Former Evanescence guitarist John LeCompt has offered more details about his exit from the group. According to LeCompt, he was fired from the band. He also said drummer Rocky Gray had quit.
In a posting on his blog, LeCompt wrote, “I’ve been getting your messages all morning and figured I would give a little personal insight to this situation. Around 3:30 p.m. yesterday [Friday, May 4] I received a call on my cell from Amy. This call wasn’t from a friend who appreciated me but from an enemy who was prepared to hurt me and my family. Without any warning or negotiotiations for my future, I was fired for no good reason. We have not always seen eye to eye on everything, but who does?
“Our common goal was always the same: To make Evanescence the best rock band it could ever be. I have always given blood, sweat and tears to make that happen but apparently that is not enough. I have now become just another of the people fallen by the wayside on the revolving door of her life. It’s funny how many of us there are now. I guess it’s good for lyrical content, though. Maybe I will be among the blessed to have a song written about me, too. Maybe the song will be ‘Call Me When You’re Broke’.
“Whatever, as of next week my band Machina will be doing major label showcases in New York. There is a big buzz for it and we hope it will go well. I’m not going to sit here and be negative because that is not who I am. What I will say it that I know that many of you think she is some genius or saviour of some kind. I just want you to know that my family and I will forever remember her as being about as deep as the shallow end of a child’s wading pool and her lyrics about as deep as the two-dimensional surface that they were written on. Singing beautifully for the duration of a record or two can move the spirit of the people listening, but the way you treat those around you who you are supposed to care about speaks volumes more than that and I would hope that some of you are listening.
“Well, that’s it. I hope that sheds some light on the current situation for you.
“Thank you all for the good years and being the most incredible fans and friends. Maybe I will see you again.
“I am going to play with my little boy now, peace.”
May 7th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
ouch. burn.
he makes amy lee sound like a bitch lol.
i still love them both. what can i say. he makes a point, but i still love amy lee.
May 8th, 2007 at 12:04 am
John is an ass,he can’t make up his mind whether or not he thinks Amy can write good songs! So he said not too long ago Amy’s writing skills are deep and powerful now that he’s mad he’s going to say that they’re shallow??! WTF?? you know what?? i’m glad that John is gone go back to that stupid wannabe band Machina-he’s lost! Thank you Amy for firing that loser! WHoo go girl!
May 8th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
[...] Source: Evanescence Fan [...]
May 9th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
I think John was a very good guitarist and Rocky an awsome drumer I am a very big evanescence fan and this thing wow it was a surprise but let us hope that Evanescence will be as good as it is now and well if she fired him it had to be for something right? welll I wish them luck( Rocky, John and Evanescence) and i doubt that John’s band will ever be as good as Eavanescence.
P.S: he was really mean in this thing but i guess it’s probobably becuase he’s mad
May 11th, 2007 at 11:32 am
Fuck you angel. You are just another “Amybot”
May 11th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Hey, I think this whole thing is absolutly out of hand! All the band members has always put there writting talents into each album. its all wierd, because I had just seen them live January 16th. As for the band then, they were all loyal to eachother, so I think John is wrong about that. I think its kind of low, having people bashing Amy, because of what people only think that happened. I don’t believe EVERYTHING I read!! Me personally, I will ALWAYS believe, have faith, support, respect, and ALWAYS stand by Amy Lee!!! She is all honest, heartfull, and Real!! Thats what being a true fan is all about!!! Amy stands Up for what she believes in alway!!!! Rock On Amy Lee!! To Amy:(xoxo)!!!!
May 14th, 2007 at 2:19 am
Not to provoke any form of negative response but this kind of situation cannot just go “one way”. People change and their priorities change and we all deal with the roller coaster ride life puts us through. There is no way around this no matter how cold it can “seem” to be sometimes. Being fired or quitting (I will not speculate on either) is tough no matter who you are or how the outcome turns out. You could have 3 children and loose your $30,000 dollar-a-year job and believe me, no matter how great your coworkers think the boss is that just fired you, you will be frustrated. It will be painful and evoke waves of emotional turmoil & anger. Even hatred. However, this does not make the boss a “bad” person either, they have needs and priorities of their own accord. No one is better than anyone else and there are no true happy endings. One door must close for the other to open and vise versa. This is life and we all have shed the same blood, sweat and yes, even tears. I take no ones side. I have been on both sides in this kind of situation myself. Everyone must find a way to move on - there are so many uncharted roads in life. Pick another one, who knows…
May 14th, 2007 at 7:38 am
Dylan you are SORT of right. But mostly, in a case such as this, probably not so much.
