GWAR Founding Vocalist Chuck Varga Dies at 68
Chuck Varga, founding GWAR vocalist and Sexicutioner character, died of cancer at 68. Bandmates launched a blood donation drive in his honor.
Chuck Varga, a founding member and vocalist of the shock-rock heavy metal band GWAR, died following a battle with cancer. He was 68.
GWAR bass player Casey Orr announced the death, according to Deadline. Varga, a Brooklyn resident, disclosed his cancer diagnosis in April of the previous year.
Varga performed vocals with GWAR during its 1986-1996 breakthrough period and sometimes played the character Sexicutioner. He returned to the band for stints from 2000-2002, 2014-2017 and 2022, after leaving in 1997 and relocating to New York City.
Born in 1958, Varga attended Virginia Commonwealth University, where he met Hunter Jackson. The two set up a production space called The Slave Pit. GWAR combined heavy metal with sci-fi and medieval Nordic mythology and Kiss-style costumes, earning a 1993 Grammy nomination for the long form music video Phallus in Wonderland and another in the Best Metal Performance category for the single S.F.W.
Varga later founded Hyperreal Productions, a costume and set design company. In his honor, GWAR bandmates launched a nationwide blood donation campaign.
Quick answers
Who was Chuck Varga?
Chuck Varga was a founding member and vocalist of the shock-rock heavy metal band GWAR. He sometimes played the character Sexicutioner and later founded Hyperreal Productions, a costume and set design company.
How did Chuck Varga die?
Varga died following a battle with cancer. He was 68 and lived in Brooklyn, New York.
How is GWAR honoring Chuck Varga?
GWAR bandmates launched a nationwide blood donation campaign in his honor.