The news struck like a dissonant chord in the music world. On April 14, 2010, reports began circulating about the passing of Peter Steele, the towering and charismatic frontman of the gothic metal band Type O Negative. For many, it felt like a macabre joke, given Steele’s darkly humorous persona and history of brushes with mortality. This wasn’t just another celebrity death; it was the loss of a figure who seemed to embody the very spirit of defying the grim reaper.
Peter Steele, born Peter Thomas Ratajczyk, had cultivated a mystique of morbid fascination throughout his career since forming Type O Negative in 1989 from the remnants of Carnivore. He had become known for pushing boundaries, both musically and personally, with tales of suicide attempts, overdoses, and even a staged death hoax in 2005. He appeared to be the ultimate rock and roll survivor, a gothic counterpart to the seemingly indestructible Keith Richards. However, on that fateful April day, at the age of 48, Steele succumbed after being ill with the flu for a few days. Initial reports pointed to an aortic aneurysm, but the official cause of death was later confirmed as sepsis resulting from diverticulitis.
The circumstances surrounding Steele’s death were particularly poignant because it wasn’t during a period of known substance abuse. In fact, just prior to his passing, Steele had reportedly been in good spirits, celebrating his sobriety and looking forward to a fresh start near Staten Island, where he planned to begin work on the follow-up album to Type O Negative’s 2007 release, Dead Again. This made the news even more shocking and heartbreaking for those closest to him and his fans worldwide.
Kenny Hickey, Type O Negative’s guitarist, and Johnny Kelly, the drummer, were preparing for a rehearsal session with their side project, Seventh Void, when Kelly received an unexpected and devastating phone call.
“I got a phone call from a number that I didn’t recognize, so I let it go to voicemail,” Kelly recounted. “It was Peter’s sister. I called her up and said, ‘What’s up?’ and she was like, ‘We lost Peter.’ I said, ‘What do you mean?’ and she said, ‘He’s gone.’ At the time, they didn’t know the cause of death.”
Overwhelmed by the news, Kelly continued to the rehearsal space and shared the tragic information with Hickey in person. Hickey’s immediate reaction was disbelief and anguish, questioning why he hadn’t been informed sooner. Kelly explained he preferred to deliver such devastating news face-to-face rather than over the phone. The news marked not just a personal loss, but, as Kelly described, “the end of an era.”
While Steele was reportedly sober at the time of his death, his history was marked by struggles with substance abuse, particularly alcohol and cocaine. This was further complicated by a pre-existing heart condition, atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat. Josh Silver, Type O Negative’s keyboardist, reflected on the potential contributing factors to Steele’s death, saying, “Who knows if he died from all the drugs over the years or something else. He was diagnosed with the condition years and years ago, but if you take care of yourself and do the right stuff it’s something you can live with for quite a while. There are plenty of 90-year-olds running around with it.”
Hickey also weighed in on Steele’s health, noting a possible genetic predisposition to heart issues. “He always said that he felt the flutter in his heart, even when he was a kid, so he might have been born with it for all we know,” Hickey explained. “He’s had four or five males in his family that have died from heart disease before 50, so it could have been congenital. Who knows? There is a price you pay for being so big, too.” Steele’s imposing physical stature, standing at 6 feet, 7 inches, may have also contributed to the strain on his heart.
Beyond the details of his death, Peter Steele’s legacy is cemented by his unforgettable personality and stage presence. Despite claiming shyness and stage fright, he became the iconic frontman of Type O Negative, known for his deep, resonant voice, sharp wit, and self-deprecating humor. He embraced the role of band spokesman, captivating audiences with his dark charm and sardonic lyrics.
Steele often described himself as a misanthrope, and his lyrics, laced with sarcasm and dark humor, sometimes led to accusations of racism and misogyny. However, those close to him maintained that these were misinterpretations of his complex and often bizarre sense of humor. His lyrics were provocative, designed to challenge and sometimes shock, but not necessarily reflective of genuine malice.
One aspect of Steele’s public persona that drew controversy was his stance on homosexuality. While he claimed not to be “anti-homosexual, just pro-heterosexual,” lyrics from songs like “I Like Goils” suggested a more overtly homophobic sentiment. This complexity and contradiction were hallmarks of Steele’s enigmatic personality.
In a move that further solidified his unconventional approach to fame, Steele famously posed nude for Playgirl magazine in 1995, at the peak of Type O Negative’s success with the album Bloody Kisses. This bold act generated significant attention, particularly among the band’s female fanbase, and even some male admirers. Hickey humorously recalled Steele’s discomfort with attention from gay fans regarding the centerfold, and Hickey’s own protective reaction.
Despite his sometimes controversial public image, those who knew Peter Steele personally remember him as fiercely loyal and genuinely friendly to fans. However, his personality was also characterized by extremes. Johnny Kelly noted, “Peter always did things in extremes. If he was going to work out, he was going to be as big as he could be. When it came to eating, he wouldn’t just sit down and have a meal, he had to have two or three meals.”
Kenny Hickey echoed this sentiment, describing Steele’s “obsessive behavior” extending to “Women, food, alcohol, he had to have mass quantities. He dreaded running out of anything. He’s the only guy I know who could do two eight balls and eat 60 dollars of Chinese food.”
Steele’s health issues, whether stemming from his lifestyle or his underlying heart condition, led to multiple hospitalizations, both at home and while touring. Yet, even in serious medical situations, his humor remained intact.
Hickey recounted a story of Steele being hospitalized overseas, surrounded by surgeons who didn’t speak English. When asked about drug use, Steele famously quipped, “Cocaine, alcohol and redheads,” leading to confusion among the medical staff who thought “redheads” were a type of drug.
Another anecdote shared by Kelly involved Steele discharging himself from a hospital against medical advice because he “couldn’t take the food anymore.” Despite being seriously ill, he miraculously recovered quickly and was back on tour within weeks, showcasing his resilience and perhaps a touch of recklessness.
Peter Steele’s death marked the end of an era for gothic metal and for the legions of fans who were drawn to his unique charisma and the brooding beauty of Type O Negative’s music. His legacy lives on through the band’s influential discography and the countless memories shared by those who knew him and were touched by his music and persona. He remains a towering figure in metal history, both literally and figuratively, and his absence is still deeply felt.
