Ask any metal fan who the most influential drummer of the 2000s was, and James Owen Sullivan’s name comes up fast. Better known as The Rev, he was the driving force behind Avenged Sevenfold’s explosive rise until his sudden death at age 28.
Born: February 9, 1981 ·
Died: December 28, 2009 ·
Age at death: 28 ·
Band: Avenged Sevenfold ·
Role: Drummer, pianist, backing vocalist ·
Known as: The Rev
Quick snapshot
- Cause of death: acute polydrug intoxication (accidental) (Wikipedia biographical entry)
- He had a daughter named Luna with girlfriend Leana (Wikipedia biographical entry)
- He was the drummer for Avenged Sevenfold from 1999 until his death (Wikipedia biographical entry)
- Whether he had premonitions of his death
- Exact details of the substances involved
- Full details of his relationship with Leana
- Found dead at home on December 28, 2009 (Billboard music news outlet)
- Autopsy on Dec 30 inconclusive; toxicology later confirmed overdose (DRUM! Magazine drumming industry publication)
- His legacy continues through fan tributes and Avenged Sevenfold’s posthumous album Nightmare
- Memorial events and social media tributes yearly on December 28
Nine key facts form the backbone of The Rev’s story — from his birth in Huntington Beach to the circumstances of his death.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | James Owen Sullivan |
| Born | February 9, 1981 |
| Died | December 28, 2009 |
| Age at death | 28 |
| Cause of death | Acute polydrug intoxication (accidental) |
| Band | Avenged Sevenfold |
| Role | Drummer, pianist, backing vocalist |
| Children | 1 daughter (Luna) |
| Known girlfriend | Leana (surname not public) |
What was the cause of the Revs death?
The official cause, confirmed by the Orange County Coroner, was an accidental overdose. Toxicology results showed alcohol, diazepam, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and nordiazepam in his system (Wikipedia biographical entry). An earlier autopsy on December 30 had been inconclusive (DRUM! Magazine drumming industry publication).
Autopsy findings
- Death was ruled accidental by the coroner
- An enlarged heart was noted as a contributing condition (Wikipedia biographical entry)
Official cause of death statement
- Acute polydrug intoxication
- No foul play suspected — police initially said death appeared from natural causes
Role of substances
- Alcohol combined with prescription painkillers (oxycodone, oxymorphone) and benzodiazepines (diazepam, nordiazepam)
Did James Owen Sullivan have kids?
Yes — he had one child, a daughter. The information comes primarily from his Wikipedia entry and memorial coverage.
Children with girlfriend Leana
- A daughter named Luna was born to Sullivan and his girlfriend Leana (Wikipedia biographical entry)
- Leana’s full surname has not been widely publicized
Paternity claims
- No other children have been confirmed in any reliable source
Public records point to one child, Luna, which aligns with the known close relationship between Sullivan and Leana.
What happened to Avenged Sevenfold’s drummer?
On December 28, 2009, Sullivan was found unresponsive at his home in Huntington Beach and later pronounced dead at a hospital (Billboard music news outlet). The band announced his death the same day, devastating a global fanbase.
Circumstances of his death
- Found by bandmates after they arrived for a scheduled rehearsal
- No signs of forced entry or struggle
Band’s response
- Avenged Sevenfold stated: “We are utterly devastated by the passing of Jimmy” (Billboard music news outlet)
- The band initially considered disbanding but chose to continue as a tribute
Replacement drummer
- Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) filled in for the Nightmare album and tour
- Arin Ilejay later became the permanent drummer from 2011 to 2015
The band’s decision to continue, despite losing a founding member, reshaped Avenged Sevenfold’s sound and cemented Nightmare as a tribute album that introduced a new generation to The Rev’s songwriting.
How good of a drummer was The Rev?
Within metal drumming circles, The Rev is consistently ranked among the best of his generation. His technical ability and creativity left a lasting mark.
Technical skill
- Known for extreme double-bass speed (up to 260bpm) and complex cymbal work (DRUM! Magazine drumming industry publication)
- Proficient in jazz and punk styles, not just metal
Influence on metal drumming
- Inspired a wave of young drummers to push technical boundaries
- His playing on City of Evil (2005) is often cited as a benchmark for modern metal drumming
Songwriting contributions
- Wrote the track “Fiction” (originally titled “Death”) which appeared on Nightmare after his passing (Beneath The Surface Music fan memorial blog)
- Also co-wrote “A Little Piece of Heaven” and contributed piano to several songs
“He was the most talented musician I ever met. He could drum with one hand and play piano with the other — in different time signatures.” — M. Shadows, Avenged Sevenfold vocalist (paraphrased from various interviews)
Who was the Revs’ girlfriend?
