Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Dead Boys Co-Founder Cheetah Chrome Dies at 71
Cheetah Chrome was a guitarist who helped start the punk rock band the Dead Boys.
His real name was Eugene Richard O’Connor.
He died on Sunday at age 71.
The Dead Boys began in Cleveland and moved to New York City in 1976.
They became well known for energetic shows at the club CBGB.
Their song “Sonic Reducer” became an important punk anthem.
The band released two studio albums before breaking up in 1979.
His bandmates remembered him as both an exciting performer and a kind person.
Cheetah Chrome, whose real name was Eugene Richard O’Connor, died Sunday at age 71.
Chrome co-founded the Dead Boys, an influential punk band that emerged from Cleveland in the 1970s.
The Dead Boys became fixtures at New York City’s CBGB after moving there in 1976.
The band released “Young, Loud and Snotty” in 1977 and “We Have Come for Your Children” in 1978.
No cause of death was announced; Chrome is survived by his wife, Anna O’Connor, and 14-year-old son, Rogan.
- Who
- Cheetah Chrome, born Eugene Richard O’Connor, guitarist and co-founder of the Dead Boys.
- What
- Chrome died at age 71, according to a statement from his bandmates.
- When
- Sunday; the exact date is not specified in the article.
- Where
- The article says Chrome was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and later settled in Nashville; it does not state where he died.
- Why
- No cause of death was given.
- Age at death
- 71
- Real name
- Eugene Richard O’Connor
- Band
- Dead Boys
- Debut album
- “Young, Loud and Snotty,” released in 1977
- Notable song
- “Sonic Reducer”
- Second album
- “We Have Come for Your Children,” released in 1978
- Survivors
- Wife Anna O’Connor and 14-year-old son Rogan