After a year- long battle with leukemia, thrash metal pioneer and Laaz Rockit founding member Victor Agnello has passed away at just 50 years old. Agnello started drumming for Laaz Rockit during the band’s formative years in 1983. He played on four studio albums, two concert videos and even headlined over a young Metallica. During these years, Agnello was one of the pioneers of double-bass drumming, which has become commonplace over the years.
In 1989, Agnello left the band to pursue a medical career. He joined the military and was deployed as a Battalion Surgeon during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kuwait and Iraq before becoming the founder and CEO of Allergy & Asthma Center of Lake Norman. He rejoined Laaz Rockit for a brief reunion from 2005-2006 and played with them again in 2009 when the band reunited to open for Metallica’s Reunion Tour in Japan. Agnello passed on Sunday at Duke University Hospital and is survived by his wife and seven children. It’s sad to hear of Agnello’s passing, especially since he had a whole other life and career aside from his time in the band. Also, seven children. Wow.
