← Latest briefing

Entertainment

Cheetah Chrome, influential punk guitarist and Dead Boys co-founder, dies at age 71

Bandmates announced the death of the Cleveland-born musician, whose cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

The short version

  • Cheetah Chrome, co-founder and guitarist for the seminal punk group Dead Boys, has died at the age of 71.[Variety · Billboard]
  • His bandmates announced his passing in an Instagram post on Sunday evening.[Variety · Billboard]
  • No cause of death was immediately released, and details surrounding his passing remain unconfirmed.[Billboard]

Key facts

  • Dead Boys co-founder and guitarist Cheetah Chrome, born Eugene Richard O’Connor, died at 71.[Variety · Billboard]
  • The guitarist's death was publicly announced by his bandmates via Instagram on Sunday night, Sept. 13.[Variety · Billboard]
  • O'Connor was born in Cleveland on Feb. 18, 1955, and is survived by his wife, Anna O’Connor, and his 14-year-old son, Rogan.[Variety · Billboard]

What remains uncertain

  • No official cause of death has been announced, and detailed circumstances surrounding his passing remain unverified by major news outlets.[Billboard]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.