Dead Kennedys Drummer D.H. Peligro Dead At 63

D.H. Peligro, the drummer of the punk rock band Dead Kennedys, is dead at the age of 63, the band announced on social media.

Peligro, whose birth name was Darren Henley, died after a head injury sustained in an accidental fall in his California home on Friday. TMZ reported the drummer was found on a bathroom floor in his San Fernando Valley residence.

“Dead Kennedys’ drummer D.H. Peligro (Darren Henley) passed away in his Los Angeles home yesterday, Oct 28th. He died from trauma to his head from an accidental fall,” the band’s Twitter account revealed on Saturday. “Thank you for your thoughts and words of comfort.”

Dead Kennedys’ drummer D.H. Peligro (Darren Henley) 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. Thank you for your thoughts and words of comfort pic.twitter.com/PC7sF87f6c

— Dead Kennedys (@DeadKennedys) October 29, 2022

The longtime drummer had toured as recently as this month with the Dead Kennedys in European concerts, according to the artist’s Instagram account.

Peligro also performed with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, with bassist Flea leaving words of tribute following the announcement.

“DH Peligro forever and ever. The funnest, kindest and the rockingest. My dear brother I’m so grateful for our time I love you forever,” he wrote.

DH Peligro forever and ever. The funnest, kindest and the rockingest. My dear brother I’m so grateful for our time I love you forever.

— Flea (@flea333) October 29, 2022

Flea also shared a touching tribute to Peligro on Instagram.

“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. The first time I saw you play with the DK’s in ‘81 you blew my mind,” he wrote. “The power, the soul, the recklessness. You became my beloved friend, so many times of every kind.”

Peligro was a well-known musical artist over the years, touring with several bands, including Lock-Up, Nailbomb, and the Two Free Stooges. He also released albums under his own name, Peligro, with one album, “Sum of Our Surroundings,” receiving Rock Album of the Year from the American Independent Music Awards.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1959, Peligro discovered his passion for playing drums at a young age. He moved to San Francisco as a teenager and met many of the city’s up-and-coming artists during the 1970s.

Peligro joined the Dead Kennedys in 1981 and made his album debut on “In God We Trust, Inc.” He appeared on five additional albums with the group until its breakup in late 1986.

The drummer then joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1988, contributing to songwriting and setting the beat behind the drums for their 1988 album “Mother’s Milk.” He left the band shortly afterward.

Peligro reunited with the Dead Kennedys in a 2001 reunion tour, remaining with the band in most of its later tours and albums.

A coroner’s exam is expected to help determine the cause of death, according to authorities.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases