90s pop legend who 'threw himself around the stage' suddenly dies aged 59
Punk rock musician Casey Chaos, the lead singer of the band Amen, has sadly died at the age of 59. Cleopatra Records founder Brian Perera announced the news in an Instagram post on Saturday (21 December), he wrote: “With heartfelt sadness, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Casey Chaos.”
Brian continued: “I had the privilege of working with Casey during his unforgettable live performance with Christian Death at the American Legion Hall back in 1993. Walking into the hall with my good friend Matt Green and my wife, Yvonne, was an experience I’ll never forget - especially seeing Nicholas Cage sitting front-row center, completely captivated. Casey wasn’t just an extraordinary musician - he truly lived and breathed the lifestyle. May he rest in peace”.
It wasn’t just Brian who paid tribute to the musician, lots of other music pals of Casey wrote lovely messages after his passing with some calling him an ‘absolute legend’.
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American heavy metal band drummer Roy Mayorga said on Instagram: “Rest in peace - Casey Chaos! It was great to know you and to call you my friend. I will miss you always. There will never be another one like you ... love you brother.”
Former MTV host Matt Pinfield added: “My heart has been heavy today because we lost one of my brothers and our friend Casey Chaos. Rest In Peace, my rock and roll brother.”
Guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite, known as MGT, said he was 'shocked’ to hear of the passing of our friend Casey Chaos. He wrote on social media: “I know he was in a lot of pain over the years, he really threw himself around onstage back in the day..such a lovely bloke, we just hung out together 2 months ago.”
Fans also left messages with one writing: “An absolute legend. Respect” followed by a love heart emoji. Another fan added: “So underrated as a performer” and a third simply wrote: “This brings me massive sadness”.
Casey, whose real name was Karim George Chmielinski, founded Amen in 1994 in Los Angeles, California. Before music, he'd had a skateboarding career and had been touring professionally as a skater at the age of ten.
The band Casey was a part of, Amen, released four studio albums during their career. Their EP Coma America was dubbed "without a doubt the Album of the Decade" by Kerrang! magazine.
