Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Chi Cheng was born in 1970 in Stockton, California. As a teenager growing up in Stockton in the 1980s, Chi first picked up the bass guitar and quickly became enthralled with playing and performing music.
Chi played in various local bands early on, gigging at house parties and small venues around Stockton. He was influenced by a range of musical artists and genres during his formative years as a bassist, including funk, metal, punk, and alternative rock. Some of Chi’s early inspirations included bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Faith No More, Bad Brains, and Primus.
Playing bass in Stockton garage bands and developing his skills through high school allowed Chi to hone his distinctive slap and fingerstyle bass techniques. His energetic and innovative playing stood out in the local music scene. Chi was dedicated to the bass and spent much of his free time during those early years practicing, jamming with friends, and soaking up a diverse array of musical influences.
Joining Deftones and Rise to Fame
Chi Cheng met future Deftones bandmates Stephen Carpenter and Abe Cunningham while attending high school in Sacramento, California in the late 1980s. The three bonded over a shared love of skateboarding and diverse tastes in music ranging from metal to new wave.
After graduating, Cheng became the bassist for Deftones when the group formed in the early 1990s. His intricate slap bass technique added a unique dimension to the band’s experimental blend of alternative metal, shoegaze, and post-hardcore.
Deftones released their debut album Adrenaline in 1995, which became an influential release in the burgeoning nu-metal scene. The band toured extensively to support the album, including appearances at Ozzfest and Warped Tour.
In the following years, Deftones continued to evolve their eclectic sound across albums like Around the Fur (1997) and White Pony (2000). With Cheng holding down the low end, the band garnered critical acclaim and mainstream success, cementing themselves as one of the most distinctive acts to emerge from the alt-metal movement of the late 90s.
Unique Bass Playing Style and Gear
Chi Cheng had a very distinctive bass playing style that was integral to the Deftones’ signature sound. He was known for his aggressive slapping and popping technique, influenced by iconic bassists like Larry Graham and Flea. Chi would violently slap the strings to create a heavy, percussive tone. This contrasted with his nimble fingerstyle playing, allowing him to produce fluid basslines with a mix of rhythmic grooves and melodic passages.
Some of Chi’s favorite bass guitars included Ibanez and Conklin basses, often with 5 or 6 strings for extended range. His gear was tuned low and outfitted with effects like distortion, chorus, and delay to complement the band’s detuned guitars. Chi ran his basses into Ampeg rigs to achieve his thick, crunchy tone that sat perfectly in the mix. His unique approach helped cement the rhythmic foundation for the Deftones’ music. Songs like "My Own Summer" and "Be Quiet and Drive" feature iconic bass parts that are instantly recognizable to any Deftones fan. Chi’s playing was aggressive yet precise, blending groove and dissonance in a way that came to define the nu metal genre. Even during atmospheric passages, Chi would lock in with drummer Abe Cunningham to create a sprawling rhythmic landscape. His legacy as an innovator and highly influential bassist is built upon the iconic basslines he contributed throughout Deftones’ discography.
Contributions to Deftones
Chi Cheng’s bass playing was essential in shaping Deftones’ signature sound. His funk-influenced slap bass technique paired with downtuned guitars gave the band a unique dynamic. Some of Chi’s most notable basslines and performances were on songs like "My Own Summer (Shove It)," with its iconic intro riff, and "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)" featuring prominent slap bass rhythms.
Beyond bass, Chi contributed to the songwriting process, coming up with foundational ideas during jam sessions. While guitarist Stephen Carpenter was the primary songwriter, Chi assisted by fleshing out grooves and bass parts. His instincts for catchy, driving basslines can be heard throughout the band’s discography.
Ultimately, Chi Cheng’s rhythmic sensibilities defined the pulse of Deftones’ music. The interplay between his bass and Abe Cunningham’s drums gave Deftones an instantly recognizable groove. Chi’s tone and style served as connective tissue linking the heavy guitars and ethereal vocals. Though often understated, his contributions were essential in establishing Deftones as a leading force in alternative metal.
The Tragic Car Accident
On November 4, 2008, Chi Cheng was involved in a devastating car accident in Santa Clara, California that left him in a coma. Cheng was riding in the passenger seat when the car collided head-on with another vehicle. The accident occurred late at night on a two-lane highway.
Cheng suffered major traumatic injuries as a result of the high-speed collision. He sustained extensive brain injuries that resulted in a coma. Doctors reported that Cheng’s brain had been deprived of oxygen for nearly 5 minutes after the crash. In addition to the severe head trauma, Cheng broke his back, shoulder, and ribs. His injuries were critical.
Emergency responders arrived quickly at the scene. Cheng underwent emergency surgery at a local hospital to stabilize him. Doctors worked tirelessly, but the prognosis was bleak. Cheng remained in a minimally conscious state with little brain activity. He was unresponsive and unable to breathe on his own. It was the beginning of a long and arduous recovery journey for Cheng.
The Tragic Car Accident and Recovery Process
The members of Deftones were devastated when they received the tragic news that Chi had been involved in a terrible car accident in November 2008. While driving home late at night after a show, Chi crashed his car and was left in a coma with severe head trauma.
