Vixen founder loses cancer battle at 51

[Codex]

Vixen guitarist Jan Kuehnemund has lost her cancer battle at the age of 51.

The girl group founder and lead guitarist passed away on Thursday, according to the band's official Facebook page.

Bing: More on Jan Kuehnemund

The Minnesota native formed Vixen in high school and moved the band to Los Angeles in the mid-1980s, later signing to EMI and releasing a self-titled debut album in 1988.

Vixen also hit the singles charts with "Cryin'" and "Edge of a Broken Heart," and the bandmates appeared in director Penelope Spheeris' film "The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years."

Regulars on MTV, the group followed up their debut album with "Rev It Up" in 1990.

Kuehnemund briefly reunited the band's classic line-up for VH1's "Bands Reunited" in 2004.

http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=832976

[Hellbat]

I was never really in to Vixen, but I will give them props for having a go in a non-gal friendly industry.

Rip.

[kuerbo]

It's a sad day. She went fighting though. RIP.

[leftykingv2]

That sucks! She was a definite hottie and not a bad player as well.

[Dog Boy]

RIP...too young to go.

[ulijdavid]

Not a fan, but definitely sad. Also, not being much younger than her I am starting to see a lot of the 80's stars that I followed getting up there in age and facing health problems - still can't believe I will never hear anything new from Gary Moore or any more new amps from Cygnus. RIP to another musician that impacted the eighties scene.

[straycat]

I actually loved Vixen and on their fan list and FB page.
Its a sad thing to lose Jan.

[eakinj]

I've had a crush on her for years. that sucks

[daisp]

Bummer, they had great harmonies..RIP

[BLOOD SPLATTER]

Sux....RIP!!

[Sephiroth]

Didn't care for their pop approach to what was called "metal" but she seemed like a decent person nonetheless.

Sorry to hear of her passing

[jdr94]

rip jan

[ALZ]

r.i.p jan , i always loved them , heres my fav video , see ya , alz / 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=mQOmDUnt8Hs