Poly Styrene Remembered by Kathleen Hanna, Billy Bragg and Beastie Boys

Posted on Apr 26th 2011 2:45PM by Jason MacNeil
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Fabrizio Rainone

Several artists and labels have gone to their websites and Twitter accounts to pay tribute to X-Ray Spex's iconic leader Poly Styrene (aka Marian Joan Elliott-Said), who succumbed to breast cancer this week.

"She was only 53 years old and was looking forward to getting herself better so she could play her new record live," Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill, Le Tigre) wrote in a lengthy post on her own site, adding she felt a "total loss" and was left "devastated" by the singer's passing.

"Poly lit the way for me as a female singer who wanted to sing about ideas," she continued. "She taught me, by example, that fame was less the goal than something to back away from when it started to invade your core. Her lyrics influenced EVERYONE I KNOW WHO MAKES MUSIC."

"Poly Styrene made a truly original contribution to the spirit of punk," Billy Bragg said on his Twitter account. "Celebrate her life!"

"R.I.P. Poly Styrene...she was amazing, one of a kind, x ray spex Germ Free Adolescents a great record, she gave great gifts bless her soul," Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea said via Twitter.

"A pioneer died yesterday," Indica Records said on their Twitter account. "Riot Girrrrrllls you owe this woman a lot!"

"Fkn sad day...Poly Styrene R.I.P." the Beastie Boys wrote on their Twitter April 26 as well.

"OH BONDAGE UP YOURS!!! R.I.P. Poly Styrene," Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls wrote. "Important voice in punk rock lady awesomeness."

"Poly Styrene was THE badass, rest in peaches," Owen Pallett wrote via Twitter.

F-ked Up's Damian Abraham used a quote from the late artist in a tweet which read: "Some people say little girls should be seen and not heard. Well I think..."

Sex Pistols' bassist Glen Matlock told BBC 6 Music that the late singer had a "general joie de vivre nuttiness." "I am still trying to collect my thoughts on the matter, but again it's someone in the rock scene that has died far too young, and it's a great loss."

Former Culture Club singer Boy George added via Twitter that he was a fan of Poly Styrene's before meeting her. "Oh bless you Polly you will be missed! Legend!"

Poly Styrene Remembered