’90s grunge icon Jennifer Finch diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ brain cancer

The rock world has come out in support after L7 bassist Jennifer Finch revealed she had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.

The 59-year-old shared the news this week in a joint statement with her bandmates, Suzi Gardner, Donita Sparks and Dee Plakas.

“Our beloved bandmate, sister and friend Jennifer Finch has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer,” the band announced on Instagram.

“Following multiple surgeries and serious complications, Jennifer now requires extensive medical care, rehabilitation and professional in-home support.”

They set up a crowdfunding page to help with Finch’s rising medical costs, which met its $US350,000 ($500,000) goal in a matter of days.

Plenty of her fellow rock musicians, including Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament; Adrienne Armstrong, the wife of Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong; Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna; and Tool lead singer Maynard James Keenan, were among those donating to Finch’s care.

While it was originally believed treatment, including a full course of radiation, would give Finch back “some version of normality”, unforeseen complications had led to “a string of difficult setbacks”.

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Despite her diagnosis, Finch appeared to be in good spirits from an image taken in hospital, smiling as she showed off a large surgery scar.

Finch’s friend, Aubree Miller, shared an update following the outpouring of support, singling out Courtney Love for her support in raising funds that would cover eight extra weeks of Finch’s medical costs.

“Special shout out to L7, the band and Courtney Love for their support and love. Without them this wouldn’t have been possible,” she said.

L7 are set to begin their farewell tour in October, but Finch will no longer be joining them on the road.

“The Last Hurrah Tour was planned along with Jennifer when all four of us were in good health and spirits,” they said in their statement, explaining Finch had requested they continue with the tour as planned.

Finch joined the band in 1986 and was linked to Dave Grohl, then the drummer for fellow grunge icons Nirvana, in the early ’90s.

L7 hit the mainstream with their 1992 hit Pretend We’re Dead. After a hiatus from 2001 to 2014, they reunited and have since toured around the world, including last in Australia in 2024.