Tempe names Dec. 11 Kevin Daly Day for punk guitarist

Beloved rock and punk guitarist Kevin Daly was a Tempe institution. The local musician, who died on Nov. 26, lived and performed in the East Valley city for nearly four decades.

Now, his hometown is paying tribute to the late guitarist and his lifetime contributions. On Monday, Tempe officially declared Dec. 11 as Kevin Daly Day.

The proclamation honors Daly for “contributing to the soundtrack of (the) city for more than 40 years,” which included performing with bands like Grave Danger.

And like many great punk stories, this one began with friends.

The idea of an official proclamation honoring Daly was born in the comments section of a recent Facebook post, where a fan tagged Tempe Mayor Corey Woods. Within hours, Woods replied that the city would love to honor the late guitarist.

A number of Daly’s friends, including Flathead’s Vince Ramirez and Fat Gray Cat’s Michael Pistrui, wrote the proclamation with assistance from Tempe History Museum’s Joshua Roffler.

The group also included Chicken and Waffles singer Jean Rusen, local artist Kyllan Maney, merch designer Rob Locker, Daly’s neighbor Justin Stewart and Grave Danger bandmate Michael Wolfe

Daly was a Tempe music scene lifer who played stages across the city, including the famed Yucca Tap Room and the now-demolished Long Wong’s. A hot rod enthusiast, he also lived for years at a home on 11th Street that doubled as his rehearsal space, recording studio and garage.

The proclamation encapsulated Daly’s life in music, his passions and his deep roots in the Tempe community.

Maney told Phoenix New Times via email that while Daly may never have sought the honor, his friends felt compelled to make it happen.

“As a group, we thought Kevin was always (too) humble to have this acknowledgement,” Maney says. “But as a person who put this music on the map in Tempe, (its) important to have a day of remembrance for the music community, as well as a way to remember Kevin and find healing from his loss.”

Here’s the complete text of the Kevin Daly Day proclamation:

Whereas the City of Tempe recognizes our local music and musicians as critical to our identity as a community.

Whereas beloved longtime Tempe musician Kevin Daly passed away on November 26, 2025 after contributing to the soundtrack of our city for over 40 years.

Whereas, Kevin Daly will be honored on December 11, 2025 by friends, family and the Tempe community for his dedication and contribution to the music scene and his love for community and local neighborhood.

Whereas, Kevin Daly was the King of the “Swap Shack”, his long-term Tempe residence at 420 W. 11th Street, which served as a rehearsal, writing, & recording studio, a cooperative garage space for vintage motorcycle & automobile maintenance and restoration, and a gathering space/safe haven for local musicians & vintage vehicle enthusiasts.

Whereas, he put the Rock-a-billy/psychobilly movement in the Tempe area on the map and beyond having influence on the future music in Tempe. His music career started with Grant and the Geezers, The Hoods and Occult Point 45.

Whereas, he was in numerous bands starting with Hellfire in the 80s, which had a direct influence on the formation of Flathead, which he joined a decade later in the 90s, while playing classic venues like the Sail Inn, The Mason Jar, Long Wong’s, and The Yucca Tap Room. Shortly after he formed Grave Danger, which was his longest standing band project, and was proclaimed as “The Best Band to see On a Three Day Bender” by the New Times. He also played in the band’s Chicken and Waffles, and The Trophy Husbands.

Whereas, Kevin was a community member helping various people by providing jobs through music gigs and his painting company, Hickory Wind Construction, a commercial and residential painting company. His company employed countless musicians, which allowed these artists to hone in on their craft of musicianship and provide a way for them to pay their rent by his craftsman business endeavors.

Whereas, Kevin eventually found comfort and strength through sobriety and served as a positive influence and inspiration for other local musicians and community members to find and maintain their own sobriety.

Whereas, Kevin Daly will be missed by the heart of Tempe, but in his loss he has provided countless opportunities through his love of music and community. Luckily, for all mayors of the City of Tempe, who have been in office, he was too humble to never run for mayor himself, even though he was often asked.