How did DH Peligro die? Drummer of Dead Kennedys dead at 63
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA- DH Peligro, the drummer for the punk band Dead Kennedys, died at the age of 63. The news was confirmed by the rock band on their official social media accounts on Saturday, October 29.
The musician, who also was a drummer for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, died on Friday, October 28, following an accidental fall at his Los Angeles home. The statement by Dead Kennedys read, "Drummer DH Peligro (Darren Henley) passed away in his Los Angeles home yesterday, October 28th.”
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It further read, “Police on the scene stated that he died from trauma to the head caused by an accidental fall. Arrangements are pending and will be announced in the coming days. We ask that you respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time. Thank you for your thoughts and words of comfort.” Several other people shared condolence messages on social media.
Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea said, “My dear friend, my brother I miss you so much. I’m devastated today, a river of tears, but all my life I will treasure every second." Peligro had worked with the band in 1988, and has three writing credits on RHCP’s Mother’s Milk album.
Recalling their initial meeting, Flea said, “The first time I saw you play with the DK’s in ‘81 you blew my mind. The power, the soul, the recklessness. You became my beloved friend, so many times of every kind. We had so much fun, so much joy, having each other’s backs. I love you with all my heart. You are the truest rocker, and a crucial part of rhcp history. D H P in the place to be, you live forever in our hearts, you wild man, you bringer of joy, you giant hearted man. I will always honor you. Rest In Peace and freedom from all that restrained you.”
According to Billboard, Peligro was born on July 9, 1959. He joined Dead Kennedys in 1981 and appeared in the band’s 'In God We Trust'. A St Louis native, Peligro moved to San Francisco and recorded the band’s studio albums Plastic Surgery Disasters (1982), Frankenchrist (1985) and Bedtime for Democracy (1986).
The band separated in 1986 and the musician joined The Red Hot Chili Peppers. However, he was fired from The Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1988, after which he went on to perform with many other rock and metal bands like Lock-Up, SSI, and Max Cavalera’s Nailbomb.
In a 2018 interview with LA Weekly, Peligro opened up on facing racism. He had said, “You go down South, you go across the Midwest, then people were thinking that it was music for white people, or I was the janitor or security or something,” adding, “You got to experience the racism firsthand, because everybody wasn’t as open-minded as they were in San Francisco. It’s a bit more open and accepted today, but there’s still pockets of people who want to use punk rock to create hate music. That angers me to no end.”