Iconic X-Ray Spex front woman Poly Styrene has died of breast cancer, aged just 53. She announced on her website in February this year and an announcement was made on her Facebook fan page yesterday confirming that she had lost her battle with the disease.
Born Marian Joan Elliott-Said, she formed X-Ray Spex in 1976, with the band releasing only one album, Germ Free Adolescents. The singer then went solo , releasing an album before leaving the music industry and joining the Hare Krishnas as she battled her bi-polar condition. She was best known for the punk anthem ‘Oh Bondage Up Yours!’ which she ruefully admitted was unlikely to change, in spite of releasing a new solo album, Generation Indigo, just at the end of last month.
Her official Twitter feed announced “We can confirm that the beautiful Poly Styrene, who has been a true fighter, won her battle on Monday evening to go to higher places.” Her close friend Boy George, who once tried to break her out of the Hare Krishna temple she had retreated to, said on his Twitter page “I was a fan of Poly before I got to know her, she was a Krishna follower too, oh bless you Polly you will be missed! Legend!”
