SLIPKNOT bassist Paul Gray, who passed away in May 2010 from a morphine overdose, would have celebrated his 39th birthday yesterday (April 8th). Bandmates Joey Jordison and Shawn "Clown" Crahan offered the following thoughts on the occasion:

Jordison: "Today is a day that will have a special place in my heart forever. It's a special day for all, for not only me and the guys in our band and families, but for everyone to put smiles across their faces and to celebrate the emotion and beauty of one of the greatest souls to ever grace music and humanity.

I spent all of last night watching our videos since our days as little kids who had a dream, and fuck, Paul, we did make that dream come true. I fell asleep last night only to wake up minutes ago with a smile on my face as my slumbers were filled with memories I'd long forgot.

Even as I write this, my eyes are getting a little watery. He loves all of you who embraced his music.

God bless to Brenna, October and all his friends and family as well.

I wish that all of you that couldn't share time with Paul will by playing his records 'til your ceilings crack and your ears bleed and by celebrating his memory in the glory that it is.

I love you, Paul, and I'll see you again soon, but not yet… not yet.

Hail Paul, hail Slipknot.

Your friend, Joey."

Crahan: "Hey everybody, it's Clown. I wanted to say that today is a very special and beautiful day. I wanted everyone to know that I am the type of person that would not commemorate a day that someone close to me passed away, but I am the type of person that celebrates the day that they were born.

Today is the day that Paul Dedrick Gray was born which makes it a very, very, very special day for me and all of us who miss and love him and think about him every day.

Paul, I love you and I miss you.

Your friend and brother forever, Clown."