ARI UP, lead singer with legendary Punk band The Slits, has died after a “serious illness”, aged 48.


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Up, real name Arianna Forster, formed The Slits in 1976 when just 14 years old. The all-woman band scored a chart hit with their debut album, Cut, in 1979.

The news of Up’s death was confirmed on the website of Sex Pistol’s frontman Johny Lydon, who is married to Nora Forster, Up’s mother.

“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,” read the post on JohnLydon.com.

“She will be sadly missed.”

The Slits manager Jeff Jacquin said:

“She influenced generations of women and created some of the most memorable music of our time, but Ari’s true magic was how she affected people on the street, face to face, every day.”

“She ate life up and spit it out.”