According to consequence.net and TMZ.com Dead Kennedys‘s drummer D.H. Peligro died from a drug overdose. The autopsy revealed that Peligro passed away from the “combined effects of fentanyl and heroin”. Also the musician had a non-small cell lung cancer at the time of his death.
Peligro died on Friday, October 28, 2022, at the age of 63. At first, the cause of death was reported to be trauma to the head caused by an accidental fall in Peligro’s Los Angeles home. But the autopsy stated that there was no evidence of traumatic injuries.
Peligro replaced original Dead Kennedys drummer Ted (Bruce Slesinger) in 1981. Peligro made his debut on the EP In God We Trust, Inc., and also drummed on the albums Plastic Surgery Disasters, Frankenchrist, and Bedtime for Democracy, as well as the singles Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death.
Following Dead Kennedys’s initial breakup in 1986, Peligro joined Red Hot Chili Peppers as a replacement for drummer Jack Irons. The musicians tenure in the band was brief because he was fired after less than a year due to drug and alcohol issues. Peligro contributed to three songs on Chili Pepperss’ 1989 album Mother’s Milk, including “Taste the Pain,” “Stone Cold Bush” and “Sexy Mexican Maid.”
In 2011 Peligro reunited with his Dead Kennedys bandmates and remained behind the kit through 2008. After a brief break, Peligro returned to the punk band in 2009 and was a member up until his death.
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