Ari Up

Ariane Daniele Forster (17 January 1962 – 20 October 2010), known as Ari Up, was a German vocalist best known for being a member of the English punk rock band the Slits. Born in Munich, West Germany, her parents were involved in the music industry; her father was schlager singer Frank Forster, and her mother, Nora Forster, was a friend of Jimi Hendrix. Her godfathers included singer Udo Jürgens and Jon Anderson of Yes.

Nora Forster married Sex Pistols' lead singer John Lydon in 1979, creating a punk-influenced home environment that led Ari to experiment with music, learning guitar from Joe Strummer of the Clash. In 1976, at age 14, Ari Up formed the Slits with drummer Palmolive. They later toured with the Clash and incorporated a dub style into their music.

After the Slits disbanded in 1981, Ari Up moved with her family to various countries before settling in Jamaica. She continued making music with the New Age Steppers and as a solo artist under different stage names. In 2000, Lydon and Nora Forster became guardians of her teenage twin boys. Ari Up released her solo album, Dread More Dan Dead, in 2005, and collaborated with Lee "Scratch" Perry and Mark Stewart in 2008.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, Ari Up refused chemotherapy and continued performing until her death on 20 October 2010 in Los Angeles, aged 48. A tribute concert was held in Brooklyn in January 2011, featuring former members of the Slits and other musicians.