Chi Cheng (1970-2013)

Chi Cheng (1970-2013)

Chi Ling Dai Cheng was born July 15th, 1970 in Stockton, California. Cheng graduated from Tokay High School and would later attend California State University in 1989. While attending University he worked on campus, wrote poetry, and played with the Deftones. During this time he converted to Buddhism and had an interest in Taoism and Shamanism as well as became a vegetarian. While working with the Deftones he continued as a poet and spoken word artist and authored an anthology of poems titled The Bamboo Parachute in 2000.

Achievements: 

Solo:

The Bamboo Parachute (2000)

With Deftones:

For a more comprehensive list, see Deftones discography.

Adrenaline (1995)

Around the Fur (1997)

White Pony (2000)

Deftones (2003)

Saturday Night Wrist (2006)

Guest appearances

Live at the Fillmore by Dredg (2006)

Korn has a song titled "Chi" from their second album Life Is Peachy (1996), which is named after Cheng.

Dredg dedicated their 2009 album The Pariah, the Parrot, the Delusion to Cheng, who had previously been a special guest on Dredg's 2006 live album Live at the Fillmore.

Far frontman, Jonah Matranga, has stated that the title track "At Night We Live" from their 2010 album, is inspired by a dream he had, shortly following a hospital visit to see Cheng.

In November 2013 The Cheng family, friends and volunteers started the seatbelt awareness program called Buckle Up For Chi www.buckleupforchi.com Their goal is to raise seatbelt awareness and usage. To bring more awareness to traumatic brain injuries, also known as T.B.I. 100% run by volunteers. They can be found through social media via Facebook group, Instagram and Twitter.

Charities:

Proceeds from The Bamboo Parachute went towards numerous charities and to buy musical instruments for kids in the Sacramento Area.

The Cheng Family started Buckle Up for Chi to raise awareness and use of seatbelts.