🎸 Johnny Silverhand
“Wake the fuck up, Samurai. We have a city to burn.”
Johnny Silverhand was the most famous Rockerboy of his generation—a revolutionary, terrorist, and martyr who died leading the assault on Arasaka Tower in 2020. His legend shapes Night City to this day.
đź“‹ Profile
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Robert John Linder |
| Born | 1988 |
| Died | August 20, 2020 |
| Role | Rockerboy |
| Band | SAMURAI |
| Famous For | Anti-corporate activism, Arasaka Tower assault |
đź“ś History
Early Life
- Born in College Station, Texas
- Enlisted in US military
- Lost arm in Central American conflict
- Received cyberarm (silver chrome)
- Adopted “Silverhand” name
SAMURAI (2003-2008)
Formed the band SAMURAI with Kerry Eurodyne:
- Revolutionary rock/metal
- Anti-corporate lyrics
- Massive following
- “Chippin’ In” became anthem
Rockerboy Legend (2008-2020)
After SAMURAI disbanded:
- Solo career
- Increasingly radical activism
- Multiple arrests
- Relationship with Alt Cunningham
- Arasaka became personal enemy
The Alt Incident
Alt Cunningham, brilliant Netrunner and Johnny’s lover:
- Created Soulkiller program
- Kidnapped by Arasaka
- Johnny’s rescue attempt failed
- Alt’s consciousness captured by Soulkiller
- Johnny’s hatred for Arasaka became absolute
Placeholder: Johnny Silverhand portrait (pg. 260)
đź’€ The Death of Johnny Silverhand
August 20, 2020
Johnny led a strike team to Arasaka Tower:
- Team included Morgan Blackhand, Spider Murphy, others
- Goal: Destroy Arasaka’s Night City HQ
- Free or destroy Alt’s engram
The Assault
Events are disputed, but:
- Team penetrated Tower defenses
- Johnny confronted by Adam Smasher
- Nuclear device detonated
- Johnny killed (shot by Smasher? caught in blast?)
Aftermath
- Body recovered by Arasaka
- Reportedly subjected to Soulkiller
- Engram status: unknown
- Body: destroyed or stored somewhere
🎵 Music
Discography
With SAMURAI:
- Chippin’ In (2003)
- Never Fade Away (2004)
- The Ballad of Buck Ravers (2005)
- Black Dog (2006)
Impact
Johnny’s music influenced:
- Entire Rockerboy movement
- Anti-corporate sentiment
- Night City counterculture
- Political consciousness
Chippin' In (Chorus)
“I’m chippin’ in, I’m chippin’ in Until the day I die I’m chippin’ in”
🌟 Legacy (2045)
Cultural Impact
Twenty-five years after his death:
- Considered martyr to many
- Villain to corporations
- Songs still played everywhere
- Graffiti and memorials throughout Night City
- “Silverhand Was Right” common slogan
Followers
Some who carry his message:
- Underground Rockerboys
- Anti-corporate activists
- Edgerunners fighting the corps
- Kerry Eurodyne (former bandmate, still alive)
The Question
What happened to Johnny’s engram?
- Did Arasaka successfully Soulkiller him?
- Does his consciousness still exist somewhere?
- Could he be “resurrected”?
- Who controls his digital soul?
🎲 GM Resources
Using Johnny’s Legacy
As Background:
- Characters might idolize or hate him
- His music plays in clubs
- Memorial sites exist
- Gangs use his iconography
As Plot Hook:
- Rumors of Johnny’s engram surfacing
- Arasaka hunting for his digital soul
- Someone claims to channel Johnny
- Hidden recording discovered
Johnny-Connected NPCs
| Name | Connection |
|---|---|
| Kerry Eurodyne | Former bandmate (alive) |
| Rogue Amendiares | Former associate (alive) |
| Alt Cunningham | Former lover (engram, status unknown) |
| Morgan Blackhand | Fellow combatant (status unknown) |
đź”— Related Topics
(Source: Cyberpunk RED Core Rulebook, pgs. 258-262)