On this day, 5 years ago, Genesis P. Orridge passed away at the age of 70...
On this day, 5 years ago Genesis P-Orridge (1950–2020) – Artist, Musician, and Cultural Provocateur passed away in New York City after being diagnosed with Chronic Leukemia in 2017.
Genesis Breyer P-Orridge (born Neil Andrew Megson on February 22, 1950) was a groundbreaking English artist, musician, writer, and occultist. As a pioneering figure in industrial and avant-garde music, P-Orridge left an indelible mark on experimental sound and transgressive art.
P-Orridge first gained recognition in the late 1960s as a member of the performance art collective COUM Transmissions, which pushed boundaries of social and artistic norms. COUM's provocative work led to the formation of Throbbing Gristle in 1975, a band widely credited with founding the industrial music genre. With its aggressive soundscapes, confrontational themes, and radical anti-establishment stance, Throbbing Gristle influenced countless artists in electronic, noise, and experimental music.
Following Throbbing Gristle’s initial disbandment in 1981, P-Orridge formed Psychic TV, a multimedia project blending psychedelic, electronic, and industrial elements. Psychic TV became a central figure in the "acid house" movement and released an extensive discography, often exploring themes of identity, sexuality, and esoteric spirituality. Alongside the musical work, P-Orridge co-founded Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth (TOPY), a countercultural network focused on magick and personal transformation.
In the 1990s and 2000s, P-Orridge embarked on the "Pandrogeny Project" with longtime partner Lady Jaye Breyer, aiming to dissolve traditional gender binaries by undergoing body modification and exploring new identities. This deeply personal and artistic endeavor positioned P-Orridge as an early advocate for gender fluidity and nonbinary identity, inspiring contemporary discussions on identity politics and self-expression.
Despite facing controversy, censorship, and exile from the UK in the early 1990s, P-Orridge continued to create, perform, and challenge societal norms until the end of their life. Their influence extended beyond music into performance art, literature, and gender discourse.
Genesis P-Orridge passed away on March 14, 2020, at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy of artistic defiance, cultural revolution, and fearless self-reinvention. Their impact continues to resonate with artists, musicians, and free thinkers worldwide.
