Cheetah Chrome, Dead Boys co-founder and guitarist, dies aged 71

Eugene Richard O’Connor, also known as Cheetah Chrome, the co-founding guitarist of the legendary punk band Dead Boys, has died aged 71.

His death was announced by the band yesterday (Sunday September 13) in a statement on Instagram. “We are incredibly sad to announce the news of the passing of our beloved friend and bandmate Cheetah Chrome,” the statement 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,” they 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. Tony, Chris, Mark and the entire Dead Boys family.”

No cause of death has been provided.

O’Connor first joined the band Rocket from the Tombs before forming Dead Boys alongside fellow RFTT members Stiv Bators and Johnny Madansky.

As Dead Boys, they released two albums: 1977’s ‘Young, Loud and Snotty’ and, the following year, ‘We Have Come for Your Children’.

The band broke up in 1980 and later reunited for a series of live performances – first in 1987, again in 2004 and once more beginning in 2017. They never released another studio album.

The band also featured prominently in Lech Kowalski’s iconic 1980 punk documentary D.O.A.: A Right of Passage.

After Dead Boys disbanded, O’Connor went on to pursue several solo projects, as well as working as a session musician and touring with GG Allin.

O’Connor chronicled his life in the 2010 memoir Cheetah Chrome: A Dead Boy’s Tale from the Front Lines of Punk Rock. He was also portrayed on screen by Rupert Grint in the 2013 film CBGB.

Dead Boys had planned to reunite in 2027 to mark their 50th anniversary.

O’Connor is survived by his wife, Anna O’Connor, and his 14-year-old son Rogan, who reside in Nashville.