The L7 co-founder, singer and guitarist Donita Sparks celebrates 63 today
Known for their raw sound and feminist themes, L7 released several albums, including “Bricks Are Heavy” in 1992, which featured the hit single “Pretend We’re Dead”
The L7 co-founder, singer and guitarist Donita Sparks celebrates 63 today
Donita Sparks was born on April 8, 1963, in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood and later in Oak Lawn, in a family actively engaged in political activism. Her father nurtured her sense of rhythm, while her mother instilled in her a commitment to equal rights. After graduating high school in 1981, Sparks attended classes at the Community Film Workshop of Chicago and worked as a foot messenger before relocating to Los Angeles at the age of 19.
In Los Angeles, Sparks immersed herself in the city’s art punk scene, where she met Suzi Gardner. Together, they co-founded the punk rock band L7 in 1985. Known for their raw sound and feminist themes, L7 released several albums, including “Bricks Are Heavy” (1992), which featured the hit single “Pretend We’re Dead.” The band became notable for their energetic performances and unapologetic stance on social issues.
Beyond her work with L7, Sparks pursued solo projects, forming Donita Sparks and the Stellar Moments, and released the album “Transmiticate” in 2008. She also co-founded the nonprofit organization CASH Music to support artists in distributing their work independently. In 2014, L7 reunited and continued to perform and release new music, including the album “Scatter the Rats” in 2019
Look back at the 1992 music video for L7’s song “Pretend We’re Dead”
Images and photographs can be from different ranges of sources such as Pinterest, Tumblr etc. except when/where noted. If you are the copyright holder and would like them removed or credited, please get in touch.
