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British Punk Icon Soo Catwoman Dies at 70, Remembered for Distinctive Style
Susan Lucas, better known by her adopted name Soo Catwoman, a striking figure and influential icon in the British punk rock and fashion scene, has died at the age of 70 after lapsing into a coma. Her passing marks the end of an era for many who remember her as a defining face of punk’s early days.
Soo Catwoman was a constant presence on the British punk scene, instantly recognizable for her shocking and unique look. She frequently appeared in photographs alongside legendary bands such as the Sex Pistols and The Damned, and her distinctive style went on to influence a generation of musicians, including The Prodigy’s Keith Flint. Reports also indicate she was once a roommate of the Sex Pistols’ Sid Vicious.
Her children, Shem and Dion Lucas, announced her death, stating that Soo “recently fell ill and was taken to hospital, and shortly after fell into a coma, which she sadly never awoke from.” She passed away on September 30, surrounded by her family and loved ones. The family expressed their profound grief, noting, “We are utterly devastated by her loss, it came very quickly and unexpectedly.”
In their statement, the family also shed light on her private nature. “Soo lived her private life in silent dignity, because of this she never sought to capitalize on her fame and lived a simple life.
Choosing to raise her children instead of seeking fame and fortune.” Due to the sudden and unexpected nature of her death, and her focus on family over personal wealth, her children have sought public assistance to help cover funeral and memorial expenses, aiming to provide her with the dignified send-off she deserves.
Tributes from Fellow Punks
Among those paying tribute was Marco Pirroni, guitarist for Adam & the Ants, who also emerged from the British punk scene. “See you later, Catgirl,” he posted, sharing a vintage photo of himself with Soo. He fondly recalled her DIY approach to fashion, watching her craft a dress and sleeve from found black fabric, accessorizing with a bootlace, needles, safety pins, and a broken razor blade.
Pirroni also offered a surprising perspective on his late friend’s musical tastes. “Soo wasn’t really a punk, she never owned a punk record, never saw the Sex Pistols, never bought anything from Sex shop and didn’t like punk music,” he wrote. He remembered her as a “soul girl” and associated her more with the Ohio Players’ “Love Rollercoaster.”
Peter Coyne, the singer of the British post-punk band The Godfathers, also commented on Pirroni’s post, recalling Soo’s musical contributions. “Marco I don’t know if you’ve heard it or not but Soo did a pretty brilliant version of The O’Jays’ ‘Backstabbers’,” he wrote, referring to a version of the song recorded with Derwood Andrews and Rat Scabies of The Damned.
On Screen Appearances
Beyond her iconic presence, Soo Catwoman also appeared in several documentaries, including The Punk Rock Movie (1978) and The Filth and the Fury (2000). Her enduring impact on the punk aesthetic also led to her portrayal in fictional works, with Faye Hart depicting her in Julien Temple’s 1980 Sex Pistols’ mockumentary The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle, and Jude Law’s daughter, Iris, playing her in the 2022 FX miniseries Pistol.