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Punk Pioneer Cheetah Chrome Dies at 71
14 Sep
Summary
- Cheetah Chrome, co-founder of the Dead Boys, has died at age 71.
- He was a key architect of the punk rock movement with his guitar riffs.
- Chrome also co-founded the influential Cleveland band Rocket From the Tombs.
Punk rock pioneer Cheetah Chrome, born Eugene Richard O'Connor, has died at the age of 71. The Dead Boys announced the passing of their beloved friend and bandmate on Sunday night, September 13th. Chrome was recognized as a true original and an architect of the punk rock movement, known for his feral guitar riffs and manic energy.
Chrome's musical journey began in Cleveland with the short-lived pre-punk band Rocket From the Tombs. This group eventually spawned both the Dead Boys and Pere Ubu. The Dead Boys, fronted by Stiv Bators, rose to prominence in New York in 1976 with electrifying performances at CBGB.
Their 1977 debut album, 'Young, Loud and Snotty,' featuring the iconic song 'Sonic Reducer,' is considered a cornerstone of the punk movement. The band released one more LP, 'We Have Come For Your Children,' in 1978 before disbanding. Chrome later pursued a solo career and worked with various other projects, including reforming Rocket From the Tombs and serving as creative director for Plowboy Records in Nashville.
Rupert Grint portrayed Chrome in the 2013 film 'CBGB.' Notably, the Dead Boys, without original members, announced a 50th-anniversary tour for 'Young, Loud and Snotty' scheduled to begin in January 2027.
