Vale, Poly Styrene
Poly Styrene, frontwoman of influential 1970s punk group X-Ray Spex, died in London yesterday at the age of 53.
A spokesperson for the singer confirmed her death from breast cancer, hailing her as “a bi-racial feminist punk with the perfect voice to soundtrack rebellion” in a statement.
“Poly never sacrificed the intelligence or the fun in her music and style,” it continued. “Her trademark braces and dayglo clothes were a playful rejection of the status quo and of conformity and complacency.
“She dissected gender politics, consumer culture, and the obsessions of modern life in a way that made us all want sing along with her.”
Born Marian Joan Elliott-Said, Poly rose to fame in 1976 as the frontwoman of X-Ray Spex, recording the punk classic Oh Bondage, Up Yours!.
She left the band in 1978 but recorded a solo album in 1980 before being sidetracked by mental illness.
Earlier this year Poly released Generation Indigo – her first studio album in three decades.
Listen to her iconic punk anthem below.
Via The Guardian.
