Ari Up 17th January 1962 – 20th October 2010

I was lucky enough to see the reformed Slits play a gig at The Rainbow just over a year ago. Their lead singer and driving force, the legendary Ari Up, was the most energetic person in the room, bouncing around and pouring bottles of water all over her...ahem...pum pum. Now, almost exactly 12 months to the day since that gig, she’s gone...taken by the big C.

Of course 48 is no age to shuffle of this mortal coil but I’m a big believer in the quality of life rather than the quantity and Ari seems to have packed in more than most. If there’s anything in the hereafter she’ll no doubt be sparking up a phat one right now.