Last Updated on 6 days by Vijay Kumar
Marcie Free, the former lead vocalist of iconic 1980s bands King Kobra, Signal, and Unruly Child, has passed away at the age of 71, XS ROCK and Rock Candy Magazine confirmed her death.
She was a vocalist
Born Mark Edward Free on April 12, 1954, in South Bend, Indiana, Marcie began her journey in the heart of America’s rock revolution. Her voice — bold, emotional, and technically unmatched — helped define the sound of melodic hard rock in the mid-80s.
In the mid-1980s, Marcie fronted King Kobra, delivering hits like Ready to Strike (1985) and Thrill of a Lifetime (1986). Her voice became a symbol of the golden age of glam metal — a time when long hair, leather jackets, and powerful vocals ruled MTV.
Later, she joined Signal, releasing the acclaimed album Loud & Clear (1989), before founding Unruly Child, a project that allowed her to explore deeper, more emotional songwriting.
The Courage to Be Herself
In 1993, Marcie publicly came out as a trans woman, transitioning at a time when the rock industry was far less accepting. It was a decision she later described as “a choice between life and death.”
Despite the challenges, she continued to record and perform, becoming an inspiration to countless fans who admired her courage to live authentically. “I didn’t just change my name,” she once said. “I found my soul.”
She married to Laurie Richardson
Marcie Michelle Free married Laurie Richardson in 1989 but later divorced. She came out as a trans woman in 1993 after struggling with gender dysphoria and self-harm, calling her transition “a decision between life and death.” Her career declined afterward, as many in the music industry distanced themselves, leading to the temporary breakup of her band Unruly Child. Between projects, she worked as a courier in Los Angeles and later moved to Michigan to be near family. After battling alcoholism, she became sober around 2008, crediting her faith in God.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.