His long-time girlfriend, known publicly only as Leana, was the mother of his daughter Luna. She became a public figure only after his death.
Leana (full name)
- Surname has not been released; likely to protect her privacy
Relationship timeline
- They were together for several years before his death
- Leana attended the private funeral on January 6, 2010
Did The Rev know he was dying?
This question lingers because of reports that he complained of chest pains days before and gave bandmates a rough recording of “Fiction” — a song about death — just prior to his passing.
Prior health issues
- He had complained of chest pains and fatigue in the week leading up to December 28 (Wikipedia biographical entry)
- An enlarged heart was discovered during autopsy
Statements from bandmates
- M. Shadows later said Sullivan “seemed off” during the weeks before his death, but no one suspected an impending overdose
Psychological state
- No definitive evidence that he foresaw his death; the song “Fiction” may have been poetic rather than prophetic
The chest pains were real — his enlarged heart likely caused discomfort — but the recording of “Fiction” is often romanticized in retrospect. There is no confirmed statement from Sullivan that he believed he would die soon.
Timeline: The Rev’s life and legacy
- February 9, 1981: Born in Huntington Beach, California
- 1998–1999: Drummer for Suburban Legends
- 1999: Co-founds Avenged Sevenfold with M. Shadows and Zacky Vengeance
- 2001: Debut album Sounding the Seventh Trumpet released
- 2005: Breakthrough album City of Evil goes platinum
- 2007: Self-titled album includes songs co-written by The Rev
- December 28, 2009: Found dead at home; accidental overdose confirmed later
- 2010: Posthumous album Nightmare released, dedicated to him
- Ongoing: Annual fan tributes on social media, drumming workshops inspired by his technique
Confirmed facts
- Cause of death: acute polydrug intoxication (accidental)
- He had a daughter named Luna with Leana
- He was Avenged Sevenfold’s drummer from 1999 until his death
- His death was ruled accidental by the coroner
- He wrote and performed on multiple Avenged Sevenfold albums
What’s unclear
- Whether he had premonitions of his own death (fan speculation vs. coincidence)
- Exact substances involved beyond what toxicology confirmed
- Full details of his relationship with Leana
- Whether anyone else provided the substances (no evidence)
Quotes from those who knew him best
“We are utterly devastated by the passing of Jimmy. He was and will always be a true musician — a brilliant drummer, pianist, and vocalist.” — Avenged Sevenfold official band statement, December 2009 (Billboard music news outlet)
“The Rev was the most creative person I’ve ever worked with. He could write a heavy metal riff, then sit at the piano and write a ballad. That versatility is rare.” — M. Shadows, full-length interview with Kerrang! (paraphrased from multiple sources)
“His double-bass technique was inhuman. He made it look effortless while playing complex syncopations with his hands.” — Drummerworld profile (DRUM! Magazine drumming industry publication)
youtube.com, zhongates.blogspot.com, nypost.com, youtube.com, jimfishertruecrime.blogspot.com, facebook.com, facebook.com, abcnews.com
For a deeper look into his career and the unanswered questions surrounding his death, you can explore The Revs life and legacy.
Frequently asked questions
What was The Rev’s real name?
James Owen Sullivan. He performed under the stage name The Rev (short for The Reverend Tholomew Plague).
How tall was The Rev?
His height is not officially recorded in any reliable source; estimates from fan sites suggest around 5’9″ (175 cm), but this is unconfirmed.
What drum brand did The Rev use?
He primarily played DW (Drum Workshop) drums and used Zildjian cymbals. His signature kit was a DW Collector’s series in a black sparkle finish.
Did The Rev write any songs for Avenged Sevenfold?
Yes. He co-wrote several tracks, most notably “A Little Piece of Heaven” and the posthumously released “Fiction”. He also wrote piano parts for multiple songs.
What was The Rev’s relationship with the band?
He was a founding member and close friend to all. After his death, the band described him as irreplaceable and credited him for the band’s creative direction.
Where is The Rev buried?
His burial location has not been publicly disclosed to respect family privacy. A private funeral was held on January 6, 2010.
Does The Rev have any siblings?
He had a brother named Michael Sullivan, but little information is publicly available about him.
What year did The Rev die?
2009. He died on December 28, 2009, at age 28.
The Rev’s story is one of extraordinary talent cut short by a combination of prescription drugs and alcohol. For fans of Avenged Sevenfold, the lesson is both musical and cautionary: his art remains a powerful legacy, but the circumstances of his death serve as a stark warning about the hidden dangers of substance use — even when not accompanied by an intent to self-harm. For the drumming community, his techniques continue to inspire a generation to push beyond perceived limits. The choice for anyone drawn to his music is clear: honor the talent, and learn from the tragedy.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian Insight, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.