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

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.”

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.

Korn 2024 Tour Dates With Special Guests Gojira And Spiritbox:

• Sep 14 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
• Sep 16 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
• Sep 18 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
• Sep 20 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
• Sep 21 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
• Sep 23 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
• Sep 25 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
• Sep 27 – Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
• Sep 28 – Chicago, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
• Sep 29 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life Festival
• Oct 02 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
• Oct 03 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
• Oct 05 – Los Angeles, CA – BMO Stadium
• Oct 06 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
• Oct 08 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
• Oct 10 – Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Dome
• Oct 12 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheatre
• Oct 13 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Center
• Oct 16 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
• Oct 18 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
• Oct 20 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
• Oct 21 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
• Oct 23 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
• Oct 25 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
• Oct 27 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center