Teresa Taylor, the former Butthole Surfers drummer, has died, aged 60.
The musician, who was known by her stage name Teresa Nervosa, had been living with lung disease and was placed in hospice care last year. Writing on social media, Butthole Surfers said: "Teresa Taylor passed away peacefully this weekend. She will live in our hearts forever. RIP, dear friend.
Taylor was born in Arlington, Texas, in 1962. She took up the drums while in high school having played in various marching bands as a child alongside fellow Butthole Surfers drummer King Coffey.
Taylor joined the band in 1983 after initially letting the other members practice in a warehouse space that she was renting around that time. She continued to play with the band through much of the rest of the ’80s, appearing on records such as Psychic… Powerless… Another Man’s Sac, Cream Corn From The Socket Of Davis, Rembrandt Pussyhorse, Locust Abortion Technician and Hairway To Steven.
Taylor left the band in 1989 after beginning to suffer with light-induced seizures. She was ultimately diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, and underwent successful brain surgery in 1993. Following her recovery, she returned to performing and joined Coffey’s band Rubble.
The musician was also known for her cameo in Richard Linklater’s 1991 film Slacker, in which she played the part of a woman attempting to sell what she claimed to be Madonna’s pap smear to people the street. In a statement shared with Rolling Stone, Linklater said: "Teresa was a badass drummer and totally unique character. Smart, funny, energetic – she meant so much to all who knew her. One of the greats."
