Sept. 14, 2026, 9:02 a.m. ET
Cheetah Chrome, the influential guitarist who helped shape punk rock as a member of the Dead Boys and Rocket from the Tombs, has died. He was 71.
The Dead Boys announced Chrome’s death Sunday, Sept. 13, in an Instagram tribute. A cause of death was not disclosed.
“We are incredibly sad to announce the news of the passing of our beloved friend and bandmate Cheetah Chrome. Cheetah was a true original, an architect of the punk rock movement,” the band wrote. “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,” the tribute added. “We ask for privacy during this difficult time. Godspeed Cheetah. Tony, Chris, Mark and the entire Dead Boys family.”
Born Eugene Richard O’Connor in Cleveland on Feb. 18, 1955, Chrome emerged from the city’s burgeoning underground rock scene. He joined the proto-punk group Rocket from the Tombs in 1974.
Although the band’s original run was brief, its members and music became foundational to the punk movement that followed. After Rocket from the Tombs disbanded, Chrome formed the Dead Boys with Stiv Bators, Jimmy Zero, Jeff Magnum and Johnny Blitz.
The Dead Boys relocated to New York City and became fixtures at CBGB, the Manhattan club that served as a launching pad for some of punk’s most influential acts. The group released its debut album, “Young, Loud and Snotty,” in 1977, followed by “We Have Come for Your Children” in 1978.
Chrome participated in several Dead Boys reunions over the years, including a 40th anniversary tour in 2017. That year, the group released “Still Snotty: Young, Loud and Snotty at 40,” a newly recorded version of its debut album.
Following news of his death, Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan paid tribute to Chrome and his influence on Instagram, writing that the guitarist’s playing taught him about precision and edge in punk music. “Getting to know you in later years was a complete honor,” McKagan wrote. “Forever Dead Boys. Forever Cheetah Chrome!!”