Lead guitarist with Dead Boys, Cheetah Chrome passed away on Sunday (9.13) at the age of 71.
Born Eugene Richard O’Connor, the iconic punk rocker, was saluted by his bandmates on Instagram with:
“We are incredibly sad to announce the news of the passing of our beloved friend and bandmate Cheetah Chrome.” “Cheetah was a true original, an architect of the punk rock movement. A one-man hurricane tearing up the musical landscape with his feral guitar riffs and manic energy. Beyond all that, Cheetah was also just a really sweet guy that loved rock-roll.” “We extend our deepest condolences to Cheetah’s family, friends and fans around the world.” “His music lives on and will continue to inspire others for generations to come. We ask for privacy during this difficult time. Godspeed Cheetah.”
Based in Nashville, Chrome was an American punk-rock musician who started as a guitarist in Rocket from the Tombs in 1974, before joining singer Stiv Bators and drummer Johnny Blitz in Dead Boys, who enjoyed such hits as ‘Young, Loud and Snotty’ in 1977 and ‘We Have Come for Your Children’ in 1978.
After splitting up in 1979, Dead Boys reunited for a series of live performances over the years, and to mark the act’s 50th anniversary, there were plans to tour their debut full length in 2027.
Not the first band member to pass away, Bators died in 1990 after being hit by a taxi in Paris.
Cheetah Chrome is survived by his wife, Anna, and 14-year-old son Rogan.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Distributed by Sire Records – Public Domain