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Shaun Morgan Welgemoed (, born 21 December 1978) is a South African musician. He is the lead singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist for the Rock music band Seether.
At the age of fourteen, he discovered the Seattle grunge movement after listening to Nirvana's Nevermind album, which inspired him to become a musician.
In January 2002, they relocated to the United States to sign with Wind-up Records. During this time, the band's original drummer returned home to South Africa, whilst the two remaining members were left to think of a new band name, at the request of Wind-up. Eventually they settled on Seether, after the Veruca Salt song of the same name. Around this time, Morgan decided to use his middle name as his last name professionally while performing for Seether because some Americans have a hard time pronouncing "Welgemoed". Seether went on to release their debut major-label album, Disclaimer, on 20 August 2002, which was remixed and rereleased as Disclaimer II with a few additional songs in 2004.
Since then, Seether has released seven more studio albums: Karma and Effect (2005), Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces (2007), Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray (2011), Isolate and Medicate (2014), Poison the Parish (2017), Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum (2020), and The Surface Seems So Far (2024). In addition, they issued the live CD/DVD One Cold Night in 2006.
In 2013, Morgan collaborated with Hall of Fame band Lynyrd Skynyrd and guitarist John 5 on "Sad Song", a track that appeared on the special edition of Lynyrd Skynyrd's album Last of a Dyin' Breed.
Bands that have influenced Morgan include Nirvana, Portishead, Silverchair, The Beatles, Metallica, Stone Temple Pilots, Nine Inch Nails, Mad Season, Rage Against the Machine, Black Sabbath, Korn, Soundgarden, Led Zeppelin, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Deftones.
On 13 August 2007, Morgan's brother Eugene Welgemoed killed himself by jumping from an eighth-floor window of the Radisson Hotel in Rapid City, South Dakota, shortly after midnight. According to police, no foul play was suspected.Brown, Katie. Radisson suicide brother of Seether front man, Rapid City Journal, 16 August 2007; accessed 25 March 2009. A few weeks later, Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces was released. As the album was finished, there was no delay to its issue but the record was dedicated to Eugene and featured a memorial. Seether's song "Rise Above This" is a tribute to Eugene, written a few weeks before his death. Morgan has 1308 tattooed on his four right fingers, and 2007 on his four left fingers, marking the date his brother died.
In May 2021, Morgan married his longtime partner, Jordan Kirby, with whom he has a daughter and a son.
Morgan is an atheist.
Career
Prior to forming the band Saron Gas, Morgan was a member of a tribute band, covering songs by musicians such as Creed and Tom Petty. In May 1999, the band Saron Gas was created.iTunes Originals - Seether They were originally a four-piece, but when the singer and guitarist did not turn up to the first practice, the band decided to stay as a three-piece, with Morgan on lead vocals and guitar. Saron Gas enjoyed moderate success before the bass player decided to quit in January 2000, causing Morgan to get in touch with the only other good bass player he knew, Dale Stewart. The band released an album later that year, entitled Fragile.
Equipment
Shaun Morgan was originally offered an endorsement and a signature model with PRS Guitars, but declined. He became endorsed by Schecter Guitars early in his career and stayed with them until 2019. He now plays an Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay RS guitar.
Personal life
From 2003 to 2005, Morgan dated Evanescence singer Amy Lee.Harris, Chris. Seether Frontman Enters Rehab; August Tour Dates Canceled, VH1, 26 July 2006; accessed 25 March 2009. Morgan checked into rehab in July 2006. Lee wrote the song "Call Me When You're Sober" about her relationship with him.
Discography
Saron Gas
Seether
Studio albums
Collaborations
Categories: 1978 Births, Living People, Musicians From Pietermaritzburg, Seether Members, Place Of Birth Missing, 21st-century South African Male Singers, South African Rock Singers, Alumni Of Maritzburg College, Afrikaner People, South African Atheists, Alternative Metal Guitarists, South African Expatriates In The United States, White South African People
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