Legendary German-born punk musician Arianna Ari Up Forster has died. The long-running performer was best known for fronting the seminal, dub-influenced post-punk band the Slits. She was 48 years old.
The announcement first broke via Twitter on Wednesday (October 20). While so many Twitter-based death reports end up being hoaxes, the Sex Pistols' John Lydon, who was Up's step-father, released a statement through his website confirming Up's death.
The statement reads, John and Nora [Forster] 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.
When the Slits broke up in 1982, Ari pursued solo work, as well as music with the New Age Steppers. In 2005, she reformed the Slits and the band have been actively touring and releasing new material. Their most recent album was 2009's Trapped Animal.
Up's exact cause of death was unknown. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
UPDATE: Head to our Click Hear department for the Slits' final music video "Lazy Slam."
The announcement first broke via Twitter on Wednesday (October 20). While so many Twitter-based death reports end up being hoaxes, the Sex Pistols' John Lydon, who was Up's step-father, released a statement through his website confirming Up's death.
The statement reads, John and Nora [Forster] 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.
When the Slits broke up in 1982, Ari pursued solo work, as well as music with the New Age Steppers. In 2005, she reformed the Slits and the band have been actively touring and releasing new material. Their most recent album was 2009's Trapped Animal.
Up's exact cause of death was unknown. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
UPDATE: Head to our Click Hear department for the Slits' final music video "Lazy Slam."