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RIP Poly Styrene


Zint

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Oh man!

Sad news.. :(

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Early punk icon Poly Styrene has died. She was only 53.

Poly Styrene, whose real name was Marianne Joan Elliott-Said, had been suffering from breast cancer that spread to her spine and lungs.

Of British and Somali heritage, she was born in 1957 in Bromley Kent. The story goes that she ran away from home at 15 with 3 pounds in her pocket and travelled around music festivals. Eventually, inspired by a Sex Pistols show, she founded the band X-Ray Spex when she was 18.

The band lasted from 1976-1979, during which time they released one album, 1978's Germ Free Adolescents and a few singles including Oh Bondage, Up Yours! and The Day the World Turned Day-Glo.

After X-Ray Specs split, she embarked on a solo career. Her last album Generation Indigo was released just last month.

She's often cited as an influence on women in rock music and the Riot Grrrl movement.

The Guardian reports that Poly stayed positive to the last, planning to make more music after she was cured. Fittingly, a statement on the singer's official website and Twitter feed said Tuesday that "the beautiful Poly Styrene, who has been a true fighter, won her battle on Monday evening to go to higher places."

The Canadian Press reports that Poly once told the BBC in an interview she would like to be remembered for something spiritual, but "I know I'll probably be remembered for 'Oh Bondage, Up Yours!'"

Boy George took to Twitter to write, "Boy George was among those paying tribute on Twitter, writing, "Oh bless you Poly you will be missed! Legend!"

Poly Styrene is survived by her daughter, Celeste Bell-Dos Santos, who fronts the band Debutant Disco.

Edited by zint61
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Guest Len B'stard

Sorely missed already. Poly was a fucking legend.

I was sort of saddened by the way she distanced herself from punk towards the end of her life though, a true fucking original from that very very first formative blast of stuff out of London that was just fucking sublime, before the format set in. The sax alone in this band is fucking intense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJkT1sGqFKM

This is from a punk top 10 TV show presented by Malcolm McLaren, this is the X Ray Spex entry, number 9 :)

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