Peter Steele

For the Australian poet and academic, see Peter Steele (poet).

Peter Steele
Steele performing in 2007
Steele performing in 2007
Background information
Birth namePeter Thomas Ratajczyk
Also known asPete Steele
Lord Petrus Steele
The Green Man
Born(1962-01-04)January 4, 1962
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedApril 14, 2010(2010-04-14) (aged 48)
Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • bass guitar
Years active1979–2010
Formerly of

Peter Thomas Ratajczyk[4] (January 4, 1962 – April 14, 2010), known professionally as Peter Steele, was an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist, bassist and composer of the gothic metal band Type O Negative.[5] Before forming Type O Negative, Steele had formed the heavy metal group Fallout and the thrash metal band Carnivore.[6]

As the frontman for Type O Negative, Steele was known for his vampiric appearance,[7][8] 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) stature,[9] rich bass vocals,[10][11][12] and a dark, often self-deprecating sense of humor.[13][14] His lyrics have been described as "often intensely personal, dealing with subjects including love, loss and addiction."[13] Steele credited Black Sabbath and the Beatles as his key musical influences. He has been listed among the "66 Best Hard Rock and Metal Frontmen of All Time" by Loudwire.[5]

  1. ^ "The BNR Metal Pages – Type O Negative". Bnrmetal.com. April 14, 2010. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  2. ^ "Type O Negative". Heavy Metal Encyclopedia. April 14, 2010. Archived from the original on August 24, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  3. ^ "Carnivore". Heavy Metal Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on April 26, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  4. ^ Hobson, Rich (April 14, 2022). "Peter Steele: the life and death of the Godfather Of Goth Metal". Louder. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Rose, Lisa (April 17, 2010). "Peter Steele: The Humor Behind the Somber Image". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  6. ^ Harper, Kate (April 15, 2010). "Everything Dies ... Including Peter Steele". CHARTattack. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ Stingley, Mick (April 15, 2010). "Type O Negative Frontman Peter Steele Dies". Billboard.com. Retrieved September 12, 2012. Known for his vampiric good looks ...
  8. ^ "Live Report: Type O Negative in Arizona". Rollingstone.com. February 14, 1997. Archived from the original on June 26, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2012. If Tuesday night's show at the Electric Ballroom was any indicator, things have changed for the vampiric foursome.
  9. ^ "Type O Negative's Peter Steele: The Ultimate Interview". Dave Ling. August 20, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  10. ^ Pratt, Greg (April 15, 2010). "Type O Negative's Peter Steele Dies at 48". Exclaim!. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  11. ^ Blabbermouth (April 10, 2013). "TYPE O NEGATIVE Members 'Not Cooperating' In Telling Of PETER STEELE's Story". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  12. ^ "Type O Negative Essentials". Apple Inc. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  13. ^ a b Stingley, Mick (April 15, 2010). "Type O Negative Frontman Peter Steele Dies". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2010.
  14. ^ Roberts, Soraya (April 15, 2010). "Type O Negative, is dead at 48". Daily News. Retrieved April 24, 2010.