KORN’s Brian 'Head' Welch on Mortality: "I Want to Die in a Bed, Not On Stage"

The guitarist jokes about death and emphasizes comfort over a dramatic on-stage exit.

By Tobias Romero

Sep 22, 2024

Brian “Head” Welch is considering retirement within the next 10 years but insists he won’t fake it if the band starts to sound outdated.
Welch prefers to “go out on a bed” rather than die on stage and jokes about missing out on a lifetime of drinking.
KORN is celebrating 30 years with a North American tour, featuring tracks from across their career, including rarely performed songs like “Hey Daddy”.

The Gist

Brian “Head” Welch from KORN isn’t buying into the whole “die on stage” fantasy. Asked recently about his 2014 comment—where he hinted at retiring by 60—he didn’t exactly backpedal. But he didn’t double down either. “Maybe I’ve got 10 years left. I think about it, sometimes. Not all the time.” The idea that they might start sounding like a washed-up act isn’t exactly thrilling. “If we start to sound like we’re past our prime? Done. Can’t fake it. Not happening.”

Dying on stage? Not his vibe.

“People say they wanna go out mid-performance. Not me. I want a bed. Preferably a comfortable one. Not some sweaty stage, wheezing into a mic.”

— More KORN News:

And because he can’t help himself, Welch adds, “But if I drop dead on stage? Someone better hand me a beer. Or 14. Missed out on that party.”

Getting old isn’t exactly fun, but it’s reality. “Yeah, it’s a little sad. We’re getting old.” No arguing that.

KORN kicked off their North American tour in September, starting in Florida. They’re celebrating 30 years of shaking things up. The setlist? A mix of the good ol’ stuff. “Oildale” from their 2010 album, Korn III: Remember Who You Are, and “Hey Daddy” from 1999’s Issues. They haven’t played that one in almost 25 years. Let that sink in.

They’re hitting 25 cities with GOJIRA and SPIRITBOX in tow. Places like Chicago, Phoenix, Toronto, and more. Tour wraps up in Minnesota on October 27. That’s a lot of noise for a bunch of middle-aged rockers.

Let’s rewind. 1994. KORN didn’t just arrive on the scene—they tore it apart. That debut album? It reshaped rock. Genre-smashing. Since then, they’ve sold 40 million records, won two Grammys, and played pretty much every corner of the planet. Rock. Metal. Alternative. All the lines blurred. They’re still influencing fans and bands alike. Impressive.

Then there’s Fieldy. Remember him? Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu. He stepped back from touring in 2021. Said he needed to “heal” after falling back into old habits. Fair enough. Ra Díaz from SUICIDAL TENDENCIES has been filling in ever since.

The big question is, how long will they keep at it? If Welch gets his way, they’ll quit while they’re ahead. Because who wants to see a legendary band fizzle out like a dying firecracker? Not Welch. Not anyone.