Steve Riley (drummer)

Steve Riley (January 22, 1956 – October 24, 2023) was an American rock drummer, best known for his work with the bands W.A.S.P. and L.A. Guns.

Riley began his career playing in various local bands before joining W.A.S.P. in 1984. He recorded several albums with W.A.S.P., including "The Last Command" (1985), "Inside the Electric Circus" (1986), and "The Headless Children" (1989).

In 1987, Riley left W.A.S.P. and joined L.A. Guns, becoming a mainstay in the band. He appeared on numerous L.A. Guns albums, including "Cocked & Loaded" (1989), "Hollywood Vampires" (1991), and "Vicious Circle" (1994). Riley remained with various iterations of L.A. Guns for many years.

Following a period with two competing versions of L.A. Guns, Riley eventually lost the right to use the L.A. Guns name in a legal dispute with guitarist Tracii Guns. He continued to perform with a band initially called "Riley's L.A. Guns," later changing the name following the legal outcome.

Riley was known for his powerful and precise drumming style, contributing significantly to the sound of both W.A.S.P. and L.A. Guns. His death in 2023 was widely mourned by fans and musicians in the hard rock community.