D Generation’s Howie Pyro has died, aged 61
nme.comCOVID-19-related pneumonia yesterday (May 4) following a long battle with liver disease.Describing Pyro as “my best friend and brother”, Malin wrote on his social media channels: “He fought real hard right till the end.
He changed my life and so many others in ways I can’t even begin to say. We made our world together.”A post shared by Jesse Malin (@jesse_malin)Pyro, real name Howard Kusten, was part of the New York City punk scene in the 1970s and 80s, leading the underage band the Blessed and performing at such storied NYC venues as CBGB and Max’s Kansas City.In 1991, Pyro and Malin, along with guitarist Danny Sage, drummer Michael Wildwood and guitarist Richard Bacchus, formed D Generation.
The band released their self-titled debut album in 1994 before signing to Columbia, on which they released 1996’s ‘No Lunch’ and 1999’s ‘Through The Darkness’.D Generation split in 1999, but reformed in 2011 and released their final album, ‘Nothing Is Anywhere’, in 2016.Pyro, who played bass in D Generation, also worked with the likes of Glenn Danzig’s Danzig, Rancid, Joey Ramone, the Misfits, Debbie Harry, Alan Vega, Kid Congo Powers and Johnny Thunders during his music career.Pyro was also a successful DJ, hosting the Intoxica!
Radio show and enjoying a residency at the Ace Hotel in LA.A flurry of tributes to Pyro have been shared on social media following the news of his death – you can see a selection of those below.A post shared by Michael Wildwood (@mikeythehat9)Johnny and Linda’s pal for many years, Howie Pyro, is now with Johnny in Rock & Roll Heaven.
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