Sid Wilson
As Slipknot's manic turntablist #0, he transformed the DJ into a core element of heavy metal's sonic and visual chaos.
Born 1977 (age 49)·American DJ and keyboardist·Birthday: January 20·Generation X
Biography
Behind the terrifying clown mask and the designation #0, Sid Wilson brought a new kind of noise to heavy metal. As Slipknot's turntablist, he wasn't just adding samples; he weaponized vinyl scratches, electronic shrieks, and hip-hop breaks into the band's dense, aggressive soundscape. His frenetic, often self-destructive stage presence—leaping from risers and spinning records with violent energy—became a vital part of the band's visceral live spectacle. Before joining the nine-piece Iowa collective, Wilson was a respected figure in the underground DJ scene, known as 'DJ Starscream.' His integration into Slipknot broke boundaries, proving that turntables could be as essential to metal's fury as distorted guitars and blast-beat drums.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Sid was born in 1977, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Sid Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
Sid's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Could drive
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Has been the full-time turntablist and keyboardist for the Grammy-winning metal band Slipknot since 1998.
- Performed on all of Slipknot's studio albums, which have sold tens of millions of copies worldwide.
- Released solo electronic music under the moniker 'Sid' and previously as 'DJ Starscream'.
- His chaotic and acrobatic performances are a central part of Slipknot's legendary live shows.
Did You Know?
He is a skilled breakdancer and often incorporates moves into his onstage performance.
Wilson is a licensed pilot and has expressed a passion for flying.
He adopted the number #0 because, as he stated, it comes before #1.
He sustained numerous injuries during performances, including breaking his ankles on multiple occasions.
“I'm here to make the chaos sound beautiful.”
