L7 bassist Jennifer Finch passed away on Saturday (July 18) at the age of 59, as announced by her family.
Her death came shortly after it was disclosed that she was battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, which prevented her from participating in the band’s farewell tour.
A GoFundMe campaign initiated to help with her medical expenses reached $200,000 within 12 hours of its launch on July 13, and had exceeded the $350,000 goal by nearly $50,000 at the time of writing.
READ MORE: Top 10 All Female Rock Bands
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our partner, sister, daughter, and friend,” the family statement expressed. “Jennifer’s influence on the music world was profound; her impact on our lives even more so.
“We are grateful for everyone’s interest and concern; thank you for all the kind wishes. We [would] appreciate some space to heal privately during this difficult time.”
L7 stated: “With heavy hearts, we announce that our beloved bandmate, friend, and fellow troublemaker Jennifer Finch has passed away today. She fought bravely against brain cancer and was cherished by many wonderful friends, musical peers, and fans worldwide. We love you, Jennifer.”
Finch began her career on guitar before transitioning to bass. She played in various punk bands – including Sugar Babydoll alongside Courtney Love – before joining L7 in 1986.
What Playing Bass Meant to Jennifer Finch
“I have been serving punk rockers, artsy types, and queers since 1984,” she told Guitar World in a 2025 interview. “I’m about the disruption of being in a band!”
She described her instrument: “To me, bass is a response; it’s not an initiation. Sometimes in life we respond and sometimes we initiate. Bass is the opportunity to respond between the rhythm, tone, and progression.”
At that time, she was still performing with L7 and aimed to continue. “[W]e still get to be examples. But also we get to fail publicly in a way that we couldn’t do in our 20s,” she reflected.
“I’m very heart-warmed when particularly women say, ‘Because of you, I got into politics,’ or, ‘I got my medical degree because of you.’”
L7’s The Last Hurrah tour is set to begin on Oct. 6 in San Diego and conclude on Nov. 14 in Los Angeles.
In Memoriam: 2026 Deaths
A look at those we’ve lost in 2026.
