Sylvain, Sylvain of The New York Dolls, Cherie Curire of The Runaways, Cheetah Chrome of Dead Boys and Frank Meyer. Photo: Frank Meyer supplied.
I met Cheetah Chrome in 2003 when Monte A. Melnick and I were writing the book “On the Road with the Ramones”. Cheetah was a treasure trove of wild stories about his beloved NY music scene.
A year later, myself and his former Jeff Dahl bandmate, Bruce Duff, did a tour with Cheetah in Spain, where we were joined by his old Dictators pal Andy Shernoff. It was one of the most fun times I’ve ever had in my life.
Bruce and I played in his band for many years after that — soooo many Dead Boys songs — culminating with a 2014 tour with him and our band, The Streetwalkin' Cheetahs. Lots of miles, lotsa van talk, lots of Sensational Alex Harvey Band, lots of backstage hangs, soundchecks, incredible shows, and mainly just lots of friendship and good times.
Frank Meyer, James Williamson and Cheetah Chrome. Photo: Frank Meyer supplied.
We continued to back Cheetah for many more years, including shows where we collaborated with some of his peers like Sylvain Sylvain, Cherie Currie, Ralph Carney and James Williamson. In fact, it was Cheetah who introduced me to James, which turned out to be a fruitful musical relationship.
One time, I told Cheetah a story about Spanish punk legend (promoter and tour manager) Kike Turmix giving me the nickname “Frankie Wanky”. Cheetah doubled over laughing and then only referred to me as Frankie Wanky, Wanky, Wankus, or FW. We had became such a tight lil’ family unit that we used to call him Uncle Cheetah.
Photo: Frank Meyer supplied.
But like many cool uncles, Cheetah had a dangerous side. He had a pension for getting himself into trouble and shooting himself in the foot every time he took a step forward. It was part of his lovable personality, but it also reminded you that inevitably his days were numbered. Quite frankly, he lasted a lot longer than most of us thought he would.
If I had to sum up my 25+ years relationship with Cheetah Chrome I would say “tough love”. He was tough as nails, but full of love. Loving him was tough, but it paid off. I will really miss that guy.
RIP Cheetah Chrome.
Frank Meyer plays in The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, Trading Aces and Anti-Fashion. He has been a member of FEAR, Lee Ving’s Range War, the Handsome Dick Manitoba Band, James Williamson & The Pink Hearts, Thor, Eddie Spaghetti & Frank Meyer, Highway 61and Sweet Justice and has worked live or recorded with Wayne Kramer, Cherie Currie, Sylvain Sylvain and Deniz Tek among others.
Road warriors: Frank and Cheetah. Photo: Frank Meyer supplied.
