UPDATE April 26, 2:30 a.m.: At 10:27 a.m. U.K. time, Poly Styrene's official Twitter feed confirmed that Poly did pass away last night due to breast cancer, in the company of her mother and her daughter, Celeste Bell-Dos Santos.
The musician fronted X-Ray Spex in the late '70s; not only was their album Germ Free
Adolescents groundbreaking for the punk rock movement in the U.K., she has also been credited as an
influence to contemporary female-led rock groups from Seattle's riot grrls in the '90s to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Gossip today.
Boy George has paid tribute to her, tweeting from Twitter.com/boygeorge: “It's seems true that Poly Styrene has passed away, she was my punk hero, I'm so heartbroken!,” adding, “I was a fan of Poly before I got to know her, she was a Krishna follower too, oh bless you Poly you will be missed! Legend!”
Poly Styrene just released her solo album Generation Indigo in March in the U.K.; it is out in the U.S. today. Listen to the full Generation Indigo record streaming on AOL Spinner and watch the interview where she discusses the album track by track here.
Original post, Poly Styrene of X-ray Spex Rumored to Have Passed Away, April 25, 5:15 p.m.: While we can't confirm anything yet, according to her Facebook page, UK punk icon Poly Styrene, 53, passed away today.
The X-ray Spex's singer, born Marian Joan Elliott-Said on June 3, 1957, was diagnosed with cancer two months ago.
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who were also trying to confirm the sad news. We're trying to get confirmation via her publicist, but have not heard back.
Poly Styrene's latest update on April 19 said, ”
