Girlschool Guitarist Kelly Johnson Dies

LONDON (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Kelly Johnson, the original lead guitarist of Brit metal band Girlschool died on July 15th after a six year battle with cancer of the spine. She was 49.

Originally formed by members of the group Painted Lady and underwent a number of personnel changes before the lineup gelled with Kelly on lead guitar. She also sang both lead and backup vocals and contributed her songwriting talents for the first four of the group's albums.

She left the group in 1984 to try her hand at a solo career in Los Angeles but met with only modest success. She returned to the UK in 1993 and reunited with the band, touring extensively and releasing an album. In 2000, she was forced to resign after being diagnosed with her illness. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers