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.”

The proclamation will be read during the Tempe City Council meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Harry E. Mitchell Government Complex, 31 E. Fifth St. in Tempe.

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

Whereas, the City of Tempe recognizes our local music and musicians as essential to the identity and cultural vibrancy of our community, and honors beloved Tempe musician Kevin Daly who passed away on November 26, 2025, after contributing to the soundtrack of our city for over 40 years; and,

Whereas, Kevin was a cornerstone of the “Swamp House,” his longtime residence in Tempe, which served as a cooperative workshop for vintage motorcycle and automobile restoration, and a gathering place for local musicians and vintage-vehicle enthusiasts to pursue their passions; and,

Whereas, throughout his decades-long career, Kevin performed in numerous bands, played at Tempe’s most iconic local venues, and consistently strengthened the city’s live-music community through his artistry and leadership, advancing the rockabilly and psychobilly musical movement in Tempe; and,

Whereas, alongside his musical career, Kevin was a dedicated community member who provided opportunities to others both through music and through his painting company, Hickory Wind Construction, which supported countless local musicians by allowing them to pursue their craft while maintaining financial stability; and,

Whereas, Kevin, who found strength in his sobriety, served as a source of support, inspiration, and encouragement for fellow musicians and community members seeking their own recovery in Tempe; and,

Whereas, the City of Tempe will forever be strengthened by Kevin Daly’s legacy — rooted in song, strength, and service — which will continue to empower, inspire, and uplift our community for generations to come.

Now, therefore, I, Corey Woods, mayor of the City of Tempe, Arizona, do hereby declare December 11, 2025 as Kevin Daly Day in Tempe, Arizona.

Editor’s note: This story was updated on Dec. 10 with finalized text from the proclamation.