Her ethereal, soothing voice provided a soft cushion to her husband’s stormy output and the wild noise of the grunge era from which their band was born. For 30 years, she co-anchored her one of Minnesota’s most famous rock groups.
Currently, internationally renowned Duluth rock trio Raw’s Mimi Parker has gone silent due to cancer.
News of her death at the age of 55 was announced on Sunday via Lowe’s Twitter feed.
“Friends, it’s hard to translate the universe into words and short messages, but she passed away last night surrounded by love and family, including you.” post read. “Keep her name close and sacred. Share this moment with someone who needs you. Love is certainly the most important thing.”
Low’s drummer and co-vocalist Parker was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 2020.
She is survived by her daughter Hollis and son Cyrus (both in college) and bandmate and husband Alan Spurhawk, whom she met in elementary school in the small northern Minnesota town of Clearbrook, Minnesota.
Although practicing Mormons, their faith was often played out in song lyrics alluding to end times, morality, and communal love.The two formed Low in 1993 with a string of different bass players. Shortly after the band formed, they began their rock and roll touring life.
They released 13 studio albums in 30 years. The latest of those records, “Hey What,” is one of many records that have received widespread critical acclaim, including a high on Rolling Stone’s list of his 50 Best Albums of 2021. is.
Parker largely hid the news of her diagnosis until an interview with syndicated public radio show Sheroes in 2021. Parker was forced to cancel tour dates this August. .
Some of the canceled concerts date back to the opening of Death Cab for Cutie’s tour in the US, an enthusiastic support of influential British DJ John Peel, and a tour date with Radiohead. It included many major dates in Europe that could be.
Sad reactions to Parker’s death were already piling up on social media at noon Sunday, with many fellow musicians and fans celebrating her long music career and low-key but positive and steady personality.
“Thank you for all your beautiful music,” tweeted Dan Wilson of Semisonic fame.
Fellow Duluth musician Guerin Lee posted, “Mimi’s legacy is love and beauty, and the world is a better place because of her.”
Low’s longtime label, Sub Pop Records, the famed Seattle label originally behind Nirvana, tweeted in response to the news.
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