Re: R.I.P. Soo Catwoman

One of the most well-known faces of UK punk. She wasn't in a band, but was maybe the most iconic scenester in the crowd around the music. Often incorrectly assumed to have been part of the Bromley Contingent with Siouxsie & Billy Idol, etc., but was just always at the same events and inevitably ended up in photos with them.

EDIT/CORRECTION: She actually did end up in a band, the Invaders - who Jim Green describes as having "all the snap and appeal of a week-old pastry" - and sang lead on their single "Backstreet Romeo":

[www.youtube.com]

Yeah... So anyhow - she wasn't in any of the bands that were part of the scene she was famous for being part of would be more accurate.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2025 06:07AM by breno.

I had never heard of her, but when I checked in with Google, I ended up recognizing her instantly. She did serve as a cover model for more than one punk compilation album. WIkipedia describes her as "a muse to photographer Bob Gruen," so undoubtedly, more than a few photos have become available over the years ... whether by paying the appropriate usage fees or by simple appropriation, I can't say.

Well, rest in peace, Soo, and thanks. (Hey, she was a muse to a renowned photographer. I can't claim that on my CV.)

I don't know if Caroline Coon's 1988 was the very first book on punk or not, but being published in 1977 it had to be very near the front of the line. Front cover photo is Johnny Rotten, back cover is Soo Catwoman.

The Internet Archive helpfully has a copy of 1988.

[archive.org]

My family copy of that book was very well-loved. Not sure if it even still exists anymore, as it was falling apart from constant reading by 1980. But I found a cheap copy online a few years ago reasonably cheap, likely because the last couple of pages were missing, but I was still happy enough to find it. It contains the story of Nick Lowe and Rat Scabies (or maybe Captain Sensible, but I think Rat) getting into a shirt ripping brawl on a bus.

There's a pic of her on the cover of "Some Product Carri On." Ppl probably thought she must have been a member of the Pistols from that.