Evanescence was not just Amy Lee, Evanescence was also John. He has every right to say what he did and react the way he did. One cannot be without the other. You might here an awesome track, but without the music the vocalist will quite often sound like crap. And when the vocalist happens to have ego problems, well that’s hate-able.
If Amy really did do it this way, then I hope ‘what goes around comes back around’ ;)
May 15th, 2007 at 2:47 am
it’s best
May 16th, 2007 at 2:21 am
So tell me, do you not think that this concept works in every form of employment? A business can’t make money without the ones making the product, right? Same is true in a band. It’s like an adopted family, but best to not be too emotionally attached because you never know when situations might change and have an adverse affect on everyone involved. I wish the best for all of the bandmates, I have nothing against any of them. But laying down anger and spite does not solve issues nor make any one happy, including the ones being negative. It will only be regretted in the long run. Undoubtedly.
The band survived without Ben and Brian, I have no doubt they will thrive no matter who the line up, with the exception of Amy, as histroy shows, changing the frontman/woman most of the time (not all the time) leads to the downfall of a band and it’s name. Good argument though!
May 16th, 2007 at 2:25 am
Doah, I meant to say Will, not Brian…What was I thinking???
May 16th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
all john ever contributed to evanescence was half a song that wasnt even that good. Quit bein’ such an ass.
May 16th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
I love everybody that was and is in the band. I wish John all the luck in the world!! I am going to an evanescence concert in august. If johns band tours I will also go and see hie show.
May 22nd, 2007 at 2:23 pm
I agree with DsE…Evanescence is NOT just Amy Lee. They wrote that music TOGETHER, and he has a right to be upset over getting fired. I’d hate to believe that Amy is shallow and a “bitch,” buuuut do we as fans ever really KNOW a celebrity? Like DsE said above, “what goes around comes around.” I love Evanescence, but if Amy could so coldly fire someone (if thats true) she’ll get hers in the end too…
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:19 pm
I don’t know how many of you all recall Origin their first major EP, but it sure as hell kicked ass. And it was when Evanescence was Evanescence with Amy, Ben, John, Rocky, and the original bassist. I was worried enough when Ben left. Terry came and that kicks ass, but rock msuic lovers had to deal with the sacrifice of Cold to get there. And now Evanescence has one original member - Amy Lee. Guess what guys? It’s not Evanescence anymore. It’s now officially the Amy Lee Show. And now you can gurantee never hearing anything off Origin live, which is a huge injustice to fans of the band. Mark your calendars guys May 21, 2007 the band known as Evanescence ceased to exist.
May 29th, 2007 at 7:02 am
AMY FIND US! amyhartzler@hotmail.com if you see this mail plsplsplsplspls FIND US!! we’re begging you! add us do sth! just find us!
May 30th, 2007 at 9:41 am
For those that don’t remember:
Amy used profanity to communicate their request to be removed from Christian bookstores and radio stations in their beginning.
She obviously isn’t the nicest of people, nor has used good judgement.
June 2nd, 2007 at 3:37 am
RememberOrigin everything you just said is pointless. John Lecompt and rocky gray were just hired musicians and ben moody left for creative reasons. Now it’s the Amy and Terry show and if you dont like it get the hell off of a forum about it. And if you want the original evanescence then it is just ben and amy. John and all them were added after all the good stuff was written. So really only 1 original evanescence member has left.
June 4th, 2007 at 7:04 am
So now it’s really just the Amy Lee + 3 band featuring Terry??? wtf she’s lost my vote…she was my fucking idol, i wanted to be liek her..fucking hell. If this is what loyalty gets John, then she can take my loyalty and write a song about me bitch slapping her with it. She has betrayed me!
I guess she really is the theif, the whore and the liar now.
June 5th, 2007 at 3:01 am
>sigh
June 8th, 2007 at 12:56 am
I was upset when I read heard the news. But…I’m not going to take sides and say that Amy is a bitch, or John is a liar, cause…come on, nobody knows whats really going on.
