In a heartfelt tribute shared with Rolling Stone, Courtney Love has reflected on the profound friendship she shared with Jennifer Finch, bassist of the influential band L7, who sadly passed away on July 19 at the age of 59 after a battle with brain cancer. Their bond, which began in 1983, weathered the storms of personal and professional upheavals over more than four decades.
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Love and Finch first crossed paths in Los Angeles before the inception of Hole and L7. Their companionship flourished amidst the turbulence of the music industry, burgeoning fame, and the complexities of life as female rock stars. Love was a fledgling musician at the time, having just hitchhiked from San Francisco, while Finch was carving her own path in the music scene. According to Love, Finch provided a sense of security and belonging when it was most desperately needed.
“I hitchhiked to Hollywood from San Francisco in 1983. I wanted to go to Hollywood more than anything,” Love recounted. “I met Jennifer at her father’s home. I’m a feral person… She had all that, and she covered for me.” Finch reportedly offered Love shelter, a place to stay, and a musical refuge filled with records, marking the beginning of a vital friendship.
Their shared passion for music quickly forged a deep connection, with hours devoted to listening to and learning songs together. Finch not only influenced Love’s early music career but also played a pivotal role in introducing her to key figures in the industry. The bonds they formed over music were integral, with Finch even encouraging the formation of crucial musical partnerships, such as the recruitment of Pat Smear into Nirvana, a band led by Love’s late husband, Kurt Cobain.
Finch’s return to the spotlight came in 1986 when she officially joined L7, helping to establish the band as a cornerstone of the Los Angeles punk and alternative rock scene. She was celebrated not just for her musical contributions but also for her inspiring journey through sobriety, having been clean for 37 years at the time of her death.
Finch’s unwavering loyalty was a trait Love cherished, particularly after Cobain’s tragic passing in 1994. Love described Finch as a steadfast protector during this tumultuous time, remembering the way she watched over the household in Seattle, safeguarding Love from unwanted intrusions by those seeking to exploit the situation. “Jennifer was the general in Seattle,” Love recalled. “She guarded my door like an armed soldier…She got me through that horrible month and didn’t leave my side.”
As fate would have it, Love soon found herself in the role of protector when Finch was diagnosed with brain cancer. In the weeks leading to Finch’s passing, Love provided care and support, ensuring that her friend experienced comfort during her final days. Love described a scene filled with friends and family gathered to pay their respects, with more than 100 individuals vying for a chance to support Finch in her last moments.
“I saw terror and entrapment drowning in her eyes,” Love expressed. “More than 100 people were fighting to get in, arguing that they were on the list as if it were a club…She had more than 100 passionate friends who would hock their houses for her.” The gathering, described by Love as both heartbreaking and chaotic, echoed the vibrant life Finch had led—a fitting farewell for someone who made such a striking impact on those around her.
Describing Finch as “10,000 levels of funny,” Love highlighted her larger-than-life spirit, which resonated with everyone who encountered her. “She could not have written her chaotic ending better herself,” Love remarked, illustrating the joy and laughter Finch brought to her relationships, even in her final moments.
With the loss of Jennifer Finch, the music world has lost a fiercely creative force whose spirit transcended the stage. Love’s tribute offers a glimpse into a friendship that defied the odds, enriched by music, mutual support, and an enduring connection that will not be easily forgotten.