KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — American drummer DH Peligro was reported to have died from head trauma after an accidental fall at his home in Los Angeles earlier today.
Veteran punk rocker Peligro, or his real name Darren Henley, joined The Dead Kennedys in February 1981 and appeared on the EP In God We Trust, released in December 1981, reported Deadline.
Guitarist East Bay Ray, who performed with Peligro, posted on Facebook following the death. “I am heartbroken. D.H. Peligro passed away in his Los Angeles home yesterday, Oct 28th. He died from trauma to his head from an accidental fall. Arrangements are pending will be announced in the coming days. We were musical brothers. Thank you for your thoughts and words of comfort.”
After The Dead Kennedys broke up in December 1986, Peligro moved on to a short gig with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, replacing Jack Irons, before joining officially in 1988.
He helped write the band’s album Mother’s Milk, but did not perform on the album.
The Dead Kennedys reunited in the 2000s, and Peligro stayed with the band through several changes in front men before a hiatus in 2008, before rejoining in 2009.
Peligro played with several other bands on the punk scene, and had his own solo career as a front man, releasing three albums including the notable Sum of Our Surroundings, which was voted Rock Album of the Year by the American Independent Music Awards.
