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l7 bassist and los angeles punk legend jennifer finch has died at age 59.
her band announced her death in a statement posted on its website and on instagram on saturday, which came days after it revealed that the rocker was battling an aggressive form of brain cancer.
“with a very heavy heart we announce that our beloved bandmate, friend, and fellow troublemaker jennifer finch has passed away today,” the statement read.
“she had a long courageous fight with brain cancer and was loved by many wonderful friends, musical peers and fans worldwide. we love you jennifer,” it added.
in a statement obtained by pitchfork, l7 said: “we are shattered by the loss of our beloved bandmate, sister and friend jennifer finch, whose fierce spirit, humor and boundless creativity helped shape l7 and changed all of our lives forever.
“jennifer was a true original who lived entirely on her own terms, and the impact she made on music, art and everyone lucky enough to know her cannot be measured. we love her beyond words and will carry her with us always. rest in power our dear friend.”
gofundme described her health condition
last week, l7 announced that finch had to drop out of the band’s planned final tour as she continued her medical treatments, with a gofundme launched to help pay for the rock icon’s medical bills.
“when she first heard the diagnosis, there was reason to believe that treatment, including a full course of radiation, would get her back to some version of normal living,” finch’s gofundme said.
“unforeseen complications led to multiple surgeries and a string of difficult setbacks,” it said, adding that the level of care she needed had “gone beyond what friends and family” could “safely provide around the clock.”
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from photographer to rocker
finch was raised in l.a. and had an interest in photographing the nascent punk scene in the 1980s.
her photography brought her closer to others in the burgeoning genre, leading her to become a bassist for the band sugar babydoll, with courtney love and kat bjelland, before they each moved on to form their bands, hole and babes in toyland, respectively.
she formed l7 in 1985 with drummer dee plakas and singer-guitarists suzi gardner and donita sparks as part of a new wave of female musicians entering the male-dominated punk scene.
the band was set to begin its the last hurrah tour in the u.s. in october with finch urging her bandmates to continue to tour while she continued with her cancer fight.
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