The Slits’ Ari Up Dies Aged 48


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Arianna Forster, better known as Ari Up, frontwoman of influential punk pioneers The Slits, passed away yesterday at the age of 48, her mother Nora’s husband John Lydon has announced.

The former Sex Pistols man announced the sad news on his website, confirming her death after a ‘serious illness’. “John and Nora have asked us to let everyone know that Nora’s daughter Arianna (aka Ari-Up) died today (October 20) after a serious illness,” said the posting on JohnLydon.com. “She will be sadly missed. Everyone at JohnLydon.com and PiLofficial.com would like to pass on their heartfelt condolences to John, Nora and family. Rest in Peace.”

Born in Germany on New Year’s Day 1962, Forster was just fourteen years of age when she formed The Slits at the height of punk in 1976. They released their debut album, ‘Cut‘, three years later. The band became hugely experimental during the course of their final two studio albums, ‘The Slits‘ and ‘Return Of The Giant Slits‘ before they broke up in 1982.

Ari Up and Tessa Pollitt reformed the group with new members in 2005, after which they released a new EP in 2006.


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