In a heartfelt tribute, Joey Jordison’s family recently shared a glimpse into the origins of Slipknot’s iconic “tribal S” logo. This emblem, which has become synonymous with the band’s identity, was first sketched by Jordison himself.
The late drummer, who was instrumental in forming Slipknot in 1995, not only contributed to the band’s name but also designed the logo that would become a staple of their image. In a 2017 interview with Kerrang!, Jordison recounted the creation of the logo. “I have tons of folders of sketches, logos of pretty much any band I’ve been in. I drew the Slipknot logo and the tribal ‘S’,” he shared.
Jordison’s creative process began at his childhood home, where he drew the logo on his father’s old desk. “I drew that logo on my dad’s old desk in the house I grew up in. I had this little piece of paper and drew it with pen and ink. It stained the desk! I took it to band practice and they loved it. The next thing you know, almost half of the band got it tattooed – this was before we got signed,” he recalled.
To honor Jordison’s legacy, his family posted a photo of the original desk drawing on their Instagram account, which they launched in July 2022. The caption read, “The first tribal ‘S’ drawn by Joey on the desk that was handed down to him by his dad. To the fans-thank you for always supporting and loving Joey. You guys meant the world to him. We love you Joey. Forever our #1.”
Fans responded with an outpouring of love and respect, many sharing that they have the logo tattooed on their arms. This widespread adoption of the logo underscores Jordison’s profound impact on Slipknot’s legacy and the deep connection fans feel to the band.
Jordison’s influence on Slipknot extended beyond the logo. He played a pivotal role in naming the band. In an interview, he explained, “It wasn’t my total idea to call the band Slipknot, it was a band discussion and it was a unified thing,” though he did suggest the name during a brainstorming session.
The “tribal S” logo has become a symbol of Slipknot’s unique identity and enduring legacy. Its creation story, rooted in Jordison’s personal history and artistic vision, adds a layer of depth to its significance. As fans continue to celebrate and remember Jordison, the logo stands as a testament to his lasting influence on the band and its followers.
