Clash is saddened to report the death of Deftones bassist Chi Cheng, at the age of 42.
Cheng, a founder member of the influential Sacramento rock band, suffered serious injuries in a car accident in 2008, leaving him in a coma.
Although he regained consciousness, and in 2012 was able to return home to continue his recovery, Cheng died on Saturday, April 13.
The news of his passing was confirmed by band frontman Chino Moreno, who posted “Rest in peace Chi Cheng” on his Facebook page.
Ex-Quicksand musician Sergio Vega joined Deftones for their albums and tours after Cheng’s accident – 2010’s ‘Diamond Eyes’ and 2013’s ‘Koi No Yokan’. Cheng played on the band’s most celebrated collection, 2000’s ‘White Pony’, which earned a Grammy Award in 2001 for its track ‘Elite’.
‘White Pony’ also spawned the standalone cut ‘Change (In The House Of Flies)’, the band’s most successful single stateside, peaking at three on the Billboard Modern Rock chart. Its video can be seen below.
Clash wishes Cheng’s family and friends all the very best.
