Rock singer and trans icon, dies at 71

The rock world is mourning the loss of a true original.

Marcie Free — the powerhouse vocalist behind King Kobra, Signal, and Unruly Child — has died at the age of 71.

A marvel to behold
Her death was confirmed on Friday by longtime friend and drummer Jay Schellen, who performed with Free in Unruly Child. A cause of death has not been made public.

“Marcie was a marvel to behold. A voice that had no limits and no equal, a truly singular talent and one of the most open and beautiful souls I have ever known,” Schellen wrote in a heartbreaking Facebook post. “I’m gutted and can’t say much more.”

Schellen went on to say, “This is heartbreaking. Bruce, Guy, Larry all of which I hold dear as family are shattered for the loss of our Marcie. We began UC together in 1992 and continued our friendship and music making throughout these years to this day. Marcie was always an Angel — now you have your wings.”

A voice like no other
Born Mark Edward Free in South Bend, Indiana, in 1954, Marcie’s career began when she was just 19. After moving from Michigan to Las Vegas, and eventually Los Angeles, she found her footing in the world of rock.

Everything changed in 1983 when she met drummer Carmine Appice, who had recently parted ways with Ozzy Osbourne. Together, they formed King Kobra, signing with Capitol Records a year later. With albums like Ready to Strike (1985) and Thrill of a Lifetime (1986), Free’s soaring vocals and unrelenting range made her one of the most distinctive voices in melodic rock.

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