Following the tragic news that original Deftones bassist and founding member Chi Cheng had died of heart failure, tributes from musicians and friends all over the industry began flooding in, but there was no official word from the band’s camp, while Australian fans were concerned that Cheng’s passing may affect their Australian tour plans.

Cheng died aged 42 early Saturday morning (13th April) after being in a semi-comatose state for nearly half a decade after being seriously injured in a car accident in November 2008. The Deftones member was being cared for by his family, including his mother who was maintaining the Oneloveforchi.com charity, and issued the statement announcing Cheng’s death.

“[Chi] was taken to the emegency room and at 3 a.m. today his heart just suddenly stopped,” read Cheng’s mother’s statement. “He left this world with me singing songs he liked in his ear. He fought the good fight. You stood by him sending love daily.”

The remaining members of Deftones had yet to issue an official comment on Cheng’s death – no doubt reeling from the tragic news of their fallen friend and former musical colleague – but a statement from Deftones co-founder and lead guitarist Stephen Carpenter has emerged on the band’s Facebook page that reads:

There are so many things I can say, and yet at this moment, none of it matters or compares to the loss everyone feels. There will be a hole in our lives where Chi once was. But that will be filled everyday with all of our love and memories we all have in our heart. He will always be here because of love. It’s time we all give our love and best, and do our best to love. Especially ourselves, Chi would want that for everyone. All our healing will begin with love. I love you, Chi.

Stephen, for Deftones.”

The band had continued to support Cheng through the Oneloveforchi charity, hosting many benefit concerts and donating money from their tours to his family’s medical costs. Cheng’s role was filled by Sergio Vega, who stepped in as touring replacement for Cheng following his 2008 incident, but became a full-time member of the band come 2010 album Diamond Eyes, and also had writing credits on last year’s Koi No Yokan.

The band are scheduled to hit Australia for a tour this May in support of their latest album, and promoter AJ Maddah reassures that the tour will be going ahead irrespective of recent events, noting in a tweet that he had spoken to frontman Chino Moreno about the band’s Australian commitments:

Chi Cheng’s death has also affected those within the music industry with many tributes pouring in over Twitter, from a variety of musicians from a range of backgrounds, including Slash, Skrillex, My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way, and even Duran Duran – all showing the influence and importance of the Sacramento alt-metal group.


https://twitter.com/yelyahwilliams/status/323278242352078851


https://twitter.com/devhynes/status/323461828661358592

Deftones Australian Tour 2013

TUESDAY 14 MAY BRISBANE, THE TIVOLI – 18+
www.ticketek.com.au

WEDNESDAY 15 MAY SYDNEY, UNSW ROUNDHOUSE – Lic A/A
www.ticketek.com.au

FRIDAY 17 MAY MELBOURNE, THE PALACE – 18+
www.ticketek.com.au and www.oztix.com.au

SUNDAY 19 MAY ADELAIDE, HQ – 18+
www.oztix.com.au and www.venuetix.com.au

TUESDAY 21 MAY PERTH, METRO FREMANTLE – 18+
www.oztix.com.au

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