# Death of punk musician Cheetah Chrome

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/death-of-punk-musician-cheetah-chrome
> Updated: 2026-09-14T12:56:12.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2.

Eugene Richard O’Connor, the influential American punk rock guitarist known as Cheetah Chrome, died on September 13 at the age of 71. A co-founder of the Dead Boys and a member of Rocket from the Tombs, O’Connor was considered an “architect of the punk rock movement.”

Following his death, the German punk band Die Toten Hosen expressed their respect for the musician, noting that his music had inspired their own formation. The band shared a long-standing professional relationship with O’Connor, including collaborations dating back to 1990.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-14: Die Toten Hosen mourn Cheetah Chrome and confirm 2027 festival headlining

Die Toten Hosen mourn the death of American punk icon Cheetah Chrome while also being confirmed as headliners for the 2027 Rock im Park and Rock am Ring festivals.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/die-toten-hosen-mourn-cheetah-chrome-and-confirm-2027-festival-headlining

### 2026-09-13: Cheetah Chrome, Dead Boys co-founder and punk legend, dies at 71

Punk rock guitarist Cheetah Chrome, co-founder of the Dead Boys, has died at age 71. He was a key figure in the American punk movement and the CBGB scene.

18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cheetah-chrome-dead-boys-guitarist-and-punk-icon-dies-at-71

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Cite as: Death of punk musician Cheetah Chrome. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/death-of-punk-musician-cheetah-chrome