Former Snot and Sevendust guitarist Sonny Mayo has suffered a heart attack and is now recovering after undergoing emergency triple bypass heart surgery, according to a fundraiser launched on Meal Train. A Meal Train campaign has been set up to support Mayo and his partner Lara during his recovery. It has already raised $9,370 — far exceeding its original $500 goal — from 80 contributors.
The Meal Train page shared a statement outlining the seriousness of Mayo’s condition and calling on friends and supporters to help in any way they can.
“Our dear friend Sonny suffered a heart attack and had a life saving triple bypass surgery,” the statement read. “Please support Lara and Sonny while he recovers over the next couple months.”
The statement went on to highlight the critical nature of the first weeks of recovery at home.
“The first month home will be full time care taking for Lara and will be the highest risk for infections and sickness so bringing meals to them will support his recovery tremendously,” it continued. “If you can’t bring a meal please continue to cover them in prayer!”
The campaign reflects an outpouring of community support for Mayo as he navigates what is expected to be a lengthy recovery period. For those unfamiliar with Mayo’s journey, his story stretches back decades — from his early days in the underground metal scene to his battles with a serious hereditary condition that has now brought him to this critical moment.
Parade reported that Mayo started his music career in the 1980s, playing in a thrash metal band called Silence and performing around the DC Metro and DMV area before eventually rising to prominence with Snot and Sevendust.
This is not Mayo’s first brush with serious cardiac trouble. As Parade noted, he has reportedly dealt with hereditary coronary artery disease and suffered two prior heart attacks before this latest emergency. His wife Lara Mayo explained that the triple bypass surgery was ultimately necessary because doctors could no longer place additional stents due to the severity of his arterial blockage.
Chaoszine reported that the Meal Train fundraiser was organized by Megan Wright. The response from the rock community has been swift and generous, with donations far surpassing the initial goal in a short period of time.
Mayo’s health struggles come at a particularly notable time in his career. Blabbermouth reported that Mayo had previously parted ways with Snot, with the band noting that the project no longer fit into his life. That decision now takes on added weight given the severity of his medical situation. Snot itself has a storied and bittersweet history, having originally disbanded in 1998 following the death of frontman Lynn Strait.
