**Marcie Free, trailblazing rock singer and trans pioneer, dies at 71**
The music world is mourning the loss of a true legend.
Marcie Free — the powerful voice behind *King Kobra*, *Signal*, and *Unruly Child* — has passed away at 71.
**A remarkable talent**
Her passing was confirmed Friday by longtime friend and *Unruly Child* drummer Jay Schellen, who did not disclose the cause of death.
“Marcie was a marvel to behold — a voice without boundaries, a one-of-a-kind talent, and one of the most genuine and beautiful souls I’ve ever met,” Schellen shared in a heartfelt Facebook post. “I’m devastated.”
He added, “This loss is crushing. Bruce, Guy, Larry — all of us who’ve shared this journey with Marcie — are broken. We started *Unruly Child* in 1992 and stayed close through all these years. Marcie was always an angel — now she truly has her wings.”
**A voice that defined an era**
Born Mark Edward Free in South Bend, Indiana, in 1954, Marcie began her music career at 19. After moving from Michigan to Las Vegas and later Los Angeles, she immersed herself in the rock scene.
Her big break came in 1983 when she met drummer Carmine Appice, fresh from touring with Ozzy Osbourne. Together, they formed *King Kobra* and signed with Capitol Records. With albums like *Ready to Strike* (1985) and *Thrill of a Lifetime* (1986), Free’s incredible vocal power and range made her one of the defining voices of melodic rock.
In 1987, she joined *Signal*, a short-lived but beloved project whose album *Loud and Clear* became a cult favorite among AOR fans.
By 1990, she had found her creative home in *Unruly Child* with guitarist Bruce Gowdy and keyboardist Guy Allison. Their 1992 debut album solidified her place as one of rock’s most emotive and technically gifted vocalists.
**A courageous transformation**
After *Unruly Child*’s debut, Free made a deeply personal and life-altering decision — in 1993, she came out publicly as transgender, becoming Marcie Michelle Free.
Her coming out, while liberating, came with a heavy price. “My whole musical world collapsed,” she once said, recalling how much of the industry turned its back on her. But for Marcie, it was a matter of survival: “It was life or death. If I hadn’t transitioned, I wouldn’t be here.”
She stepped away from music in the mid-1990s, returning to Michigan to live a quiet life close to family. During that time, she battled alcoholism but later achieved sobriety, crediting her faith and “close relationship with God” for helping her heal.
**A triumphant return**
In 2009, Marcie reunited with her *Unruly Child* bandmates to make music again. They went on to release multiple albums — including *Worlds Collide* (2010) and *Down the Rabbit Hole* (2014) — proving that her passion and voice were as powerful as ever.
Fans never forgot her. To them, she wasn’t just a singer but a symbol of resilience and authenticity. Her journey — from the glam-metal days of the ’80s to her brave transition and comeback — turned her into a quiet icon of strength and truth.
Tributes have poured in across social media. “One of my favorite singers of all time. What a terrible loss,” one fan wrote. Another said, “She shaped who I am as a vocalist. A beautiful soul, gone too soon.”
Music journalist Andrew McNeice wrote, “Heartbroken. Marcie Free — the voice of AOR — has left us. The kind of news you dread hearing. RIP, my friend.”
**An everlasting influence**
Marcie often credited Aretha Franklin as her greatest musical inspiration. Her own voice — passionate, soulful, and fearless — blended rock power with emotional depth few could match.
Jay Schellen’s words capture it best: “Marcie was a marvel to behold.”
Her legacy will live on — a reminder that true artistry knows no boundaries, and that courage can be as inspiring as talent.
Rest in peace, Marcie Free — a voice that will never fade, and a spirit that will never be forgotten.