But…after reading what John wrote…ok, he’s mad, but isn’t that a little harsh and far fetched? I mean the whole, “This call wasn’t from a friend who appreciated me but from an enemy who was prepared to hurt me and my family. Without any warning or negotiotiations for my future, I was fired for no good reason.” and “I just want you to know that my family and I will forever remember her as being about as deep as the shallow end of a child’s wading pool and her lyrics about as deep as the two-dimensional surface that they were written on.” stuff. I’m sorry, but Amy Lee does not sound like the type of person who would fire somebody for no reason.
June 9th, 2007 at 5:31 am
Johns an idiot. Act a fool get booted. I Dont know many people that think its okay to do a pisspoor job at work and expect to just keep getting paid. The best thing hes ever been a part of can only get better with out him. Gravy Train is no longer running. See ya behind the counter at Mcdonalds John. If you were so concerned about your family you should have done your job better. How hard is it to tour the world, play gigantic shows and get paid well. Good Luck.
June 19th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Surely she can’t just fire him? Evanescence is a joint project, like any band. One member can’t just fire another with no real reason? =/
June 24th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Amy is the frontwoman plain and simple. She wears the pants and you can disagree but you know its true. Obviously something was going on that the label/amy didnt like and had to be fixed. Sometimes the truth hurts a bit. It is what it is!
July 1st, 2007 at 6:59 pm
zomg i cant believe amy did that! LULZ 4chan
July 3rd, 2007 at 6:57 pm
I realy love Amy Lee and the band Evanescence, so i’m not gonna take any side her but I will say i suport both of them and I realy DON’T think that Amy is a bitch! and that John is a liar!
I wish John good luck with the his new band! and Amy Lee keep up the good work! I’m still waiting for the new album to come out :)
July 12th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Ever since Ben Moody left Evanescence, the band has been going downhill! Her album “the open door” sounds like shit compared to “fallen”. Now that John is gone, I think Ev is doomed even more. In a couple of years, no one will know who Evanescence is - guaranteed!! I just hope that Amy gets hers with all the people she’s hurt and trampled on!
July 12th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Not only that but I think Amy is getting fatter and uglier by the day!
July 15th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Well, good that amy explaind what was really going on in the band, and maybe things will be better without john. Who knows…
July 18th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
And by the way Amy is not fatt or ugly!!
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:57 am
Hmmmmmmm…….well,I’m not one to jump to conclusions on who’s the good guy and who’s the bad guy. For all we know, this so called blog may not have been written by John himself. It could have well been someone posing as him. We don’t even know the whole story. I’m pretty sure there’s a perfectly good explanation for the 2 members leaving the group. They’re grown adults, come on as if they would settle for childish ways especially regarding a serious matter like a career. Anyway, I wish the future Evanescence, John and Gray all the best.
August 1st, 2007 at 4:09 am
now dont get m wrong amy lee is the one person i can thank for not being dead right now,her lyrics and music have tought me so much, but i think evanescence just peeled off some of its glue,when ben left it was good cuz he was an asshole and “moody”..but john was super hot and an amazing guitaristand roccky was a good ass drumer..i thought amy and john were closer than that and i dont know where thats going to leave me o my opinion of the whole situation….all i can do is hope it was a misunderstanding and that for everyone’s sake that evanescence stay the huge family that they are, amy if you read this please do your best to fix everything and i know u know what ur doing…keep rocking,i love you amy and john…and the rest of you because if not for u id be nothing…thank you
August 14th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
hey i think its crazy john wanted to leave .amy lee couldet stand to see her band falling a part john stayed in for the money he dident care about the evanescence band or no one elese but him self . !!!!
August 16th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
i love you i ned to saundes I
LOVE
YOU
August 18th, 2007 at 2:02 am
I just thought of something.
John did help write EVs songs, right? Or some of them? By saying, “her lyrics about as deep as the two-dimensional surface that they were written on.”
isn’t he not only insulting Amy, but also insulting some of his work?
And I’ve got another thing to say: everybody gets fired. In every legal document that I have read when applying for a job, it clearly states that by signing it, I agree to the fact that my employment could be terminated for any reason.
John and Rocky both did not handle the situation in a mature, respectful way. Now, I’m not syaing that they can’t be mad, but after reading what John wrote, I can’t held but have a little dislike for him. I apologize to any John LeCompt fans, but that’s just how I feel.
I had a boyfriend who was screwing my life up, and I dumped him. and he pretty much goes on myspace and talked shit about me, similar (but not compltley the same) as what John wrote about Amy. There are some people in the world who don’t like to admit that they really screwed up so bad that they lost something or someone.
