Wendy O. Williams; ‘Shock-Rock’ Vocalist With Plasmatics

Wendy O. Williams, 48, Plasmatics lead singer known as “the queen of shock rock.” A native of Webster, N.Y., Williams began performing with the group in 1978 in New York City clubs. The singer faced frequent arrests for obscenity for her onstage nudity and simulated sex acts. She wore a Mohawk haircut and often appeared dressed only in shaving cream. As was typical, she stripped nude during a performance at Los Angeles’ Club Lingerie in 1987. Chain-sawing guitars, blowing up cars in television studios and her dominatrix antics were standard elements of a Plasmatics show. Despite criticism for her limited vocal range, Williams was nominated for a Grammy in 1985 in the best female rock vocal category. Among the best-known songs by Williams, who also appeared at Bogart’s in Long Beach, were “Butcher Baby,” “I Love Sex (and Rock n’ Roll)” and “Deffest and the Baddest.” On Monday in Storrs, Conn., of suicide.