Jennifer Finch’s death has come as a great loss to the punk rock world.
The iconic bassist, a notable figure of the 90s rock boom, died aged 59 on Saturday 18 July – just days after it was revealed she had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Leading the tribute was the American rock band L7, known for their raw, politically charged sound.
“Jennifer was a true original who lived life entirely on her own terms, and the influence she had on music, art and everyone lucky enough to know her cannot be measured,” the band wrote in a statement via Billboard. “We love her beyond words and will always carry her with us. Rest in power our dear friend.”
In an Instagram tribute, the band called Finch their “beloved bandmate, friend and fellow troublemaker.”
Just six days earlier, the group – made up of Suzi Gardner, Donita Sparks and Dee Plakas – revealed that Finch will miss their upcoming farewell tour due to “unforeseen complications” from her brain cancer diagnosis.
Before joining L7 in 1986, Finch played bass in the San Francisco-based band Sugar Babydoll, consisting of Courtney Love and Kat Bjelland. Love paid tribute to Finch with a simple photo.
Finch officially left L7 in 1996, but the group reunited in 2014, with their latest album, Scatter the Rats, released in 2019. In May of this year, L7 announced dates for the first leg of their final tour, The last hurrah 2026which starts in October.
In her personal life, Finch dated Nirvana’s Dave Grohl and later Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins. She was married to actor, musician and racing driver Chris Pedersen from 2000 to 2007.
In addition to music, Finch was also an accomplished photographer, writer and visual artist.
