Jennifer Precious Finch, the influential bassist for the 90s alternative rock band L7, has died at the age of 59. The announcement came via a statement on her social media, just four days after Finch publicly revealed she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. She had undergone multiple surgeries to treat the disease.
Finch was known for her seismic impact on the music world and was a key figure in the grunge and riot grrrl movements of the 1990s, alongside bands like Nirvana and Bikini Kill. L7 achieved mainstream success with their 1992 hit "Pretend We're Dead." The band, which also included Donita Sparks, Suzi Gardner, and Demetra Plakas, announced an indefinite hiatus in 2001 before reuniting in 2014 and continuing to tour.
Prior to her death, Finch had been preparing to join her bandmates on L7's "The Last Hurrah" farewell tour, scheduled to begin in October. Despite her health crisis, Finch had reportedly urged her bandmates to proceed with the tour as planned. "Jennifer has asked us to continue with the tour as planned," the band stated on social media. "We will honor her request while making her care and well-being our immediate priority."
Her loved ones had launched a GoFundMe to assist with her ongoing medical care, noting that "complications brought multiple surgeries and a relentless series of setbacks." The fundraiser aimed to gather $350,000 to provide for her extensive care needs. Fellow musicians, including members of Garbage, Bikini Kill, and Pearl Jam, were among those who contributed to the effort.
Finch was also recognized for her work beyond music, including photography and writing. Her family shared that she had been buoyed by the outpouring of support from fans worldwide, finding enjoyment in messages being read to her during her illness.