by Brandon Rabideau

"He was somebody who just had a warmth and an easy smile and a laugh, and he was as smart as they come. You could sit and talk to him about anything. He was expressive. He'd tell you how he felt about you — you didn't wonder, because he'd put his arm around you. He knew how to tell his friends he loved them" - A7x Manager Larry Jacobson on the late rocker.

James Owen Sullivan, born February 10, 1981, held the position of drummer and back-up vocalist for successful hard rock act Avenged Sevenfold, and was the way-out forwarding thinking lead vocalist in Pinkly Smooth, a side project with A7X band mate Synester Gates.

Though the band has gone on record to discuss the pressure of success, and despite that Sullivan, aka The Rev, had a history of hard drug use, ultimately he appeared to be happy and healthy in the days leading up to his untimely death. He was found in his Huntington Beach, California home on Monday December 28, 2009. An autopsy performed the following day was found to be inconclusive, so the Coroner's Office has ordered further tests to determine the cause of death. He leaves behind his wife Leana MacFadden/Silver.

The news was especially shocking for those close to him, and none were closer than his band mates.

"Never in my life have I seen a relationship like that... and I think the relationship the four have right now will help them get through this traumatic time." - Jacobson

Avenged Sevenfold were working on their fifth studio album, and it is as of yet undetermined how the group plans to proceed from here.

Check out The Rev having some fun in this You Tube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dlz94epxb8