The loss of Ari-Up of the Slits is devastating not only for those like me who got to frolic and skank with her for three decades plus, but for music. A genuinely original free spirit, Arri at 14 showed us how to be a punk. In many ways, she was the soul of the movement, specially the Punky Reggae Party people. An incredible songwriter, lyricist, style innovator and a conscious hurricane onstage.
The footage of me singing Dennis Brown's Revolution onstage with Ari and the Slits in Williamsburg four years ago (approx!) is here on the site -- thanks to Joly of punkcast.com for shooting it. I've also added a shot by Janette Beckman of when Ari came in to my punk class at NYU, five years ago. I look pretty different now, thinner and with red hair -- but Arri just kept looking like this, amazingly lithe and limber throughout her life's journey... Actually, this shot was staged for a story, hence the lack of students! But she enthralled those we coralled for the pic. I LIVICATED my last Punk class to her... so many students were excited about her, and clearly felt the loss of an inspirational punk icon.
Miss you, sister.
I was privileged to honour her in quote form in the New York Times and Daily Telegraph UK
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/22/arts/music/22ariup.html?src=twrhp
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/music-obituaries/8081556/Ari-Up.html
....and to talk about her on BBC Radio's Woman's Hour (this link doesn't last forever so contact me if you really want to hear it and it's vanished...)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00vcqw5#p00br0mg
As one mutual sistr'en observed -- Life's going to be much more boring now.
