Influential metal vocalist Marcie Free has died at the age of 71.
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Free was known for her powerful vocals, which influenced melodic rockers throughout the 1980s and 90s. Her death was confirmed on Friday by Jay Schellen, her friend and bandmate in the '90s group Unruly Child. The cause of death has not been shared publicly.
"Marcie was a marvel to behold," he wrote on Facebook. "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. I'm gutted and can't say much more.
"To my bandmates, Bruce, Guy, Larry, I love you guys, love to you too Marcie, you always were an Angel, now you have your wings."
Free Began in the 1980s With King Kobra
Free joined King Kobra in the early 1980s after being selected by drummer Carmine Appice, who was seeking a vocalist with a wide range for the band's glam metal style. Back then, she was known as Mark Free. The singer not only checked Appice's boxes but also contributed significantly to shaping the group's identity.
King Kobra quickly became a cult favorite, with critics singling out Free's vocals on hits like "Hunger." The song was later covered by Spectre General for the soundtrack to the animated classic Transformers: The Movie in 1986. The song "Iron Eagle (Never Say Die)" appeared in the film Iron Eagle.
Following her time with King Kobra, Free joined the band Signal. It released the album Loud and Clear in 1989, and Free then became the vocalist for Unruly Child in 1991.
Mark Becomes Marcie Free
Unruly Child formed with Free and the guitarist Bruce Gowdy, keyboardist Guy Allison, bassist Larry Antonion, and Schellen on drums. Its 1992 self-titled debut album quickly put them on the map, and is considered a sterling example of melodic hard rock with hits like "Take Me Down Nasty" and "On the Rise."
In 1993, Free came out as transgender and transitioned to Marcie Free. After a brief hiatus, she rejoined Unruly Child for later albums: Worlds Collide (2010), Down the Rabbit Hole (2014), and Our Glass House (2020).
Free will be remembered for her skills behind the mic and the courage to be herself.
Photo by Kevin Nixon/Classic Rock Magazine/Future Publishing via Getty Images
