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Dead Boys Guitarist Cheetah Chrome Dies at 71
On Sunday, Dead Boys guitarist Cheetah Chrome died at age 71, with bandmates confirming the passing on Instagram as an "architect of the punk rock movement."
Chrome, born Eugene Richard O'Connor, co-founded Cleveland's Rocket From The Tombs in 1974 before launching Dead Boys with Stiv Bators and Johnny Blitz, becoming fixtures at New York City's CBGB by 1976.
The group released 1977's "Young, Loud and Snotty" and 1978's "We Have Come for Your Children," while Chrome chronicled his life in the 2010 memoir "Cheetah Chrome: A Dead Boy's Tale From The Front Lines Of Punk Rock."
O'Connor is survived by wife Anna O'Connor and 14-year-old son Rogan in Nashville; bandmates Tony, Chris, and Mark stated, "His music lives on and will continue to inspire others."
Before his death, plans were announced for a new Dead Boys album featuring Clem Burke and Glen Matlock, with the band intending to tour their debut album in 2027 for its 50th anniversary.