Jonny Morelli, drummer and founder member of Italian pagan metallers DRAUGR, was killed in a road accident in his hometown of Pescara last night. He was 30 years old. Says DRAUGR’s manager Patricia Thomas:
“It is with a very heavy heart that I have to make the kind of announcement that every band manager hopes they will never have to make. Jonny Morelli, drummer and founder member of Italian Pagan metallers Draugr, lost his life at age 30 following a road accident in his home town of Pescara last night.
Jonny was not just a very talented musician who, in addition to his work with Draugr, which ended after ten years with the dissolution of the band in 2013, had, over the years, worked as a drummer both in the studio and on stage for many Italian bands, both metal and non-metal. He was also a tattoo artist and writer.
Over the past year Jonny, along with three other former members of Draugr, was working on a new musical project, due to launch in 2014, that would see him take care of vocals and lyrics, as well as the drums. An official statement regarding the project will follow soon.
My personal condolences go to Jonny’s family, friends, and the musicians who have played with him over the years. And of course to all the fans who have followed his work as a musician, tattoo artist and writer.
RIP Jonny.”