The Rev (View : 1395)

James Owen Sullivan better known by his stage name, The Rev, was the drummer for the American rock band Avenged Sevenfold, and was as well the lead vocalist in the avant-garde metal band Pinkly Smooth, along with fellow Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates. Sullivan lived in Huntington Beach, California and was engaged to Leana MacFadden known as Leana Silver.

James Sullivan performed vocals and piano in his and Synyster Gates side project, Pinkly Smooth, who released their only album, Unfortunate Snort, in 2002. He was most notable as the drummer and a backing-vocalist in Avenged Sevenfold.

His vocals were also featured in other songs from the Avenged Sevenfold eponymous album, such as "A Little Piece of Heaven", "Brompton Cocktail", "Gunslinger", "Lost", and "Afterlife". Sullivan also played many different instruments other than the drums, such as the piano and guitar and had used these abilities to write songs such as "A Little Piece of Heaven". Before leaving to join Avenged Sevenfold, Sullivan performed with the third wave ska band Suburban Legends, as their drummer.

Sullivan was the primary writer for the songs "Almost Easy", "A Little Piece of Heaven", "Afterlife" and "Brompton Cocktail" that appear on Avenged Sevenfold's self-titled album. He also wrote parts for "Critical Acclaim" and "Lost". He provided vocals in "A Little Piece of Heaven", "Afterlife", "Crossroads", "Critical Acclaim", and the cover of Iron Maiden's "Flash of the Blade".

He had stated he was influenced by drummers such as Vinnie Paul, Mike Portnoy, and Terry Bozzio.

Sullivan was found dead in his home on December 28, 2009. His death was reported as due to natural causes at the scene; however, the results of the autopsy performed were inconclusive, and further tests are pending.

On January 5, 2010, a private funeral was held for Sullivan, and a day later he was buried in an undisclosed location.