Wendy Orlean Williams (May 28, 1949 – April 6, 1998), known as Wendy O. Williams, was an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She gained prominence as the lead singer of the punk rock band Plasmatics, known for stage theatrics such as near-nudity, blowing up equipment, and chain-sawing guitars. After leaving home at sixteen, she hitchhiked across the US and worked various jobs before joining the Plasmatics in 1979. The band became known in the New York City underground scene, performing at clubs like CBGB.
Williams released three albums with Plasmatics before starting a solo career, releasing WOW (1984), Kommander of Kaos (1986), and Deffest! and Baddest! (1988). She appeared in films including Reform School Girls (1986) and Pucker Up and Bark Like a Dog (1989), and on TV series such as The New Adventures of Beans Baxter and MacGyver. Known as "The Queen of Shock Rock," she was nominated for a Grammy in 1985 for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. Williams committed suicide on April 6, 1998, near her home in Storrs, Connecticut.
United States
