Her ethereal and calm voice provided a soft cushion to bring out the boisterous pairing and wild noise of the grunge era their band came out from. For three decades, I humbly co-managed one of Minnesota’s most popular rock bands of all time.
On Saturday night, Mimi Parker of the internationally famous Duluth rock trio was silenced by cancer.
The news of her death at the age of 55 was announced in a statement from her husband and colleague, Alan Sparhawk, on Low’s Twitter account.
“My friends, it is hard to put the universe into language and in a short message, but she passed away last night, surrounded by family and love, including yours,” the post read. “Keep her name close and sacred. Share this moment with someone who needs you. Love is really the most important thing.”
The drummer of Low as well as co-vocalist Parker were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 2020.
She is survived by daughter Hollis and son Cyrus (both of college age), as well as her husband, whom she met in elementary school in the small town of Clearbrook in northern Minnesota.
Although they practiced Mormons—their faith often played into song lyrics alluding to the end of time, morality, and redemption—the pair transitioned into rock ‘n’ roll shortly after their move to Duluth and formed Low in 1993 with a series of different bass players.
They released 13 studio albums and gained a steady following over the following years. The most recent records, “Oh what,” He was among many to receive widespread acclaim, including appearing at the top of Rolling Stone’s list of the 50 Greatest Albums of 2021.
“Mim had a unique and shaky voice [and] Lovely and caring friend,” said Dave Simonet, who was stomped by the Turtles captain, Sunday from the road, using the alias Sparhawk and close friends of Parker.
“She made some of the most beautiful music this world has known. We will miss her very much.”
Parker mostly kept her diagnosis until Low had to cancel her tour dates last August.
Among the postponed concerts, the US Death Cab flight for Cutie and main dates in Europe opened. Low has had a strong following across the Atlantic, which can be traced back to the early and enthusiastic support of the influential BBC DJ John Peel and touring with Radiohead, one of the many bands best known to cite the influence of the trio.
A famous fan of the group was Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant, who re-recorded two Lou songs on his 2010 album “Band of Joy”.
Low’s initial albums such as “I Can Live in Hope” were famous for their quiet and – according to the band’s name – low volume and tempo, qualities that saw the music term “slowcore” used poorly in reviews. That changed forever with 2005’s noisiest masterpiece “The Great Destroyer” The band’s first of seven records for the famous Seattle label Sub Pop Records of Nirvana fame.
Perhaps the most famous album Low is 1999 “birthday,” A collection of eight songs of traditional and new holiday tunes that ooze the couple’s icy harmony as well as their true Christian faith. He will appear in TV commercials for Gap and make several lists of top Christmas rock albums.
Parker, Sparhawk and new guitarist Liz Draper were able to perform at clubs and festivals across America and Europe in the first half of 2022, hitting the hit “Hey What” before Parker needed further treatment.
in another place an interview Last summer, Parker said she and Sparrowhawk had focused on highlighting the unique lyrical parts on the critically acclaimed 2021 album.
“When we got to recording singing on this recording, we were like, ‘Whoa! ‘ She said. ‘They were kind of streamer and centered. We sang very well. So that became kind of a cornerstone.”
The trio pressed into one last short set in Duluth this past Labor Day weekend for the Water Is Life ecological gathering at Bayfront Festival Park. Their latest performance in the Twin Cities was also meaningful at what also turned out to be Walker Arts Center’s latest Rock the Garden festival, where Low made waves in 2013 with the Drone Improvements group.
Draper recalled a moment during one of the band’s last performances this summer when an audience member shouted, “Mimi, you’re an angel!”
The guitarist said, “I remember that everyone who cried was right: Mim is a bright light, and we have been blessed with strength and grace here on earth.”
“Mim was so stoic and sweet. She was a great mom. If she really was a mom system, I feel very lucky to have been able to make music with her.”
Sad reactions to Parker’s death quickly piled up on social media on Sunday, with many of her fellow musicians and fans celebrating her music career as well as her reserved but positive and steadfast personality.
“Grateful for all your beautiful music,” Dan Wilson of Semisonic fame tweeted.
Fellow Duluth musician Gaelynn Lea wrote, “Mimi’s legacy is love and beauty, and the world is better because of her.”
Sub Pop Records tweeted in response to the news, “Forever close and sacred. We love you guys.”
Duluth Mayor Emily Larson tweeted to Sparhawk and her family: “This community loves you and we’re here to support you. Sorry for the loss of your music, your life and your family partner. Mee Mem’s beautiful voice and deep love echo further and light your way forward.”
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