The band immediately halted their touring plans and put all focus on supporting Chi’s recovery process. They regularly visited him in the hospital and rallied fans to help raise money for his substantial medical bills through benefit concerts and donation drives.
Seeing their close friend and fellow bandmate fighting for his life was an extremely emotional time for Deftones. But they remained constantly by Chi’s side during his long hospitalization and numerous operations.
Tragically, despite making progress with some promising signs of consciousness, Chi remained in a minimally conscious state for years. He required around-the-clock care and endured many medical setbacks that made a full recovery seem unlikely.
But Deftones never gave up hope that their brother Chi would one day open his eyes again and be able to communicate with them. Their dedication to Chi’s wellbeing was unwavering, even as his recovery journey proved slow and arduous.
Brief Moments of Lucidity
For years after the accident, Chi remained in a semi-conscious state, unable to communicate or respond to his loved ones. Though the brain damage from the crash was extensive, there were occasional, fleeting moments where Chi showed signs of awareness and responsiveness.
In 2009, nearly a year after the accident, Chi’s family reported seeing him smile in response to a joke, demonstrating some level of comprehension. Over the next few years, there were a handful of instances where Chi briefly awoke from his unresponsive state – slight movements of his head or hand in reaction to stimuli.
Each of these moments, though infrequent and transient, gave Chi’s family and bandmates a sense of hope that further recovery was possible. Though doctors warned that the prospects for Chi emerging from the coma permanently were slim, his loved ones clung to the faith that Chi’s fighting spirit would prevail.
The sporadic reactions kept alive the possibility that Chi’s brain might continue healing, that his personality might surface again. For years, the fleeting signs of life pushed back against the darkness of oblivion and coma, kindling the hopes of those who missed Chi’s voice and spirit. Though the road to recovery remained daunting, the sparks of lucidity reminded all who loved Chi to never give up hope.
Chi Cheng’s Lasting Legacy
Chi Cheng left an indelible mark on the rock and metal community, influencing countless musicians with his unique bass playing and contributions to Deftones’ iconic albums. As a pioneering artist in the nu-metal genre, Chi helped shape the rhythmic foundations and aesthetics that defined the movement in the late 90s and early 2000s.
His slapping and fingerstyle bass technique inspired a generation of nu-metal and alt-metal bassists. Chi’s intricate lines and creative rhythmic sensibilities can be heard echoing through the work of many bands that emerged in Deftones’ wake. Groups like Korn, Slipknot, and System of a Down built off the innovations that Chi brought to the genre.
Beyond his musical contributions, Chi was beloved for his kindness, wisdom, and dedication to his craft. His tragic accident and ensuing fight for recovery touched music fans worldwide. Numerous tributes and memorials have honored Chi over the years, including benefit concerts featuring Deftones and other major rock acts.
In 2018, Deftones released an album titled Eros containing unreleased material featuring some of Chi’s final recordings with the band. They dedicated this poignant release to his memory. Chi Cheng remains an iconic figure who defined the sound of a generation and brought passion to everything he did. His enduring influence is a testament to the power of his artistry.
Chi Cheng’s Personal Life
Offstage, Chi was known for his warm, fun-loving personality that complemented his intense stage presence. By all accounts, he was a loyal friend and brought much humor and lightheartedness to the group during their rise to fame.
Chi formed close bonds with his fellow Deftones members in the decades they spent constantly touring and recording together. Despite the pressures of the music industry, they remained a tight-knit group, regarding each other as brothers. Chi was particularly close with vocalist Chino Moreno, who referred to Chi as his "best friend."
Outside of his music career, Chi had a wide range of interests and passions. He was an avid skateboarder and enjoyed other sports and outdoor activities like snowboarding and surfing. Creative pursuits like photography and poetry were also important creative outlets for Chi.
Above all, Chi was a dedicated family man. He treasured time spent with his parents, siblings, and own children. His dedication to his son Gabriel, who was born shortly before the accident, gave Chi strength during his difficult recovery. Despite the rock star image, Chi was a down-to-earth person devoted to his loved ones.
Keeping Chi’s Memory Alive
Deftones fans around the world continue to celebrate Chi Cheng’s life and musical contributions. Online communities are filled with heartfelt tributes, photos, stories, and memories shared by those whose lives were touched by Chi. His unique bass lines live on as new generations of listeners discover Deftones’ catalog.
The remaining members of Deftones have honored their late bassist in numerous ways. Their album Koi No Yokan was dedicated to Chi, with lyrics reflecting on his accident and recovery. During live shows, Deftones display photos and videos of Chi while performing songs he recorded. They continue to speak fondly of Chi in interviews, expressing how much he is missed both as a bandmate and friend.
Chi Cheng’s legacy has left an indelible impact on music history. As an innovative bassist, his techniques influenced and inspired many metal and rock musicians who followed. His decade-plus tenure in Deftones shaped their signature sound which persists across their discography. Though his career was tragically cut short, Chi made creative contributions that will be treasured by fans forever. His willingness to fight for life remains a lasting testament to his spirit.