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X-Ray Spex's Poly Styrene Dies From Breast Cancer

Poly StyreneFabrizio Rainone

Sadly, the punk world lost one of its great pioneers this week as X-Ray Spex's iconic leader Poly Styrene (aka Marian Joan Elliott-Said) succumbed to breast cancer. She was 53 years old.

The British-born singer was an inimitable voice in the first-generation London punk scene and the defining face of a heroic band that consistently broke from convention. On Tuesday, rumors of her death became increasingly credible, fueled by condolences on her Facebook page, and her UK spokesperson confirmed the news early Tuesday morning.

"Poly Styrene was a punk amongst punks," her representatives said in a statement. "A groundbreaking presence that left an unrepeatable mark on the musical landscape, she made history the moment she uttered, 'Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard but I think oh bondage up yours!' The influence of Poly and X-ray Spex has been felt far and wide ever since. Their landmark album 'Germ Free Adolescents' is a landmark work and a primary influence on Britpop and Riot Grrrl. At the centre of it was Poly Styrene, a bi-racial feminist punk with the perfect voice to soundtrack rebellion. Poly never sacrificed the intelligence or the fun in her music and style. 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."

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Loaded with witty, anti-establishment sentiments that seemed to dismiss proper feminism in favor of fierce individualism, Styrene informed the Riot Grrrl movement that would follow, long after she abandoned X-Ray Spex in 1979. The band's one true hit, 'Oh Bondage, Up Yours,' remains a key track in punk history, having proved itself a timeless classic. Like many punk bands from the era, their career lasted just three years with few, intermittent reunions thereafter, but their mark on the genre, the culture and music history at large is immeasurable.

Styrene left X-Ray Spex following some personal incidents which, in hindsight, only further solidified her as a punk goddess -- including claims that she suffered from hallucinations and a period in which she joined the Hare Krishnas. A solo career in the 1980s kept her name out there but was a mixed bag both in terms of the music (which ranged from dance-punk to something more akin to New Age) and in terms of the reception. More recently, she had a more earnest comeback, championed by a new solo album, 'Generation Indigo,' which was a return to form, gloriously recalling her days in X-Ray Spex. In a tragic coincidence, that album was released on the same day she passed away (Click the above link to listen to in its entirety).

In February, Styrene announced that she had breast cancer. A Facebook update, dated April 19, reads, "Slowly, slowly trying to get better, miss my walk along the promenade. Would be so nice to sing again, and play my new album live. It's nice to have something positive to look forward to, Love Poly X."

She will be missed.

X-Ray Spex Perform 'Oh Bondage, Up Yours'


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ushooturiout58

Never heard of her, I'm sure because Im not a punk fan but sad news. And even though Im not a fan I do believe there is punk in heaven. RIP

April 27 2011 at 1:33 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jim

such a loss. She will be missed.

April 27 2011 at 12:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steven R. Russell

Never heard of this person.

April 27 2011 at 12:33 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Steven R. Russell's comment
Tom

So why comment? Those of us who knew her work will miss her.

April 27 2011 at 12:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Muso Mik

punk was the thing of the time and cancer sadly grabs one in three, it might be you or me but we can still be free... lyrics off the top of head, copyrite now, of course....:)

April 26 2011 at 11:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bob

Hey ! I'm 70 years old and have been a rocker since the 50's. I just listened to Virtual Boyfriend for the first time and wondering how I ever missed such a great sound. I know why she will be missed. That group is great. RIP good lady.

April 26 2011 at 11:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
arlenenjim

it's a sad day everyone will miss her.

April 26 2011 at 10:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to arlenenjim's comment
Red Sam Rackham

EVERYONE will miss her? EVERYONE?!?!?!? Get real! Punk Rock was a passing fad that lasted only slightly longer than the Nehru jacket and Poly Styrene was NOT one of it's better known names. In fact most of us never heard of her.

April 27 2011 at 12:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
loufalce

Who`s Poly Styrene? Is that a plastic or something? Never heard of `er.

April 26 2011 at 10:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Wade

Never heard of her.

April 26 2011 at 10:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
howard

Polly want a casket?

April 26 2011 at 9:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Glenn

Bloody shame. Say hello to Sid and Ian for me. Cancer is a right cow son.

April 26 2011 at 7:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply