Girlschool Guitarist Dies

Kelly Johnson, the original lead guitarist of British heavy metal band Girlschool, died July 15th at age 49 after battling spinal cancer for six years.

Johnson played with the band from 1978 to 1984, during which it collaborated with Motörhead under the name Headgirl for 1981’s St. Valentine’s Day Massacre EP.

She rejoined the band in 1993 but left the music business in 2000 after recording her final album with the band, 2001’s Not That Innocent: 21st Anniversary.