Died On This Date (April 8, 1991) Per Yngve Ohlin aka Dead / Mayhem
themusicsover Dead (Born Per Yngve Ohlin)
January 16, 1969 – April 8, 1991
Known to fans as Dead, Per Yngve Ohlin was the lead singer for Norwegian black metal band, Mayhem. Formed in 1983, the band went on to become one of the most influential Norwegian bands of the black metal scene. The band was as controversial as it was popular, due in part, to their violent stage show and stabbing death of guitarist, Eronymous. For added effect, Ohlin painted himself to look like a corpse during their shows. In 1990, band mates began to notice a difference in Ohlin’s personality. He rarely left his bedroom and was reportedly becoming more and more depressed which no doubt led to infighting within the band, particularly with Aarseth. On April 8, 1991, Ohlin’s body was found. He had slit his wrists and shot himself in the head with a shotgun.
What You Should Own
Vinnie Chas is best remembered as the original bassist for popular Los Angeles glam metal band, Pretty Boy Floyd. The band was one of the top draws along Hollywood’s storied Sunset Strip during a time when bands like Guns ‘N Roses, Ratt and Poison also played the same clubs. Signed by MCA Records during the late ’80s, the band released the moderately successful Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz in 1989. The band broke up in 1991 and Chas went on to play in a band called Rattlin’ Bones. In 2007, Chas and other former members of Pretty Boy Floyd began working together on new band material. Vinnie Chas passed away unexpectedly on April 6, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately released.
