“`html
Cheetah Chrome, the influential guitarist who helped shape punk rock through his work with the Dead Boys and Rocket From the Tombs, has passed away at age 71. The Dead Boys announced his death on Instagram on Sunday evening, though no cause was disclosed. The band described Chrome as “a true original” and “an architect of the punk rock movement,” noting his distinctive guitar style and energetic presence on stage.
Born Eugene Richard O’Connor in Cleveland in 1955, Chrome’s musical career spanned decades and multiple significant projects. He joined the proto-punk band Rocket From the Tombs in 1974, performing alongside influential artists like Television and Patti Smith before the group disbanded in 1975. Chrome later became a central figure in New York’s punk scene as guitarist for the Dead Boys, which released acclaimed albums including “Young, Loud and Snotty” in 1977 and “We Have Come for Your Children” in 1978.
Beyond his work with these bands, Chrome collaborated with various artists including Ronnie Spector and the New York Dolls’ Syl Sylvain. He eventually relocated to Nashville, where he worked as a creative director for Plowboy Records and released a solo album. Chrome also authored an autobiography documenting his experiences in punk’s formative era. Musicians including Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan and Reagan Youth paid tribute to Chrome’s lasting influence on rock music.
“`
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
About the Author
