Kimberly Dianne Shattuck (July 17, 1963 – October 2, 2019) was an American singer, musician, and songwriter. She was the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the American punk rock band the Muffs, which formed in 1991. From 1985 to 1990, Shattuck was a member of the Pandoras. In 2001, she was a singer, guitarist and songwriter for the Beards, a side project composed of Shattuck, Lisa Marr, and Sherri Solinger. In 2013, she was the bass player for Pixies.

Life and career

Childhood and studies

Kimberly Dianne Shattuck was born on July 17, 1963, in Long Beach, California, daughter of Kent and Betty (née Hess) Shattuck. She was raised in Orange County along with her brother, Kirk, and sister, Kristen. She sang on the NOFX song "Lori Meyers" on the album Punk in Drublic (1994), as well as on a Bowling for Soup song, "I'll Always Remember You (That Way)", which was included with the single "My Wena" (2009). She also collaborated with vocals for the Kepi Ghoulie song "This Friend of Mine" on the album American Gothic and the Dollyrots for their track "Some Girls" off the album A Little Messed Up. Shattuck is the namesake of Dr. Shattuck, a character on Mr. Show (HBO, 1995–1999).

thumb|Shattuck with [[Pixies (band)|Pixies in 2013]]

Shattuck joined the Pixies for their fall 2013 European tour, following the departure of original member Kim Deal, but was fired at the end of the tour in late November 2013. Shortly before her death, she recorded a six-song EP with Vammen and Palmyra Delran as the Coolies, which included a special appearance by Stevie Van Zandt on theremin.

Shattuck participated in several studio and live reunions of the Pandoras from 2014 to 2018. Although she originally played bass and sang backing vocals in the Pandoras, she was the lead singer and guitarist for these reunions due to the death of original Pandoras lead singer and guitarist Paula Pierce in 1991.

Illness and death

Shattuck died at her home in Los Angeles on October 2, 2019, from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, aged 56. She never publicly disclosed that she had the disease, but did state that it ran in her paternal family.

References

Further reading

  • Randall Roberts, "Singer Fronted The Muffs, At Vanguard of L.A. Pop-Punk," Los Angeles Times, vol. 138, no. 306 (October 5, 2019), p. B5
  • Kim Shattuck at Find a Grave
  • Kim Shattuck at Blogspot
  • Kim Shattuck on Flickr