on Taylor's past experiences working with him in Stone Sour.

As well as lending his� guitar� talents to Stone Sour, Root has also performed� drums� on one song the band has recorded, the� Come What(ever) May� bonus track� "The Day I Let Go". Outside Slipknot and Stone Sour, Root has appeared on Slipknot� turntablist� Sid Wilson's DJ Starscream album� The New Leader� andJohn 5's� The Devil Knows My Name, For the song "Black widow of La Porte", and also appeared on the� Roadrunner United� project, performing the solo and harmony guitars on "Tired 'N Lonely" from the project's album� The All-Star Sessions. He also appeared on� Jonathan Davis and the SFA´s cover of� Lil Wayne´s "Got Money".

[edit]Masks
Root originally used a� bondage hood, inherited from Slipknot's original guitarist Josh Brainard following his departure from the band. He had purple hair at the time and would pull parts of it through a hole in the top of the mask. After a couple of performances and one photo shoot, he decided to change masks, as the bondage hood was too uncomfortable for him and would often distract him when playing. He then began using a� jester-style mask, said to represent that side of his personality. His most recent variation of the mask remains jester-styled, but has vertical black scars detailing around both eyes, and a zipper in between black lips.