Dead Kennedys guitarist East Bay Ray, 67, is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease but vows to keep performing for as long as he can

From the Newshound archive · first published 23 September 2026 · last updated 24 September 2026.

East Bay Ray, the founding guitarist of punk legends Dead Kennedys, has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at 67, the band revealed on social media Tuesday. Management said he intends to keep playing and touring for as long as his health holds out, with several West Coast shows already scheduled for October.

East Bay Ray, real name Raymond John Pepperell, co-founded the San Francisco punk band in 1978 and has remained its guitarist ever since.

The diagnosis is the second major health blow for Dead Kennedys fans this year — former frontman Jello Biafra has been recovering from a haemorrhagic stroke suffered in March.

The band is due to play Seattle's Showbox at the Market on October 6 and Riverside Municipal Auditorium on October 11, with a San Francisco date on October 9.