Wayne Swinny, guitarist and founding member of Saliva, dies after 'spontaneous brain hemorrhage'

Wayne Swinny, guitarist and founding member of Memphis hard rock band Saliva, has died after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was 59.

Swinny’s bandmates confirmed his death in a Facebook post Wednesday.

“It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our brother Wayne Swinny,” the band wrote. “Wayne passed away this afternoon from a spontaneous brain hemorrhage while we were out on tour. … Wayne will be missed by all those who knew him.”

The band added: “We love you Wayne.”

News of Swinny’s death follows the musician’s hospitalization on Tuesday, after bandmates said he was found in “medical distress.”

“He was transported to a hospital where he was diagnosed with a spontaneous hemorrhage in his brain,” the band wrote on Facebook hours before Swinny’s death. “He is currently in the ICU as we await further news. We ask that you keep him in your thoughts and prayers at this time.”

Swinny formed Saliva, a band known for its angsty fusion of hard rock and hip-hop, in the late ‘90s with singer Josey Scott, guitarist Chris Dabaldo, bassist Dave Novotny and drummer Paul Crosby. The band, which was formed in the Memphis area, released its self-titled debut album in 1997, followed by its major-label debut “Every Six Seconds” in March 2001.

“Every Six Seconds,” which featured lead single “Your Disease,” went on to sell 1 million copies and earned the band a Grammy nomination for best hard rock performance in 2002.

Saliva co-founder Scott paid tribute to Swinny on Thursday. "I have no words," Scott said. "Just the love, and the little moments, and the looks that we shared, just between us and the fans, on stage, after stage, all over the world, that no one will ever know."

Scott added that, "Playing music, and writing music with a man like Wayne Swinny, for as long as we did, like we did, in all those places we did, is so very intimate. It was a love we shared together, and I will go into eternity holding on to that love, and those memories."

Bobby Amaru, who joined Slaiva as lead vocalist in 2012, also eulogized Swinny on social media.

"My heart aches for Wayne's family, his friends, and anyone who had the joy of being around him," wrote Amaru. "My heart aches for his daughter Nikki. He loved that little girl so much. He was a guitar hero onstage with all the rock 'n' roll swag that most guitar players dream of. Offstage he was a proud father, an Ancient Aliens expert, and an incredible human who had zero enemies! He would go out of his way to make sure you had a good time.

"I am grateful to have been a part of your life for close to 12 years! You were a Brother, a Mentor, and Friend. I wouldn’t change a thing…. I learned from the best! You lit every room up and I am beyond grateful to have witnessed it! I’ll always have our memories and will cherish them for the rest of my life! We will rock together again someday!"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wayne Swinny: Saliva member dies due to brain hemorrhage, band says