Cheetah Chrome, a foundational figure in the punk rock movement and guitarist for the Dead Boys and Rocket From the Tombs, has died at age 71.

Cheetah Chrome, the influential punk rock guitarist known for his work with the Dead Boys and Rocket From the Tombs, has died at the age of 71. The Dead Boys confirmed the news on Instagram on Sunday night. While the band paid tribute to Chrome as an architect of the punk movement, no cause of death was provided.

Early Career and Rocket From the Tombs

Born Eugene Richard O’Connor in Cleveland on Feb. 18, 1955, Chrome joined the proto-punk band Rocket From the Tombs in the fall of 1974. The group gained recognition in the Cleveland music scene, opening for acts like Television and Patti Smith at the Piccadilly club in 1975. Although the band was short-lived, performing their final show in August 1975, they were later described by critic Lester Bangs as the original legendary underground rock band.

The Dead Boys and New York Punk

Following the dissolution of Rocket From the Tombs, Chrome co-founded the Dead Boys alongside Stiv Bators, Jimmy Zero, Jeff Magnum, and Johnny Blitz. The group relocated to New York City, where they became staples of the local punk scene and frequent performers at CBGBs. They released their debut album, Young, Loud and Snotty, in 1977, followed by We Have Come for Your Children in 1978. After the band split in 1979, Chrome continued his career performing with various groups, including the Stilettos and his own band, Cheetah Chrome and the Casualties.

Later Projects and Industry Work

Chrome remained active in music throughout his life, participating in reunions for both the Dead Boys and Rocket From the Tombs. He also collaborated with Syl Sylvain in the group Batusis and released his autobiography, Cheetah Chrome: A Dead Boy’s Tale from the Front Lines of Punk Rock, in 2010. After moving to Nashville, he served as creative director of A&R and director of special projects for Plowboy Records, where he released his solo album, Solo, in 2014.