Bad news has come today (February 22) regarding Poly Styrene: the punk legend is battling breast cancer. The former X-Ray Spex singer revealed in an interview with the UK's Times newspaper on Sunday (February 20) [via Spinner] that she has been diagnosed with the disease. Much of the article reportedly deals with how the vocalist, born Marian Elliot-Said, and her daughter Celeste have been coping with the news.
"I've been diagnosed with cancer, which has been a huge shock for both of us," she told the Times. "I'm trying to fight it and I'm determined to stay positive. Celeste has done lots of research and she feels I can get better. And I need to get better for her, because I'm all the family she's got."
Styrene gained acclaim and notoriety as the spunky, braces-sporting frontwoman for X-Ray Spex back in the '70s. Her powerfully endearing, voice-cracking screams were front and centre in the band's snotty pop tunes, endearing the outfit to first generation punks and beyond.
The singer is currently readying her third solo set, Generation Indigo, for a March release. The album is said to reclaim Styrene's punk roots.
"I've been diagnosed with cancer, which has been a huge shock for both of us," she told the Times. "I'm trying to fight it and I'm determined to stay positive. Celeste has done lots of research and she feels I can get better. And I need to get better for her, because I'm all the family she's got."
Styrene gained acclaim and notoriety as the spunky, braces-sporting frontwoman for X-Ray Spex back in the '70s. Her powerfully endearing, voice-cracking screams were front and centre in the band's snotty pop tunes, endearing the outfit to first generation punks and beyond.
The singer is currently readying her third solo set, Generation Indigo, for a March release. The album is said to reclaim Styrene's punk roots.
