PILGRIM Frontman Jon Rossi Dies Aged 26
October 26th, 2017
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Jon Rossi, vocalist and guitarist of Rhode Island-based doom metal band Pilgrim, died unexpectedly on October 26th, 2017 at the age of 26. No cause of death has been revealed at the time of writing.
Coolmoen, Norway-based doom metal Devil issued the following statement: “The world has lost a wizard.
“We are very sorry to hear about the passing of Jon Rossi of Pilgrim. We crossed paths a couple of times, and a more humble and kind soul you won’t come across often.
“Our deepest condolances to Jon’s family, friends and his brothers in Pilgrim.
“Rest in Peace, Wizard. The pilgrimage has just begun.”
Jonathan Michael Rossi was born on April 25th, 1991.
Provisionally titled Big Cheese during a grunge phase, Pilgrim formed in 2009-2010, eventually consisting of Rossi, bassist Eric Dittrich, and drummer Nick Nosach. The Wizard, Count Elric The Soothsayer, and Krolg, Slayer Of Men were the pseudonyms they adopted, the names formerly their Dungeons & Dragons monikers from the days they used to play the fantasy role-playing game.
Inspiration for Pilgrim’s band name came from the October 2007 Om full-length Pilgrimage.
Two-track demo Forsaken Man emerged in 2011, the demo coming to the attention of Primordial frontman Alan ’Nemtheanga’ Averill. Averill’s label Poison Tongue Records, a subsidiary of Metal Blade, signed Pilgrim on November 22nd of that year.
With Boston, Massachusetts-based doom metal group Ice Dragon and limited to 300 copies, the split ten-inch vinyl single ‘Astaroth’ was issued through Yersinia Pestis Records on December 3rd.
Produced by Henry Yuan, debut full-length studio album Misery Wizard had been recorded at Emandee Studios in Brooklyn, New York that September. Said effort was issued in January 2012.
Parent label Metal Blade signed the trio, news of the contract being revealed on May 6th, 2013. Original bassist Eric Dittrich parted ways with Pilgrim later that year.
Second studio affair II: Void Worship was recorded at Moonlight Mile Recording in Hoboken, New Jersey by Mike Moebius, and released in April 2014. Rossi handled bass in the studio, Ice Dragon drummer Brad Richardson occupying the bass position on live commitments previous to that, and going forward. Richardson adopted the name Bradoc The Thunderer.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Jon Rossi was held on November 2nd, 2017 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Westerly, Rhode Island. His burial was held be private.
Promotional photograph by Harry Gould Harvey IV.
