Cheetah Chrome, guitarist with Dead Boys, died on Sunday. He was 71.
The punk rocker, born Eugene Richard O’Connor, was saluted by his bandmates on Instagram.
“We are incredibly sad to announce the news of the passing of our beloved friend and bandmate Cheetah Chrome,” the post read.
“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,” the tribute continued. “His music lives on and will continue to inspire others for generations to come. We ask for privacy during this difficult time. Godspeed Cheetah.”
Chrome was an American punk-rock musician based in Nashville. He started as a guitarist in Rocket from the Tombs in 1974, before joining singer Stiv Bators and drummer Johnny Blitz in Dead Boys. The band had hits with Young, Loud and Snotty in 1977 and We Have Come for Your Children in 1978.
Bators died in 1990 after being hit by a taxi in Paris.
Dead Boys split in 1979 but reunited for a series of live performances over the years. To mark its 50th anniversary, there were plans to tour their debut album in 2027.
Chrome is survived by his wife, Anna, and 14-year-old son Rogan.
A cause of death has not been disclosed.
