Chuck Schuldiner

Chuck Schuldiner
Schuldiner circa 1992
Background information
Birth name	Charles Michael Schuldiner
Also known as	The Godfather of death metal Evil Chuck (early career)
Born	(1967-05-13)May 13, 1967 Long Island, New York, U.S.
Died	December 13, 2001(2001-12-13) (aged 34) Altamonte Springs, Florida, U.S.
Genres	Death metal technical death metal progressive metal
Occupations	Musician songwriter
Instruments	Vocals guitar bass
Years active	1983–2001
Formerly of	Death Slaughter Control Denied Voodoocult
Website	emptywords.org

Charles Michael Schuldiner (May 13, 1967 – December 13, 2001) was an American musician. He cofounded the pioneering Florida death metal band Death in 1983, in which he was the guitarist, primary songwriter and only continuous member until his death in 2001. He became the lead vocalist in 1985 after original drummer and vocalist Kam Lee left the band. His obituary in the January 5, 2002, issue of Kerrang! described him as "one of the most significant figures in the history of metal."^[1] Schuldiner was ranked No. 10 in Joel McIver's book The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists in 2009 and No. 20 in March 2004 Guitar World's "The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists".^[2] In 1987, Schuldiner founded the publishing company Mutilation Music, affiliated with performance rights organization BMI. Schuldiner died in 2001 of a brain tumor.^[3]