Eugene Richard O’Connor, the punk rocker generally known as Cheetah Chrome and guitarist for the Lifeless Boys, died on Sunday, his bandmates confirmed on Instagram. He was 71 years previous.
“We’re extremely unhappy to announce the information of the passing of our beloved good friend and bandmate Cheetah Chrome,” the band wrote within the submit. “Cheetah was a real unique, an architect of the punk rock motion. A lone hurricane tearing by way of the musical panorama together with his wild guitar riffs and manic vitality. Past all of it, Cheetah was additionally only a genuinely good man who beloved rock-roll. We lengthen our deepest condolences to Cheetah’s household, associates and followers around the globe. His music lives on and can proceed to encourage others for generations to return. We ask for respect for the privateness throughout this troublesome time Godspeed Cheetah, Tony, Chris, Mark and the whole Lifeless Boys household.
Cheetah Chrome was a punk-rock musician born in Cleveland, Ohio and based mostly in Nashville. He began as a guitarist in Rocket from the Tombs in 1974 earlier than founding Frankenstein with Lifeless Boys members Stiv Bators and Johnny Blitz. The group rapidly developed into Lifeless Boys.
The trio launched their first album, “Younger, Loud and Snotty,” in 1977 and their second, “We Have Come for Your Youngsters,” in 1978 earlier than disbanding a 12 months later. The band reunited for a collection of reside performances over time, however by no means launched one other studio album. In honor of its fiftieth anniversary, the band deliberate to tour its debut album in 2027.
O’Connor is survived by his spouse, Anna O’Connor, and his son Rogan, 14, who reside in Nashville.