The Slits' Ari Up dies at age48

Thu 21st Oct, 2010 in International News

Ari Up, frontwoman of pioneering British punk band The Slits, has died aged 48.

Sex Pistols’ singer John Lydon who is married to Forster’s mother, Nora, confirmed the sad news on his website: “Nora’s daughter Arianna (aka Ari-Up) died today (Wednesday, October 20th) after a serious illness. She will be sadly missed.”

Known for their unpredictable antics onstage and off, The Slits were formed in 1976 by the 14 year old Ari Up and drummer Palmolive. The band was one of the few female fronted groups of the late 70s punk explosion in England and a major influence on the early ‘90s riot grrrl movement.

The Slits released two albums, 1979’s Cut, which infamous features photo of the band topless, covered in mud on the cover, and 1981’s Return of the Giant Slits before breaking up. The band reunited in 2005, visited Australia in early 2007 to play at the inaugural Golden Plains Festival and released a final album Trapped Animal in 2009.