Type O Negative was an American gothic/doom metal band formed in Brooklyn, New York City, in 1989 by Peter Steele (bass, lead vocals), Kenny Hickey (guitar, co-lead vocals), Josh Silver (keyboards, backing vocals), and Sal Abruscato (drums, percussion), who was later replaced by Johnny Kelly.
Steele was born Peter Thomas Ratajczyk on January 4, 1962, in Red Hook, Brooklyn. He was raised in the Bensonhurst and Brighton Beach neighborhoods of Brooklyn. His father fought in World War II and later worked at Todd Shipyards in Brooklyn. The song “Todd’s Ship Gods (Above All Things)” is about Steele’s father and the shipyard, which no longer exists today. Before becoming a full-time musician, Peter Steele worked at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.
Kenny Hickey was born in New York City in 1966 and was raised in the Marine Park section of Brooklyn. He graduated from Xaverian High School in 1984. Josh Silver, Sal Abruscato, and Johnny Kelly were also born in Brooklyn.
Steele died of sepsis caused by diverticulitis (initially reported as heart failure) on April 14, 2010, at the age of 48. He is buried in Saint Charles Cemetery, Long Island, New York.
TYPE O NEGATIVE LOCATIONS
COVER ART
Brooklyn Bridge (World Coming Down)
Former Parachute Jump Ride (The Least Worst of)
GRAVES
LYRICS
Green-Wood Cemetery (Dead Again)
L’Amour (Unsuccessfully Coping with the Natural Beauty of Infidelity)
MONUMENTS
Peter Steele Memorial Bench
Peter Steele Memorial Tree
PUBS
VENUES
Harpos Concert Theatre (Final live appearance)
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