Decibel Magazine: RIP Dickie Peterson of Blue Cheer (1946-2009)

RIP Dickie Peterson of Blue Cheer (1946-2009)

Posted October 12 by nick

Sad news to report: Blue Cheer bassist/ singer Dickie Peterson allegedly passed away at his home in Germany. Blue Cheer was sort of the Napalm Death of its era: constantly rotating line-up but highly identifiable sound. I saw 'em in 2006 at an outdoor festival with poor sound and a largely indifferent audience and they still brought it. Here's a clip of the reconvened Blue Cheer (with original drummer Paul Whaley) playing "Out of Focus" (the b-side to "Summertime Blues" and the heaviest song on Vincebus Eruptum) in Germany last year. Peterson always claimed that Blue Cheer played blues-rock and had no role in birthing heavy metal, but "Out of Focus" makes the links to Black Sabbath, Venom and Rush seem obvious and indelible.

Posted 10/12/2009 10:20 AM by snake_plissken

Too bad, but these guys must be getting up there in age.

Posted 10/12/2009 12:46 PM by jlruthven84

I snagged a $4 vinyl copy of Vincebus Eruptum from a used bin several years ago; its still one of the best "heavy blues" albums ever. RIP indeed.

Posted 10/14/2009 3:57 PM by The Justin

Clapton likes to make the same claims about Cream, but man, if ever there was an awesomely rockin' band it was Blue Cheer. Too bad.

Posted 10/18/2009 12:00 PM by Ken Davidoff

My name is Ken davidoff, in 1968 I had the good fortune to photograph Blue Cheer at the Miami Pop Festival. I am currently working with Jack Connell, the producer of the documentary. We had the privilage of interviewing Dickie Peterson on August 18 2009, and we would like to share this quote with you. "There is a thing that has happened in music over the years that says, if you like rap music, and I like heavy metal music, we can't be friends, and to me, this is the exact opposite of what music is supposed to do. Music is supposed to bring us together, you know, you don't have to like the kind of music I like, to like music. You don't need my approval, you know, you need your own. Don't try to be cool, it's the most un-cool thing you can do. Cool is cool, when you try to be cool, you ain't cool." Dickie Peterson.

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The Magazine The Deciblog The Forum Subscribe About Us Merch Advertise Contact Newsletter MySpace Facebook Twitter Wikipedia YouTube Our Current Issue On Newsstands Now! BUY ISSUE \| CONTENTS Refused *World Exclusive Hall of Fame: The Shape of Punk to Come* Featuring Kingdom of Sorrow, Anathema, Call & Response with Soilwork, Decrepit Birth, Xasthur, The Sword, Norma Jean, Q&A with Aaron Turner, Streetwise: San Francisco, the making of Refused's The Shape of Punk to Come Also D.I.S., Pathology, Zoroaster, Wolvhammer, Rottenness, Lantlôs, Kruger	RIP Dickie Peterson of Blue Cheer (1946-2009) Posted October 12 by nick Sad news to report: Blue Cheer bassist/ singer Dickie Peterson allegedly passed away at his home in Germany. Blue Cheer was sort of the Napalm Death of its era: constantly rotating line-up but highly identifiable sound. I saw 'em in 2006 at an outdoor festival with poor sound and a largely indifferent audience and they still brought it. Here's a clip of the reconvened Blue Cheer (with original drummer Paul Whaley) playing "Out of Focus" (the b-side to "Summertime Blues" and the heaviest song on Vincebus Eruptum) in Germany last year. Peterson always claimed that Blue Cheer played blues-rock and had no role in birthing heavy metal, but "Out of Focus" makes the links to Black Sabbath, Venom and Rush seem obvious and indelible. Posted 10/12/2009 10:20 AM by snake_plissken Too bad, but these guys must be getting up there in age. Posted 10/12/2009 12:46 PM by jlruthven84 I snagged a $4 vinyl copy of Vincebus Eruptum from a used bin several years ago; its still one of the best "heavy blues" albums ever. RIP indeed. Posted 10/14/2009 3:57 PM by The Justin Clapton likes to make the same claims about Cream, but man, if ever there was an awesomely rockin' band it was Blue Cheer. Too bad. Posted 10/18/2009 12:00 PM by Ken Davidoff My name is Ken davidoff, in 1968 I had the good fortune to photograph Blue Cheer at the Miami Pop Festival. I am currently working with Jack Connell, the producer of the documentary. We had the privilage of interviewing Dickie Peterson on August 18 2009, and we would like to share this quote with you. "There is a thing that has happened in music over the years that says, if you like rap music, and I like heavy metal music, we can't be friends, and to me, this is the exact opposite of what music is supposed to do. Music is supposed to bring us together, you know, you don't have to like the kind of music I like, to like music. You don't need my approval, you know, you need your own. Don't try to be cool, it's the most un-cool thing you can do. Cool is cool, when you try to be cool, you ain't cool." Dickie Peterson. Name Comment	Cancel login Username Password Remember me Forgot password Register new account Search Editorial
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