OFF: Wendy O. Williams, Dead by Suicide

[John A Swartz]

This was posted to a USENET group today.  Former lead-singer of the
Plasmatics, Wendy O. Williams, has apparently committed suicide.  One of
her bandmates, Richie Stotts once played in a band called King's Flux
with tBS guitarist Billy Hilfiger, and Albert also played on a few of
tracks with Richie.  Also, former temporary BOC bassist Greg Smith also
worked with the Plasmatics.


Wendy O. Williams, lead  singer of Plasmatics, dies

 April 8, 1998
Web posted at: 1:12 a.m. EDT (0512 GMT)

 STORRS, Conn. (AP) -- Wendy O.
 Williams, whose stage theatrics as  lead singer of the punk band The
Plasmatics included blowing up equipment and chain-sawing guitars, has
committed suicide. She was 48.

Williams' former manager and longtime companion Rod Swenson said he
discovered her body Monday in a wooded area near their home. The state
medical examiner said Williams died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Swenson said Williams had been despondent for some time.

Williams, dubbed the "queen of shock rock," sported a trademark Mohawk
haircut and was nominated in 1985 for a Grammy in the best Female Rock
Vocal category during the height of the band's popularity.

A native of Webster, N.Y., Williams with her on-stage antics quickly
attracted a following for the Plasmatics, who debuted in New York City
clubs in 1978.

 Police in Milwaukee arrested Williams and Swenson in 1981 after she
allegedly simulated a sex act in concert at a nightclub. Charges of
battery to an officer and obscene conduct against Williams were later
dropped and a jury cleared Swenson of obstructing an officer.

She was acquitted in April 1981 of an obscenity charge in Cleveland
filed for performing covered only with shaving cream and simulating
sexual activity.

In November of that year, she was sentenced to one year supervision
and
fined $35 by an Illinois judge for beating a free-lance photographer
who
tried to take her picture while she was jogging along the Chicago
lakefront.

The band made several international tours, was once banned in London,
and appeared on Tom Snyder's "Tomorrow" show, where they blew up a car
in the studio.

Swenson said he and Williams moved to Storrs in 1991, three years
after
the group's last tour. She had not performed for several years and had
worked most recently as an animal rehabilitator, he said.

She is survived by her mother and two sisters.