Steve Riley, former L.A. Guns and W.A.S.P. drummer, dead at 67

Steve Riley, the former drummer for W.A.S.P. and L.A. Guns, has died at the age of 67. The longtime musician passed away after a severe bout of pneumonia.

“We are devastated to share that Steve Riley has passed away at the age of 67,” Riley’s family confirmed in a statement. “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.”

“Steve spent the past five decades building up a rich music legacy, touring the world countless times, selling millions of records, sharing the stage with incredible bandmates and bringing joy to fans across 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.”

After a legal battle, Riley formed his own version of the LA hard rock band under the name Riley’s L.A. Guns. The group released a new single, “The Dark Horse“, on Golden Robot Records last month and were due to release their second album next year.