(*67*) Riley, Former W.A.S.P. and L.A. Guns Drummer, Dead at 67

(*67*) Riley, the previous drummer for W.A.S.P. and L.A. Guns, has died at the age of 67.

“We are devastated to share that Steve Riley has passed away at the age of 67,” Riley’s family confirmed in a statement shared with Blabbermouth. “Steve had been battling a severe case of pneumonia for several weeks, and on Tuesday, Oct. 24, succumbed to the illness. His wife Mary Louise and son Cole were by his side in his final moments.”

“(*67*) spent the previous 5 a long time increase a wealthy music legacy, touring the world numerous occasions, promoting thousands and thousands of information, sharing the stage with unimaginable bandmates and bringing pleasure to followers throughout the globe,” the message continued. “His style was unmatched, influenced by the greats like Buddy Rich, Ginger Baker and John Bonham, and his passion for the craft was evident until the very end. But Steve’s greatest legacy was his role as a loving husband and caring father. At home, he was more than just a rocker — he was a Boston sports fanatic, a World War II buff and an avid reader. As much as he loved being on the road, nothing brought him more joy than coming home to his family.”

(*67*) Riley’s Career

Born in Massachusetts, Riley moved to Los Angeles after graduating highschool to pursue a profession in music. He briefly joined the lineup of Steppenwolf in 1979, however the group broke up months later.

Riley’s subsequent sop was the heavy steel band Keel. He performed on the group’s 1984 sophomore album, The Right to Rock, produced by Kiss’ Gene Simmons. Soon after its launch, Riley left Keel to switch Tony Richards within the band W.A.S.P.

Riley’s W.A.S.P. tenure lasted three years, protecting a lot of the group’s rise to fame. The drummer performed on two studio albums throughout that point, 1985’s The Last Command and 1986’s Inside the Electric Circus.

READ MORE: Top 100 ’80s Rock Albums

In 1987, Riley joined one other rising rock group, L.A. Guns. The drummer grew to become a part of the band’s traditional lineup, enjoying on one tune for his or her self-titled debut LP, then dealing with all of the drum components on their subsequent two albums, Cocked & Loaded (1989) and Hollywood Vampires (1991). He departed the band in 1992 however returned two years later, enjoying on a further 6 LPs. In complete, Riley contributed to 10 studio albums throughout his greater than 20 years with the band.

When Tracii Guns revived L.A. Guns in 2016, Riley was not a part of the lineup. The drummer later launched his personal model of the band, additionally known as L.A. Guns, in 2019. This led to a lawsuit between Riley and Guns, which was in the end settled. As a part of the settlement, the drummer was allowed to carry out and launch music below the identify Riley’s L.A. Guns, which he did till his dying. The band’s most up-to-date single, “The Dark Horse,” was launched final month, with a brand new studio album tentatively deliberate for early 2024.