The punk icon and singer of X-Ray Spex has died from an advanced form of breast cancer.
Poly Styrene, best known as the frontwoman with the punk group X-Ray Spex, has died. Styrene was receiving treatment for an advanced form of breast cancer when she passed away Monday 25 April. She was 53. A spokesperson for Styrene confirmed her death, saying everyone around her was saddened by the news.
Styrene, who was born Marian Joan Elliott-Said, shot to fame in 1976 with X-Ray Spex, and was immortalised in punk history with the song Oh Bondage, Up Yours! "Little girls should be seen and not heard," Styrene would say to introduce the track. X-Ray Spex released one album, the acclaimed Germ Free Adolescents in 1978, before Styrene left the group.
Styrene went on to release a solo record in 1980, Translucence, but a series of traumatic incidents stalled her career. The singer was sectioned after being misdiagnosed with schizophrenia in the 80s, and was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In 1995, she survived being hit by a fire engine.
Styrene was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, and was told it had spread to her lungs and spine. Despite undergoing treatment, she gave numerous interviews in recent months to promote her latest solo album, Generation Indigo. In an interview with the Guardian in March, she was described as "ironically upbeat" in spite of her health.
She told the Guardian: "You remember that old song 'Que Sera Sera, Whatever will be, will be, the future's not ours to see'? I've always felt that. It's been a rollercoaster ride, but I wouldn't change a thing." - excerpts from http://www.guardian.co.uk
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-- Xray Spex was one of the first punk rock bands that I got into back in the 80's.
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