The bass player and singer from Blue Cheer, Dickie Peterson has died.

He passed away on 12th October in Erkelenz, Germany after a long fight with cancer.  He was sixty-three.

If you’re not familiar with Blue Cheer, you should be.  They are frequently cited as being the band that invented heavy metal and certainly their style of heavy blues is in a very similar vein to the other bands often heralded with the same accolade.

Formed in 1966, the original(ish) line-up comprised Peterson on bass and vocals, Leigh Stephens on guitar and Eric Albronda on drums.

Band personnel has changed over the years and the group have had a number of extended hiatus over the years.  The band had been planning to tour again but those plans are obviously on hold.

Blue Cheer’s first album, Vincebus Eruptum (pictured) is a classic of the genre (if a slightly rough-edged one) and essential listening for anyone that might enjoy something akin to a Creamy-Sabbath.  The album contains the cover of Eddie Cochran’s Summertime Blues, which Blue Cheer rocked the crap out of.

Have a listen: