Maynard James Keenan has announced the death of his father, sharing a series of photos honoring him on Instagram.
In the caption, he wrote, “My Father, Mike Keenan, also my Wrestling coach and HS Teacher, passed early yesterday. He went peacefully in his room. And for those of you who knew him, that sounds quite boring.”
“He lived an interesting life. He was Recently described as ‘Wild and Ungovernable.’ Just one example: Over a year ago he was hit by the train in Scottville on his way home from a pow wow. Survived, but refused to go to the hospital for fear they would keep him from going competitive skiing in Helsinki in 7 days. With broken ribs. Totaled the truck. MY truck, btw. Hit by the train that only comes through Scottville once a month. This was my father. And he will be missed. Be Ungovernable. Be Wild. We will miss you, Mike.”
Keenan’s parents, Judith Marie and Michael Loren, separated when he was just four. His father moved to Scottville, Michigan, and as a result, the singer only saw him about once a year over the next 12 years.
In 1976, when Maynard’s mother suffered a severe medical issue, he made the choice to live with his father. The Tool vocalist later described this as one of the best decisions he ever made as it allowed him to explore music.
Before that, Keenan had lived in a household where his mother’s new husband suppressed his creativity and self-expression. His struggles with his stepfather, combined with his mother’s health crisis, would go on to inspire many of his songs.
Tool’s tracks ‘Jimmy’ and ‘Wings for Marie’ as well as A Perfect Circle’s ‘Judith’ are some of the examples. Additionally, some believe ‘Prison Sex’ reflects the trauma Keenan went through during his childhood, including alleged abuse by his stepfather.
