Marcie Free, an acclaimed metal singer and trans icon, has died. She was 71.

On Friday, Free’s longtime friend and drummer, Jay Schellen, confirmed the news of her passing. “Marcie was a marvel to behold. A voice that had no limits and no equal, a truly singular talent and one of the most open and beautiful souls I have ever known,” Schellen wrote, per Cleveland.com. “I’m gutted and can’t say much more.”

Free was born in South Bend, Indiana, in 1954. She first rose to fame more than 40 years ago as Mark Free, after connecting with former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Carmine Appice and joining his band, King Kobra. Free performed on a few of their albums in the mid-80s: Ready to Strike and Thrill of a Lifetime.

She later went on to sing in the band Signal, as well as pursue solo projects, and

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