Eugene Richard O’Connor, known professionally as Cheetah Chrome, the co-founding guitarist of the punk band Dead Boys, has died at the age of 71.
His death was announced by the band yesterday, Sunday September 13, in a statement posted on Instagram. The statement described Chrome as "a true original, an architect of the punk rock movement," and a "one-man hurricane tearing up the musical landscape with his feral guitar riffs and manic energy."
No cause of death has been provided. O’Connor is survived by his wife, Anna O’Connor, and their 14-year-old son, Rogan, who live in Nashville.
Before co-founding Dead Boys, O’Connor was a member of Rocket from the Tombs. Dead Boys released two studio albums, 'Young, Loud and Snotty' in 1977 and 'We Have Come for Your Children' in 1978. The band had planned to reunite in 2027 for their 50th anniversary.