SHELBY, Mich. (WZZM) -- A West Michigan heavy metal musician is being remembered after dying in his sleep Saturday at his California home.
If you spent any time surfing the internet Monday you likely saw photos of Wayne Richard Wells, better known as Wayne Static, the metal rocker with a big goatee and tall spiked hair.
"A lot of people did not know he was from this town," said Aaron Desentz, Shelby Village Administrator.
Wells graduated from Shelby High in 1983 and gained tremendous fame in the metal scene as the front man for the band Static-X.
Shelby's village manager has the band's music on his phone. Years ago he imitated Wayne Static's unique style. "He was well known for his hair that stands about a foot over his head."
Static-X's album 'Wisconsin Death Trip' went gold then platinum. Wells' parents, Richard and Darlene Wells, live in Muskegon County and his awards hang in their basement. The Wells were too grief stricken to do an interview about their son's passing. They say he was scheduled to perform in Flint next week. His last Michigan shows were this summer.
The band and Wayne Static' publicist released a statement late Saturday night saying he passed away while sleeping at his home. No other details were released.
Wayne Static had just released a solo album; his publicist said the music was a tribute to his new drug-free life and he hoped the music would help others to get clean too.
In Shelby those who knew of Static's success say they admire the way he took a love for performing from their community to the world stage.
"Tremendous respect for his work ethic. It took a lot for him to achieve the recognition he had, which was on a world stage," said Paula Michalko, a Shelby Village Council member.
