Singer Julee Cruise, whose angelic vocals were a vital part of cementing the legacy of the cult classic television series “Twin Peaks,” has passed away at the age of 65.
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Cruise’s husband, Edward Grinnan, delivered the news of her passing via Facebook on Thursday night in a group dedicated to the legendary New Wave heroes, The B-52’s. Grinnan revealed in his post Cruise had filled in on stage for B-52’s member Cindy Wilson while she had taken a hiatus to focus on raising her family.
Inside Grinnan’s Tribute To His Wife
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Grinnan wrote in his tribute, “For those of you who go back I thought you’d like to know I said goodbye to my wife, Julee Cruise, today. She left this realm on her own terms. No regrets. She is at peace. Having had such a varied music career she often said that the time she spent as a B [-52] filling in for Cindy while having a family was the happiest time of her performing life. She will forever be grateful to them…”
Grinnan went on to showcase how important the B-52’s were to his wife, also revealing he had played the band’s hit song, 1989’s “Roam,” to Cruise as she crossed over.
“When she first stepped up to the mic with Fred [Schneider], and Kate [Pierson],” he continued, “she said it was like joining the Beatles. She will love them always and never forget their travels together around the world. I played her “Roam” during her transition. Now she will roam forever. Rest in peace, my love, and love to you all.”
Cruise Had Previously Been Diagnosed With Lupus
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The cause of Cruise’s death has not been revealed as of this writing.
According to TV Insider, Cruise had been struggling with Lupus for the last few years, and publicly revealed her diagnosis had left her “suffering,” sharing in a Facebook post at the time, “The pain is so bad I cry and snap at people.”
‘Rockin’ Back Inside Our Hearts’: Looking Back At Cruise’s Influence
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Cruise’s vocals had made quite the impression on the series’ showrunner and critically acclaimed director David Lynch in the mid-Eighties.
Her voice can be heard in two of Lynch’s most memorable films, “Blue Velvet,” starring future “Twin Peaks” star Kyle MacLachlan, and “Wild At Heart,” starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern.
Audiences would soon have plenty of opportunities to hear Cruise’s music when “Twin Peaks” premiered in 1990. The cult classic television show broke new ground for its poignant story of a small town coming to terms with the death of one of the town’s most popular residents, Laura Palmer. Lynch’s signature style of incorporating dark and sometimes downright bizarre imagery and storylines helped the series catch the attention of viewers and critics.
According to Variety, the publication was initially doubtful of “Twin Peaks” ever gaining any traction before the show even premiered! The publication wrote at the time, “The series represents a ratings risk: It has no big names, no car chases, no glitz, no overt s*x or violence. What it does have is an offbeat intelligence at work on a very American type of story- murder in a small town.”
Cruise would provide “Falling,” for the show. The instrumental version of the song would serve as “Twin Peaks” theme song.
She would also appear on-screen multiple times over the series’ two seasons- the third season would premiere in 2017- frequently performing at the beloved local watering hole in the town of Twin Peaks, “The Bang Bang Bar,” or what was more commonly known as The Roadhouse.
