Former Misfits Drummer Brian Keats Dies at 46
- Posted on Jan 15th 2010 11:00AM by John D. Luerssen
- Comments (30)
Brian "Damage" Keats, who played drums in the Misfits during its final Glenn Danzig-helmed lineup, died Tuesday after battling liver cancer, according to a press release. Keats, who was 46, was also a veteran of punk bands Verbal Abuse and Genocide.
Damage was first asked by Danzig to join the Misfits in the autumn of 1983 and played with the band at a Halloween gig in Detroit . The show wound up being the final Misfits gig with the frontman.
But Keats, a Brooklyn native, was undaunted, remaining on the New York music scene throughout the 1980s, playing with a long run of outfits like Hellbent, the Kretins, the Hellhounds, the Skulls, Angels in Vain, Princess Pang, Raging Slab and the Diamondbacks.
Keats eventually settled in Los Angeles and collaborated with outfits like Sylvain Sylvain, Low Pop Suicide, the Fusztones and even former Bangles frontwoman Susanna Hoffs, among a long run of others. He is survived by his wife and one child.
Damage was first asked by Danzig to join the Misfits in the autumn of 1983 and played with the band at a Halloween gig in Detroit . The show wound up being the final Misfits gig with the frontman.
But Keats, a Brooklyn native, was undaunted, remaining on the New York music scene throughout the 1980s, playing with a long run of outfits like Hellbent, the Kretins, the Hellhounds, the Skulls, Angels in Vain, Princess Pang, Raging Slab and the Diamondbacks.
Keats eventually settled in Los Angeles and collaborated with outfits like Sylvain Sylvain, Low Pop Suicide, the Fusztones and even former Bangles frontwoman Susanna Hoffs, among a long run of others. He is survived by his wife and one child.
Reader Comments(1 of 2)
Dennisat 1-15-2010
Is it me or is it like once a day or at least 4 times a week there are news stories about a rock performer kicking the bucket? Wow, kind of makes you want to take up another hobby?
rickat 1-15-2010
lifestyles evenually will kill!including and foremost liver cancer!
janeat 1-15-2010
Dennis, It's not just you. I was thinking the same thing. Some of these musicians are still pretty young, too. Maybe it's in the wind.
:-(
jonesat 1-15-2010
Brian was a good friend and a wonderful talented person. You people using this place to try and hawk your products should be ashamed of yourselves. Rest in peace Brian, you will be missed. God Bless you and your family.
Mikeat 1-15-2010
We are 138! If there's an afterlife, I know you'll be bangin away.
misfitsearth adat 1-15-2010
SO SAD TO HEAR THIS .EARTH AD. LEGACY OF BRUTALITY , HE WILL BE MISSED MISFITS ARE THE GREATEST
Marquisat 1-15-2010
and death comes ripping...
We bow our crimson skulls in respect. Rest in peace
CandleVixenJoat 1-15-2010
Well said.
mydownthereat 1-15-2010
I still love punk music, and the Misfits is one of my favorite bands. It is very sad to hear of his passing, so young. Well, I am 42, maybe a should give up smoking and drinking already.
dtcat 1-15-2010
to late,...
mydownthereat 1-15-2010
cancer, especially liver cancer, often are related to drinking and smoking. People many times assume that musicians smoke, drink, and do drugs. My own experience has been, as a drinker/smoker, and musician, that most of the people I know in the scene, do not smoke, drink or do drugs. I do it, my boyfriend hates it, my band members hate my smoking and drinking too. 90% of my friends are in music bands, and I am the only one who has to go outside to have a cigarrette. I am the only one who likes to drink too.
RICKat 1-15-2010
Majority of the time its alcohol or drug ABUSE,at this age i would believe the latter!Check out the statistics!
Bill Carterat 1-15-2010
God bless anyone who has to suffer the hideousness of such a horrible disease............rest in peace Brother......all best wishes to the immeadiate family.............
RANDYat 1-15-2010
WHAT DOES IT MATTER THE ROAD HE TOOK. DRUMMERS ARE THE THE HEART BEAT OF THE BAND. THEY ARE TALENTED, WITTY, SMART, FUNNY, AND GREAT IN BED. UNFORTUNELY THEY ARE SELF-ABUSIVE. IT IS WHAT WE ARE. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY. REMEMBER DRUMMERS NEVER DIE THEY JUST FIND A DIFFERENT BEAT TO THEIR DRUM. YOU GO BRIAN!
thomat 1-15-2010
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE - WILL ONLY SHORTEN YOUR LIFE.
DONT BE FOOLED BY THE BRIANWASHING OF SOCIETY- PARTYING IS FOOLISH- EDUCATION WILL ENHANCE YOUR LIFESTYLE.
joe nosepickerat 1-15-2010
I really think the moral of the story is that the frequency of masturbation is what defines the quality of life.
Mmacbartat 1-15-2010
Keep on handlin the rythym Brian, RIP. A job well done.
Now the rest of you self centered jerks. Respect you ever hear of that.
Fursealclubberat 1-20-2010
Rest in Peace
Condolences to his loved ones
dtcat 1-15-2010
after further reveiw,..naw!
mydownthereat 1-15-2010
dtc, why do you think it's too late? I come from a very large family, and everybody in it drinks and smokes, and yet nobody has died. I have the oldest grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. We do eat very healthy and balanced food. I think my smoking and drinking bothers friends of mine because they don't do it.