I think someone on this site said that it was nice to know the youngest one is the most mature. It’s just like I’ve said before: just because you get older, does NOT mean you get smarter or more mature.
Rant done. I’m now shutting up.
September 1st, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Hi
Well Evanescence was a mint band, but now im not so sure. Amy Lee was like my idol - shes so pretty and i always looked up 2 her. But now i dont. Yes, she is pretty - but shes sour inside! I hope John makes it huge - and amy lee see’s what shes lost! Like they say “You don’t realise what you have untill you loose it…” AAALSO who givs premition 4 Amy Lee 2 fire him?! Arnt they like a joint band? Not and Amy Lee band. A joint band. Surley one band member can not fire another without no good reason?! Its not longer ‘Evanescence’ - its Amy Lee and her Amy-Followers. Its not even the original band any more coz Amys the only original 1 left! Like i sed b4, not Evanescence , Amy and her followers which she has under her power…I hope you all realise that under that pretty face is an huge amount of sour…..
September 8th, 2007 at 1:56 am
Wow another 2 people gone and amy is smelling like a rose.that is messed up.this women is a bitch and it has been shown time and time again.people do not know her like the ones closest to her so quit acting like you do.all the members of evanescence past and present have there fill every day of the bitch and it will all come out one day.you dont loose 5 members and its all there fault how stupid can you be? john will do ok on his own dont need her and rocky will also.really tired of amybots,you bore me and your just like her.goes to show you women should not be in charge of bands.its bad buisness.why do you think they were banned from the 80’s era music in metal.it didnt work and there is proof in the pudding.amy has turned into a spoiled brat.always knew she was a bitch down inside.goes to show you that your gutt knows.rocky and john I support you.good luck but your better off in my opinnion.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Some of you still don’t understand. From the beginning the original Evanescence was simply Amy Lee and Ben Moody. They met when they were 13 at a youth camp and they are the foundation. The other guys didn’t write the lyrics and had little involvement in the song writing process.
So like someone else said, ONLY ONE original band member has left, and ONLY ONE remains.
As for this whole situation Evanescence have got going on here, we cannot comment(and if we do, it’s not valid) as we don’t know the WHOLE STORY! We don’t know anything. That’s like looking through a hole in a fence and only seeing one, or a few things, meanwhile there’s the whole view beyond that fence and you can’t see it and you comment on that few views you see through the view!
September 27th, 2007 at 11:47 am
That’s a little confusing.. I’ll rephrase it:
That’s like looking through a hole in a fence and only seeing one, or a few things, meanwhile there’s a whole view beyond that fence but you can’t see it and you comment on that view/those few views you see through the hole.
That’s better :) Like I said we don’t know what’s goin on.. John is probably angry and bitter when he wrote all that and like others have said, it might not even be John for all we know! NOT EVERYTHING IS AS IT SEEMS. SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO TAKE A FEW LOOKS!
October 29th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
I recently posted a comment on another site and I think John is totally pathethic- I’m sure it was all for the money. if he only said he was hurt by being fired I would understand but these unkind statements about Amy totally discredits him in my opinion.
October 29th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I think I’ll leave another comment- maybe it wasn’t in the cards for John to be in evanescence for the rest of his life. There’s the Amy lee fans and there’s John’s and the world isn’t always black and white. Olorin you make a valid point. I agree with Angel too and no you are not an Amybot, just a person with an opinion like the rest of us. Ok I was angry- my apologises to the REAL John but both of them contributed to Evanescence and differences between them should remain so or resolved. It wouldn’t help if fans make things worse. Just wouldn’t.
November 20th, 2007 at 1:55 am
You know what, i’m so sick of all this bullsh*t over Amy Lee. All i have to say is i like the music and have since “Fallen” came out. Mind you that is still after i met her and was completely disgusted by the way she acted towards me and the rest of her fans. I also pretty much feel asleep trying to get through the concert. So, before you go defending and putting effort into this “manufactured” woman who could give a crap about you (her fans), think about it before you might have the change of meeting her and feeling like a total idiot.
Evanescence my ass!. The poor hired band members aren’t even allow to move on stage. Dare take any attention away for Amy Lee who meekly wines her way through every song.
THE END
November 25th, 2007 at 9:04 am
If I offend anybody writing this, I’m sorry. But I need to speak what’s on my mind, and not hold back like I normally do. Please keep in mind though, I am not looking for a fight.
