Kim Shattuck, Lead Singer and Songwriter for The Muffs, Dies at 56 (https://www.thewrap.com/kim-shattuck-lead-singer-and-songwriter-for-the-muffs-dies-at-56/)
I had no idea she had been suffering from ALS the past two years. The Muffs played here two years ago about this time.
https://youtu.be/ZiRw0-4-zU8
Very sad.
https://themuse.jezebel.com/the-muffs-mastermind-kim-shattuck-who-possessed-the-gr-1838743940
NY Times article (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/arts/music/kim-shattuck-muffs-dead.html)
The Coolies release (https://thecoolieswcr.bandcamp.com) mentioned in the story. The first vinyl pressing is sold out but there's a digital download available, and 100% of profits will be donated to The ALS Association Golden West Chapter.
The details are even sadder. Just heartbreaking.
How late Muffs frontwoman Kim Shattuck made final album while secretly battling ALS: 'Nothing would stop her from doing what she loved to do' (https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/entertainment/how-late-muffs-frontwoman-kim-shattuck-made-final-album-while-secretly-battling-als-nothing-would-stop-her-from-doing-what-she-loved-to-do-173820922.html)
They played here on 8/26/17, with followup dates in Green Bay and Chicago. I couldn't make the show but friends of mine opened for them and didn't notice anything wrong. From the article, though, her symptoms had already started. :sad:
It's a cruel disease. A schoolmate of Edith and mine died of it years ago. It was heartbreaking to see how he became less and less while his young children were still growing up.
Kim Shattuck's courage was something to be greatly admired. Amazing how she was able to complete that album and also keep her illness from people. It looks like she did everything the right way and way better than most could have done.