Jordan Mooney – real name Pamela Rooke – has died aged 66.
The news was shared by Rooke’s partner Nick yesterday afternoon (4 April). Tributes have begun pouring in to the late British punk rock figure, known for her pioneering fashion sense and for working alongside the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Adam & the Ants and the Sex Pistols.
“She died peacefully a stone’s throw away from the sea in her home town of Seaford, East Sussex in the company of her loving family at 9pm last night (Sunday 3rd April),” her partner Nick wrote. “Jordan (Pamela Rooke) has left her mark on this planet, whether it be as ‘The Queen of Punk’, or for her veterinary work and countless prize winning cats. She lived life to the full and was true to herself and others throughout the whole of her life. She was totally trusted and respected by all those who knew her.”
“Jordan was a blessed rare individual indeed,” he added. “She did not want any speculation regarding her passing, and wished for the world to know that after a short period of illness, she succumbed to a relatively rare form of cancer known as cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). Jordan was a wonderful woman and will be remembered for countless decades to come.”
Rooke started out working in Westwood’s boutique, Sex, and was entrenched in the London punk scene. She attended some of the Sex Pistols’ earliest gigs and appeared on stage with them during the band’s 1976 Anarchy in the UK live television performance. She went on to star in Derek Jarman’s films and manage Wide Boy Awake and Adam & the Ants – who she also performed with.
Vivienne Westwood and the Sex Pistols’ Glen Matlock are amongst those who have paid tribute to Rooke. Read some of the tributes below.
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RIP #jordan An amazing woman. She changed our world. And she loved cats. So sad she’s gone. pic.twitter.com/iXx5zIAjTh
— Jonathan Ross (@wossy) April 4, 2022
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