Original W.A.S.P. Drummer Tony Richards Dead at 69

Tony Richards, the original drummer for heavy metal band W.A.S.P., has passed away at 69. No cause of death was given.

His passing was announced by band leader and founder Blackie Lawless on W.A.S.P.’s Instagram along with a memorial for the departed drummer. Lawless previously described Richards as a pivotal element to the band in its formation in a statement a few years ago, saying, “When we lost him, we were mortally wounded, and we knew it.”

Lawless’ tribute reads:

“The entire W.A.S.P. Camp are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our original drummer, Tony Richards. When the Band was first started we were 4 extremely strong personalities. Tony was absolutely equal to any of the others that were in the Band. His personality was infectious. He looked fantastic in photos. But his ability to play made him really who he was. To watch him play riveted you no matter where you were in the room. When he was gone from the Band we were wounded in a way that we never really quite recovered from. He was equally a part of that first album and when that record is heard to this day his personal stamp will forever be a part of the totality of that recording.

He will forever be missed. We in the W.A.S.P. Camp would like to wish his family our deepest condolences.

Blackie Lawless”

Former guitarist Chris Holmes along with his wife and manager Catherine Holmes also reacted to the death, saying, “We learned that Tony Richards passed away. Chris was talking to him a few weeks ago as he did every month for the last few years. His passing makes us sad. He deserved not to be forgotten along with what he brought to this industry. All our condolences to his brother John.”

Tony Richards was a member of W.A.S.P. from 1982 to 1984 during which time he recorded both their debut album as well as the iconic stand-alone single “Animal (F**K Like a Beast),” famously targeted by Tipper Gore during the PMRC hearings in the 1980s.

Sadly, Richards is the third W.A.S.P. drummer to pass away, following the deaths of Steve Riley and Frankie Banali.

See Blackie Lawless’ memorial below.