Cheetah Chrome, Dead Boys and Rocket from the Tombs guitarist, dead at 71

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…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/entertainment/