Pierre Kezdy of Naked Raygun: Dead from Cancer at age 58

October 9, 2020 10:11 AM

Pierre Kezdy Dead at 58. He died today in hospice, of cancer. A longtime resident of Evanston (IL), his place in Chicago music history is totemic. He'd been unwell for quite some time so this was not unexpected, but it's a sad day for punk music when our heroes die.

Here are some links that talk about his legacy as both a member of Naked Raygun and his legacy influencing other musicians:

Pierre Kezdy of Naked Raygun Dead (Chicago Sun-Times)
Interview from 2015, mentioning his ongoing health problems (Chicago Ambassador)
Obituary from Pitchfork
GoFundMe to help pay his medical expenses
Episode of Sonic Highways featuring Naked Raygun

posted by juniperesque (16 comments total)

I remember shouting along to "Muscle Beach is now Pork Chop Hill!" Good times.


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posted by doctornemo at 10:15 AM on October 9, 2020

Well, damn. Naked Raygun got a lot of in-store play in my local indie record joint. As a Chicago-adjacent punk kid, I had a soft spot for them. Kezdy sounds like he was a stand-up guy as well.
posted by mykescipark at 10:20 AM on October 9, 2020

This fucking sucks.

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posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:30 AM on October 9, 2020

RIP.

I have to admit I'm not familiar with their tunes, but the name no doubt sticks in my mind from the old days. Certainly an important band. I guess it's time to go check them out.
posted by symbioid at 11:01 AM on October 9, 2020 [1 favorite]

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posted by SystematicAbuse at 11:13 AM on October 9, 2020

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posted by mcdoublewide at 11:28 AM on October 9, 2020

Man, Pegboy was such an important band to me in high school
posted by mr_roboto at 11:59 AM on October 9, 2020 [2 favorites]

♪
posted by Gelatin at 1:51 PM on October 9, 2020

Love love love Naked Raygun. They were big in my circle of friends and I got to see them in reunion mode (not my recording) and they were great.

Rest well, Pierre.
posted by look busy at 2:38 PM on October 9, 2020

I really liked their music. I'm sorry to read this.
posted by Dip Flash at 3:02 PM on October 9, 2020

I grew up in Minnesota so Chicago bands toured there a lot. My first punk show that wasn’t a basement show by friends was Naked Raygun in the Whole, the student club in the basement of Coffman Union in Minneapolis in March 1985. I think that was before Pierre joined the band, but I saw them on other occasions in venues like the 7th Street Entry, the side room of First Avenue.

Since I moved to California in 1992 I didn’t have as many opportunities to see them, but sometime this century I saw them at the Elbo Room in San Francisco, with Pierre on bass.

I recommend seeing the Chicago punk documentary You Weren’t There.

Sad news that Pierre died so young.
posted by larrybob at 4:24 PM on October 9, 2020 [3 favorites]

When I was in high school I talked my way into being a volunteer with the bookers for the Whole music club at the University of Minnesota and Naked Raygun was THE band to book. They were great to work with and put on amazing shows. They 80’s were amazing for underground music.
posted by misterpatrick at 9:04 PM on October 9, 2020 [2 favorites]

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posted by djseafood at 8:17 AM on October 10, 2020

I'm not the greatest fan but I bought "Understand?" when it came out and still listen to it often.

How is it possible for this 40 year old punk band to be so applicable to today?

If there are gods they must be drunk.
posted by jclarkin at 10:48 AM on October 10, 2020

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Man, I loved this band.
posted by evilDoug at 2:07 PM on October 10, 2020

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posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 3:27 PM on October 10, 2020