A 90s rock icon has died just days after going public with the news she was living with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Jennifer Finch, bassist with the alt-rock band L7, has died at the age of 59, according to a statement on her social media today.
“We are devastated to announce the death of our partner, sister, daughter, and friend Jennifer Precious Finch,” reads the statement.
“Jennifer’s impact on the world of music was seismic; her impact on our lives, even moreso. We appreciate everyone’s interest and concern, thank you for all the kind messages. We appreciate some space to heal privately during this difficult time.”
It was only four days ago that Jennifer Finch publicly revealed she was fighting an aggressive form of brain cancer, with her 90s rock peers and fans rallying to support the artist who has undergone multiple surgeries to treat the disease.
Finch was due to join her bandmates on the seminal band’s The Last Hurrah farewell tour later his year.
But the multi-discipline artist, who is also known for her photography and writing, said she had been struck by “serious complications” due to her condition.
In a post launching a GoFundMe to help provide for her ongoing care, her loved ones shared that despite hope early treatment, including radiation, would be successful, the bassist has suffered a “relentless series of setbacks.”
“After her diagnosis, there was hope that treatment would give her a path back to some version of normal life,” the Instagram post stated.
“Instead, complications brought multiple surgeries and a relentless series of setbacks. Jennifer is now living with significant physical limitations and requires a level of care that love, friendship, and sheer determination cannot safely provide around the clock.
“So we’re calling in the community.”
Fellow rockers including Garbage, Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna and Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament were among the thousands of fans who have rallied to support the fundraiser which is closing in on its target to raise $350,000.
Despite the health crisis, Finch had appeared to be in good spirits in photos shared by her loved ones of the revered rocker showing off her surgery scars from her hospital bed.
Finch’s L7 bandmates – Donita Sparks, Suzi Gardner and Demetra Plakas – said Finch had urged them to continue with the Last Hurrah tour, their final performances in the US, which kicks off in October.
“The Last Hurrah tour was planned along with Jennifer when all four of us were in good health and spirits,” the band shared on their social channels.
“Although she will not be able to join us for the upcoming US dates, Jennifer has asked us to continue with the tour as planned.
“We will honor her request while making her care and well-being our immediate priority.”
They added: “Jennifer is part of our family. We love her, and we want her to feel the full strength of the community that has loved and supported her for so many years.”
They later shared Finch had been buoyed by the outpouring of love and support from fans around the world and was “really enjoying” the messages being read to her.
L7, who last toured Australia with the Good Things festival in 2024, were at the vanguard of the grunge and riot grrrl movement in the 90s alongside bands including Nirvana and Bikini Kill.
They crossed into the mainstream charts with the 1992 hit “Pretend We’re Dead” but by 2001, their chart fortunes waned and the band declared they were on an “indefinite hiatus.”
L7 reunited in 2014 and regularly toured ever since, playing both their own shows and joining festival line-ups throughout the UK, Europe, the US and Australia.
