Dennis DePianto, better known to fans as DD Meanie, sometime guitarist with Australian underground rock types The Meanies, died last Thursday in Melbourne. He was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy when he was a child, and had recently suffered from cancer.
Band member Ringo has written a tribute on the band's website, saying: "He will have a special place in the band having played in the key years when the band developed both its sound and following. He played with and became a great colleague of many Australian Bands - Headache, Hard-ons, Root Beer, Cosmic Psychos etc. He also played with Nirvana, shared beers with Pearl Jam."
He continues: "With the challenge of dealing with muscular dystrophy, he still managed to tour and see the world - Japan, few times to Europe, The States. Must have been tough going for him at times, being restricted in mobility. Poor bloke got stuck on the 8th(?) floor when we got holed up in Hamburg for a week before a tour - no elevators, only stair! He generally accepted his lot and enjoyed the experiences that many musicians would envy."
Finally, he adds: "DD will be missed by the Meanies and other bands he has played with. He was a good friend to many. He was immensely proud of his achievements and it gave him great joy to talk about the 'good days' like some old retired rocker. Have no doubt that he inspired a heap of kids to join a daggy punk rock band and be cool".
DD will be buried in his home town of Adelaide, but a memorial is being planned to take place in Melbourne.