I’ll always love Amy no matter we what. Once again, we don’t know what went on between her and John. We are NOT Amy Lee, we are NOT Evanescence, and further more, I think what happens in Evanescence stays in Evanescence. I mean, think about it. There could have been a much bigger picture as to why John was fired, that Amy and her management just didn’t want fans to know. She gave her reasons for firing him, apprently he was treating her badly, hence the quote, “I treated them (John and Rocky) with nothing but kindess and respect, and got nothing but jealousy and resentment in return.” I’m sure
a lot of you wouldn’t want to be around someone who
treated you that way.
And what exactly did John mean by, “Without any warning or negotiations for my future,” or whatever he said…he made it sound like he was going to fall apart. Like, this was the end. He’s been playing in on the most sucessful bands in the world, I think he would have made some good money by now. I’m sorry to all you John leCompt lovers out there, I really, really am, but he sounded so dramatic and so whiney in his myspace posts. I’m not saying he didn’t have a right to be angry. Everybody has a right to be anything, no matter what the circumstances are. What I AM trying to say is, instead of posting that little bit of dirty laundry on myspace, what he could have done was take the blow professionally, and move on with his new band Machina. be angry, for all I care John, but I think to post hurtful things about some on myspace for everyone to see if not only low, it’s hurtful. I’ve had it happen to me, and it really sucks.
But back to Amy. We may love her, we may hate her. We may not even care about her or Evanescence. But that doesn’t mean she has to voice all her reasons for doing what she does out to the public. I mean, who would want that? To have to speak your every reason to the world? I’m not trying to sound like a bitch or anything, I’m really, really not, but this is so ridiculous.
And whoever said the music business was going to be a walk in the park? People get hired, and people get fired. That’s life. It sucks, but you move on, and find a different job, or whatever.
I’m sorry, but I do not believe a word John says. After reading what Amy said about it, and David Hodges coming to her defense, they all seem to sum it up with the most believable fact. Even though David left the band, he said he knows Amy Lee well enough to know that she would never fire somebody for some shitty reason.
That doesn’t mean i have bad feelings towards John. I actually wish him luck, believe it or not.
Ok, rant done.
February 24th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
what have you done my lovely amy lee!!!!!!……you have killed me inside….”i know you hear me..i can taste it in your tears”
April 15th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Hi, I am a personal friend of John and he has every right to hate/despise every aspect of Amy. She completely screwed him over multiple times, promising him big percentages from their latest album…and guess what? She later changed her mind, keeping the majority, giving him NOTHING despite the fact he has a daughter and new son to take care of. She takes over 80% of money made from merchandise, leaving 15-20% for the rest of the band to split. She is selfish, cruel, and demanding. She’s a diva with no talent (Hellllo vocal tuning) and her career is slowly going down the toilet. Funny, she decides to ‘take a break from music and focus on her relationship and becoming a mother’ as soon as John and Rocky quit and the band began to go down the drain.
She was jealous and couldn’t handle the fact that John was devoting time to Machina with Phil Taylor. She felt like she lost her control over John’s financial situation. Amy never treated her band like a family or even as friends. She saw them as backround help in the “Arrogant Amy Lee Show.”
PS: Ever wonder why the band has no original members?
drrruuummm rolllll
Amy Lee! They’d rather be on their own than live in the dictatorship of the Arkansas Bred wannabe goth chick.
April 19th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I THINK THAT EVANESCENCE WILL STILL BE EVANESCENCE WITHOUT BEN, JOHN AND ROCKY AND I SUPPORT AMY LEE IN HER DECISSION.
April 21st, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Amy Lee Cant Fire John If He Hasnt Done Anything wrong! Firing John Was A Big Mistake! The Band Was My Favirote Until She Fired Two Of The Best PLayers in the Band! Good Luck To Both Of Them but Im really kinda pissed for wat she has done! Peace!
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:10 pm
[...] (2:16:41 PM): And then Evanescence, that pseudo goth chick, she gets this overinflated ego and fires her [...]
December 6th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
hahaha, me and John have the same opinion about Amy Lee…I also have the same last name as John (except mine is spelled “LeCompte”)
May 1st, 2009 at 6:53 am
I’m an amy lee AND a john lecompt fan, but this is kinda funny. And he seems to be acting in a mature manner, so i dont think he’s making it up. But i still like evanescence’s muic… and i still like amy… i think she mightve changed since she’s married now.
Well, i hope john’s band does well.
GOODLUCK JOHN!!! :D