My mum Poly Styrene, a punk icon
Poly Styrene brought her distinctive voice and neon outfits to the 1970s punk scene. But fame was difficult to deal with. Celeste Bell tells her mum’s story.
Celeste Bell's mother Poly Styrene was a punk icon who'd made her mark on music history before Celeste was even born. Her distinctive voice, neon outfits and mixed race heritage made her stand out in a punk scene that was dominated by white men, clad in dark colours and studs. Celeste tells Anu Anand about Poly Styrene's rise to fame with her band X-Ray Spex, why it all fell apart and what it was like to sing with her onstage before she died in 2011. Celeste has made a film about her mum called I am a Cliche.
Get in touch: [email protected]
Presenter: Anu Anand
Producer: Deiniol Buxton
(Photo: Poly Styrene of punk band X-Ray Spex performs on stage at the Roundhouse, London, England, on January 15th, 1978. Credit: Gus Stewart/ Redferns/ Getty Images)
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The Outlook Podcast Archive
True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives
