<img src="https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&amp;c2=36750692&amp;cv=3.6.0&amp;cj=1"> 'It wasn't his time': What happened to Rook, MGK's drummer? – We Got This Covered
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
Your details are incorrect, or aren't in our system yet. Please try again, or sign up if you're new here.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Create a GAMURS
By g up, you agree to our and of Service.
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Choose a name
Choose a unique name using 3-30 alphanumeric characters.
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Choose your preferences
Choose how we communicate with you, opt out at anytime.
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
Check your email
An confirmation link was sent to your email. Don't forget to check your spam!
Enter the email address you used when you ed and we'll send you instructions to reset your .
If you used Apple or Google to create your , this process will create a for your existing .
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Reset instructions sent. If you have an with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or if the problem persists.
Image via MGK Instagram

‘It wasn’t his time’: What happened to Rook, MGK’s drummer?

MGK and his drummer have been through a lot together.

Machine Gun Kelly (MGK). recently shared in his Instagram stories an update about his longtime drummer, Rook, who, according to what MGK wrote, “met the reaper and decided it wasn’t his time.” Here’s what happened to him.

Recommended Videos

The full caption on MGK’s Instagram story post said the following: “My brother finally back! With an iron leg, iron teeth, iron heart. @rookxx met the reaper and decided it wasn’t his time. It’s been one year without you with us on drums. I missed you so much … “

Rook’s 2024 bike accident

via MGK/IG Stories

In case you forgot, in May last year, a Machine Gun Kelly fan page shared in an X post that, according to Rook’s father, he’d been in a bike accident and had broken bones that would take about two months to heal. Since then, Rook has been absent from behind MGK’s kit.

The post on an MGK fan page sharing the news of Rook’s accident quoted an MGK IG story post, which said, “my little brother is real life iron man god got his hands on you send some prayers up for his recovery.” Rook and MGK started playing together when Rook was 17, and the two musicians had played together for over 10 years when Rook had to step back to recover. (Over the years, Blink 182’s Travis Barker has also played drums for MGK on occasion.)

It took more than two months for Rook to be ready to play drums again, as his father suggested. But with MGK’s Instagram story post, it seemed Rook had finally returned and the news was confirmed on X, where another MGK fan page stated:

Rook’s 2024 bike accident wasn’t the musician’s first health scare, either. Three years earlier, Rook was robbed by two guys who jumped out of a car and assaulted him, and he was hospitalized, according to Kerrang. During the confrontation, Rook was also hit by a car, injuring his foot and arm. Rook wrote on social media at that time, “Don’t worry I’ll bounce back.” The robbery was likely what this comment referred to on the MGK fan page post announcing Rook’s return: “Dang. This poor dude. His body has been through so much.”

Rook has had a lot of hardships and terrible things happen to him. But as mentioned, Rook and MGK have played music together for a long time, and based on a 2015 MGK Facebook post, Kelly’s used to his friend and musical collaborator’s “crazy” life.

via MGK/Facebook

On Rook’s birthday that year, MGK wrote, “to my little brother @rook419 we’ve been touring the world together since u were 17, and u get crazier every day…i know u always say ur gonna petition to have me locked up in a looney bin but this picture says it all — next trip to the bin we’re puttin u in happy birthday brother.”

MGK and his band celebrated Rook’s return at a London 02 performance just a few days after MGK’s first Instagram story post announcing Rook was back. MGK shared an Instagram post of the performance captioned in part, ” … [T]his performance of ‘bloody valentine’ is the band’s first performance of 2025 with everyone together again after Rook’s bike accident!” Here’s to many more years of MGK and Rook making music together.


We Got This Covered is ed by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about our Policy
Author
Image of William Kennedy
William Kennedy
William Kennedy is a full-time freelance content writer and journalist in Eugene, OR. William covered true crime, among other topics for Grunge.com. He also writes about live music for the Eugene Weekly, where his beat also includes arts and culture, food, and current events. He lives with his wife, daughter, and two cats who all politely accommodate his obsession with Doctor Who and The New Yorker.