Jennifer Finch family: All on parents, partner, brother as L7 bassist dies at 59

Jennifer Precious Finch was adopted in 1967 by aeronautics engineer Robert Edward Finch and Sandra Jacobson.

Jennifer Finch, the bassist who helped define the sound of feminist punk band L7, has died at the age of 59 after battling an aggressive form of brain cancer. The band confirmed her death on Saturday in an Instagram post.

Jennifer Finch, the bassist who helped define the sound of feminist punk band L7, has died at the age of 59 after battling an aggressive form of brain cancer. (Jennifer Finch | Instagram)

The post read, “We are devastated to announce the death of our partner, sister, daughter, and friend Jennifer Precious Finch. Jennifer’s impact on the world of music was seismic; her impact on our lives, even moreso. We appreciate everyone’s interest and concern, thank you for all the kind messages. We appreciate some space to heal privately during this difficult time.”

Jennifer Precious Finch was born on August 5, 1966, at the Salvation Army Home for Unwed Mothers. She was adopted in 1967 by aeronautics engineer Robert Edward Finch and Sandra Jacobson. She grew up in Los Angeles after her adoptive parents later divorced. Her adoptive father, Robert, received custody in the battle.

A look at her Jennifer Finch's early life and family

Finch had revealed earlier this month that she was undergoing treatment for brain cancer. Complications led to multiple surgeries and severe physical limitations. She stepped away from L7's upcoming US tour, urging the band to continue performing without her.

Her father played a defining role in encouraging her artistic interests. He supported her photography and music, buying her guitar lessons and Ramones concert tickets when she was still a child.

Finch later adopted the middle name "Precious" in memory of her father after he died in 1995 because it had been his nickname for her.

Publicly available information indicates Finch kept much of her private life away from the spotlight. She did not frequently discuss romantic relationships or immediate family members during her later career.

Friends and relatives previously started a GoFundMe to help pay for Finch's medical care and recuperation as well as to fund the creation of an archive of her work.

Punk pioneer who helped shape L7's legacy

Finch discovered punk music as a child after a neighbourhood teenager introduced her to bands including The Ramones, Blondie and The Clash.

After briefly attending San Francisco State University, Finch left college to join L7 in the mid-1980s. The band signed first with Epitaph Records before moving to Sub Pop. It became one of the defining acts of the grunge and punk era.

During the early 1990s, Finch toured alongside Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins and Beastie Boys. L7 also performed at Glastonbury, Reading Festival, Lollapalooza and the inaugural Warped Tour.

Finch also helped launch Rock for Choice, a concert series that supported reproductive rights.

She left L7 in 1996 after becoming sober and grieving her father's death. She later formed OtherStarPeople and The Shocker, launched Little Pusher Records and continued working as a photographer. Finch reunited with L7 in 2015 and appeared on the band's 2019 album Scatter the Rats.