Eugene Richard O’Connor, known as Cheetah Chrome, guitarist for the punk band Dead Boys, died Sunday at age 71. His bandmates confirmed his death on Instagram.
“We are incredibly sad to announce the news of the passing of our beloved friend and bandmate Cheetah Chrome,” the band wrote. “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. Tony, Chris, Mark and the entire Dead Boys family.”
Cheetah Chrome was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and was based in Nashville at the time of his death. He began his career as a guitarist with Rocket from the Tombs in 1974, then formed Frankenstein with future Dead Boys members Stiv Bators and Johnny Blitz, which later became the Dead Boys. The band released their debut album, “Young, Loud and Snotty,” in 1977, followed by “We Have Come for Your Children” in 1978, before disbanding a year later. The band reunited for live performances over the years but did not release any further studio albums. They had planned a 2027 tour to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their first album.
He is survived by his wife, Anna O’Connor, and his 14-year-old son, Rogan, who reside in Nashville.
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