A popular rock guitarist has sadly passed away. It our sad duty to inform you that Cheetah Chrome has died. The musician was 71-years-old.
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So far, his family or reps haven't revealed what the guitarist passed away from. But one thing is assured, he left a big impact on all who knew him. His former Dead Boys bandmates confirmed his death on Instagram. They shared an emotional tribute to the guitarist, highlighting how he transformed the music industry.
"We are incredibly sad to announce the news of the passing of our beloved friend and bandmate Cheetah Chrome,' the post read. "Cheetah was a true original, an architect of the punk rock movement, 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."
Rock Guitarist Dies
They also asked for privacy as they deal with their grief over his passing.
"His music lives on and will continue to inspire others for generations to come," the post added. "We ask for privacy during this difficult time. Godspeed Cheetah. Tony, Chris, Mark, and the entire Dead Boys family."
Cheetah Chrome has been playing since 1974. He first started playing with Rocket from the Tombs. But it's his work with Dead Boys that made him famous. Some called it one of the greatest punk bands of all time. That's thank to the guitarist and his ability to shred the guitar. As one fan so eloquently described, he was a guitar god.
"It goes without saying the DEAD BOYS were one of the greatest punk bands of all time,"
James Von Sinn wrote on Facebook. "Cheetah Chrome was a chaos guitar god all while being an innovator of true snotty punk posturing. I had the privilege of playing with him twice, he was so chill while hangin yet still a grumpy dog, totally punk, totally unforgettable."His riffs are ingrained in my soul," he added. "I'm kinda speechless. I don't think music would've evolved the way it did without him."
