Chi Cheng

Chi Ling Dai Cheng was the bassist and backing vocalist of Deftones from 1990 until his career was interrupted by a serious automobile accident in 2008. As a member of the band’s classic lineup, he performed on Adrenaline, Around the Fur, White Pony, Deftones and Saturday Night Wrist, contributing to the band’s formative and most influential years.

Alongside his work with Deftones, Cheng was also a published poet, releasing the spoken-word album The Bamboo Parachute in 2000. He remained in a minimally conscious state following his accident before passing away on April 13, 2013. His contribution to Deftones remains a defining part of the band’s documented live and recording history.