Longtime drummer Dead Kennedys, D.H. Peligro dies after fall at LA home aged 63 after European tour

Drummer of the legendary punk band Dead Kennedys​, D.H. Peligro​, has died at the age of 63 following an accidental fall at his home.

The band’s social media pages state how Peligro, whose real name was Darren Henley, died at his Los Angeles home on Friday.

‘Police on the scene stated that he died from trauma to the head caused by an accidental fall. We ask that you respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time. Thank you for your thoughts and words of comfort,’ the post stated. ‘Arrangements are pending will be announced in the coming days,’ the group added.

Peligro was a fixture with the Kennedys until the band parted ways in 1986, but he returned when they got back together 15 years later in 2001.

The group had only just returned to the US following a European tour that saw them visit venues in Poland, Germany and France. 

The band’s social media pages state how Peligro died at his Los Angeles home on Friday

Red Hot Chili Pepper’s bass player Flea (Michael Peter Balzary) paid tribute to ‘my dear friend, my brother’.

A number of people on social media paid tribute to Peligro who was only 63 when he died

He was their second drummer taking over from Ted (Bruce Slesinger​), who left in 1981 to become an architect. 

Peligro has appeared with the group as recently as 2019 and features on 12 of the band’s albums.

When the band split, Peligro played for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, before he succumbed to drug and alcohol issues two years later which led to him being replaced.

Despite his demons, Peligro remained a friend of the band and helped him get sober.

The Dead Kennedys (from left: Klaus Flouride, Jello Biafra, East Bay Ray (kneeling), and D. H. Peligro) pose in front of an oil refinery

Peligro, whose real name was Darren Henley, joined the Dead Kennedys in 1981, then played briefly with the Red Hot Chili Peppers after the band broke up. He is pictured with RHCP in ’88

Instagram photos from August 2021 on the page of Dead Kennedys drummer D. H. Peligro

The Dead Kennedys, with D.H. Peligro, seen right, in this snap from Warsaw, Poland 

Peligro was the band’s second drummer, taking over from founding member Ted (Bruce Slesinger​), who left in 1981 to become an architect. He is pictured in an Instagram picture

Red Hot Chili Pepper’s bass player Flea (Michael Peter Balzary) paid tribute to ‘my dear friend, my brother’.

‘The first time I saw you play with the DK’s in ’81 you blew my mind,’ Flea wrote.

‘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.’ 

Peligro played with several other bands on the punk scene, and had his own solo career as a front man, releasing three albums, the most notable of which was Sum of Our Surroundings, which was voted Rock Album of the Year by the American Independent Music Awards. 

This post from October 24, 2022 on Instagram is captioned: Dead Kennedys, Bilbao, Spain

The Dead Kennedys are pictures in a photo from their early days. From left, to right,  Klaus Flouride, Jello Biafra, East Bay Ray and D. H. Peligro

D. H. Peligro of the Dead Kennedys performs at St Andrews Hall in June 2014 in Detroit

D.H. Peligro of Dead Kennedys during RipCurl Store Grand Opening in Santa Monica, California in 2003