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Artist News Obituaries
Muffs frontwoman Kim Shattuck dies
By Andy Malt | Published on Friday 4 October 2019
Frontwoman of The Muffs, Kim Shattuck, has died, two years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease – also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She was 56.
News of Shattuck’s death was confirmed by her husband Kevin Sutherland via an Instagram post by former Muffs member, and more recently a member of The Coolies with Shattuck, Melanie Vammen.
“This morning the love of my life Kim passed peacefully in her sleep after a two year struggle with ALS”, he said. “I am the man I am today because of her. She will live with all of us through her music, our shared memories and in her fierce creative spirit. I love you always my Kimmy. Thank you for sharing your life with me”.
Shattuck and Vammen formed The Muffs in 1991, following the break up of their previous band The Pandoras. The band released four albums during the 90s, then two more during reunions in 2004 and 2014. The band released a number of popular singles, although for many they are best known for their cover of Kim Wilde’s ‘Kids In America’, which featured on the soundtrack to the movie ‘Clueless’.
Shortly before The Muffs returned once again in 2014, Shattuck had a brief stint as bassist in Pixies over the summer of 2013 – replacing original bassist Kim Deal before being unexpectedly replaced herself after just a few months.
In a statement on their Facebook page, Pixies said: “We are devastated about Kim’s passing. She was a genuine musician, writer and performer who committed her life for the cause. She brought all of her life force to her endeavours and we are fortunate for her sharing some of that life force with us”.
Despite her ill health, Shattuck continued to work until very recently. In July, The Coolies released an EP, and in August The Muffs announced plans to release a new album, ‘No Holiday’, which features songs written between 1991 and 2017 that had never made it on to other releases. As well as performing on both records, Shattuck also produced them.
In a statement on Facebook, her Muffs bandmates Ronnie Barnett and Roy McDonald said: “Besides being a brilliant songwriter, rocking guitarist and singer/screamer extraordinaire, Kim was a true force of nature. While battling ALS Kim produced our last album, overseeing every part of the record from tracking to artwork. She was our best friend and playing her songs was an honour. Goodbye Kimba. We love you more than we could ever say”.
‘No Holiday’ is set for release on 18 Oct. From it, this is ‘A Lovely Day Boo Hoo’:
