Judee Sill had a turbulent childhood, a turbulent adolescence, a turbulent adulthood and an early, turbulent death.
The child of a broken marriage, Judee violently fought with her parents. As a rebellious teen, she and a partner began robbing gas stations and liquor stores in Southern California until the pair were arrested. It was during a nine month stretch in reform school that Judee rediscovered music. The piano lessons she took as a child reemerged and she became a church organist and developed a love of gospel music.
After her release, Judee worked as a piano player in a bar to earn money for her drug habit. In 1966, she married fellow musician — and fellow heroin user — Bob Harris. Once again, Judee resorted to crime — including robbery, sex work, forgery and fraud — to support her addiction. After her release from a jail sentence, Judee concentrated on songwriting.
Even during the lowest points of her life, Judee always displayed musical talent. She secured several gigs opening for Graham Nash and David Crosby. Her performances caught the attention of producer David Geffen and he offered to sign her to his new Asylum Records label. Her first self-titled release featured the single “Jesus Was a Cross Maker.” The single received a flurry of acclaim and Judee toured with singer Jimmy Webb as his opening act. Despite positive reviews, Judee’s debut album sold poorly. She released a second album that also did not do well commercially. She grew frustrated with her “opening act” status and expressed he frustration by berating David Geffen onstage, using several homophobic comments about the then-closeted producer.
With her friendship with Geffen dissolved, Judee found herself with a record label. She began work on a third album, recording songs at Mike Nesmith‘s studio. She struggled with her current songs and considered leaving the music business for other pursuits. Meanwhile, her drug use increased and her health deteriorated. Judee was found dead of a drug overdose in her North Hollywood apartment in November 1979. Although disputed by friends, the LA Coroner ruled the death a suicide. Judee was 35.
Although far from a household name, Judee Sill was often cited as an important influence by a number of successful artists, including Andy Partridge, Liz Phair, Warren Zevon, Shawn Colvin and many others. Nick Lowe said that Judee’s song “Jesus Was a Cross Maker” was very influential on his composition “(What’s So Funny About) Peace, Love and Understanding.”