Dead Boys Guitarist Cheetah Chrome Dies at 71

Cheetah Chrome, the guitarist whose abrasive riffs helped define the Dead Boys and Cleveland’s early punk movement, has died at 71. His bandmates confirmed his death in a social-media statement on Sunday. A cause of death was not announced.

Born Eugene Richard O’Connor in Cleveland on February 18, 1955, Chrome became a key link between the city’s proto-punk scene and the first wave of New York punk. His playing brought raw force and speed to records that became reference points for generations of underground musicians.

From Cleveland to CBGB

Chrome joined Rocket From the Tombs as a guitarist in 1974. The short-lived group opened for Television and Patti Smith in Cleveland before breaking up in 1975, but its songs and personnel continued into influential later projects.

After that split, Chrome formed the Dead Boys with Stiv Bators, Jimmy Zero, Jeff Magnum and Johnny Blitz. The band relocated to New York and became a regular presence at CBGB, translating Cleveland’s hard-edged sound into the city’s fast-growing punk community.

The Dead Boys released their debut album, Young, Loud and Snotty, in 1977, followed by We Have Come for Your Children in 1978. The group broke up in 1979 without recording a third studio album, although its members reunited for live performances over the decades. Songs including “Sonic Reducer” remained central to the band’s reputation and to Chrome’s influence as a guitarist.

A career beyond the original band

Chrome later revived Rocket From the Tombs with a new lineup and recorded again with the group. He also worked with New York Dolls guitarist Syl Sylvain in Batusis, which released an EP in 2010. That same year, Chrome published his autobiography, Cheetah Chrome: A Dead Boy’s Tale from the Front Lines of Punk Rock.

After moving to Nashville, he took on an industry role at Plowboy Records and released the solo album Solo in 2014. The shift from stage musician to label executive added another chapter to a career built outside pop’s polished center.

In their statement, the Dead Boys remembered Chrome as both a fierce musical presence and a kind friend. The band had been preparing to mark the 50th anniversary of its debut with a 2027 tour. Chrome is survived by his wife, Anna O’Connor, and their son, Rogan.