Poly Styrene and the X-ray Spex have only made two albums to date.
The first, Germfree Adolescents, released in 1978, would be the only album
they would produce for almost two decades.
This album saw X-ray Spex emerge as a commercially viable punk band.
They had cute catchy songs and enough wild edge to earn them respect from the scene.
Poly Styrene especially found herself at the centre of much media attention and speculation.
In a short time span Poly Styrene went from tear­away teen to pop-sensation,
the journey may have been exciting yet overwhelming.
Perhaps this may help explain why in a space of just three years
Poly Styrene had yet again created a new alter ego for herself,
abandoning Poly Styrene and fame for a life of eastern spirituality and seclusion.

Poly’s spiritual journey did not take her away from music completely.
In fact, Poly Styrene made a solo album during this period the nu jazz/electro ‘Translucence’,
and the eastern inspired EP ‘Gods and Goddesses’. She remains adamant however
that despite media rumour that she had abandoned her career to join the Hare Krishna movement,
it was in fact the negative actions on behalf of her manager, the late Falcon Stuart
that caused the breakdown of not only her band, but also of her health.

Falcon Stuart was to become well known on the scene
after his success with X-ray Spex, later going on to manage Adam and the Ants and Amazulu.
Poly’s relationship with Falcon Stuart was a complex one and
today she is reluctant to acknowledge the contribution made
on behalf of Mr Stuart to her bands success.
Instead she is quick to point out that he had cheated her out of her royalties for years
after the band had split.

“My biggest downfall was the trust and faith I put in my manager
to oversee my financial affairs.
It resulted in me being seriously ripped off,
and I ended up locked in a legal battle that would go on for six years.
I can’t even begin to tell you the effect this had on my health and happiness”.

In the mid-nineties X-ray Spex would briefly reform for their second and,
so far, final album, ‘Conscious Consumer’.
This album coincided with a concert in London’s Brixton Academy,
where Poly Styrene was resurrected, (if only for a short time) in all her glory.
Although the concert was a success and Poly happy with her new album,
the touring and promotional work suffered an abrupt end when she was run over
by a fire engine in central London. Yes! That’s right! A fire engine!
Luckily Poly escaped with only a fractured pelvis,
but her injuries were severe enough to put the brakes on the promotion of her new album.

Today Poly remains committed, to not only, Bhakti Yoga, but also her music.
“I love the challenge of pushing boundaries in music”.

There is no doubt that whether as Poly Styrene or Marianne Elliott-Said,
she will continue to make music and push boundaries, both in art, and,
in her very unique, life.

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