Frontwoman of cult UK punk band The Slits, Ari Up, has passed away at the age of 48.
The news came via a statement on the website of her stepfather, and Sex Pistols singer, John Lydon.
It read: “John and Nora have asked us to let everyone know that Nora’s daughter Arianna (aka Ari Up) died today (Wednesday, October 20th) after a serious illness. She will be sadly missed.”
Ari Up, born Ariane Forster, was born in Munich to Nora Forster, whose father was a wealthy newspaper magnate.
She was surrounded by punk music as a child, her mother marrying John Lydon, and Joe Strummer teaching her how to play guitar.
At 14 she formed The Slits, bringing a reggae sensibility to raw punk rock, with Palmolive, Viv Albertine and Tessa Pollitt.
The band lasted from 1976 to 1982, then reformed in 2005, touring the US, Australia and Japan and releasing a new album Trapped Animal last year.
She leaves behind a husband and twins.
