Delta 5's Julz Sale, RIP
Julz Sale, cofounder and vocalist/guitarist for post punk band Delta 5, died on Wednesday. No cause of death has been shared. The news was confirmed by Rough Trade, the label who put out the band’s 1980 single “Mind Your Own Business,” and for whom Julz once worked, sharing a quote from “Mind Your Own Business.” Kill Rock Stars, who put out Delta 5 compilation Singles & Sessions 1979 – 81, wrote, “Julz Sale’s contribution to punk, post-punk and music at large will be felt forever. we are gutted by the news of her passing. she was a delight to know and will be missed immensely. we encourage each of you to listen to Delta 5 for the remainder of the week and/or month.”
Delta 5 formed at Leeds University in 1979 and were part of the same scene that birthed Gang of Four and Mekons. With a two-bass lineup and highly politicized, feminist lyrics (delivered with icy attitude by Sale), the band hit on a unique sound quickly. They only put out few singles — “Try” and “You” was also a classic — and one album before breaking up in 1981, but Delta 5 remain influential. They also had a bit of a resurgence this year thanks to “Mind Your Own Business” being used in an Apple ad.
Rest in peace, Julz. Listen to some classic Delta 5, and read tributes from Au Pairs‘ Pete Hammond, The Pop Group‘s Mark Stewart, Scars, Teenage Fanclub‘s Norman Blake, and more.
Can you hear those people behind me?
Looking at your feelings inside me
Listen to the distance between us
Why don't you mind your own business?We are very sad to learn of the passing of Julz Sale, Delta 5 founding member and former employee of the Rough Trade label.
RIP x pic.twitter.com/zBE8l34TZF
— Rough Trade (@RoughTrade) September 22, 2021
Julz Sale's contribution to punk, post-punk and music at large will be felt forever. we are gutted by the news of her passing. she was a delight to know and will be missed immensely.
we encourage each of you to listen to Delta 5 for the remainder of the week and/or month.
RIP x
— Kill Rock Stars (@killrockstars) September 22, 2021
Very sad news about Julz Sale from Delta 5..we played lots of smokey whisky joints together..way too soon.. pic.twitter.com/23a0tq35as
— Pete Hammond (@PeteHammond20) September 22, 2021
We are destroyed to learn today of the death of Julz Sale, our friend and collaborator. RIP Julz 💔💔💔 https://t.co/Aw4EQVeJDl
— The Scars (@ScarsOfficial1) September 22, 2021
One of the best. Around 2000 you couldn’t go out at nite in NYC without hearing “Mind Your Own Business”. Other singles are great as well. “You” is my personal fave. RIP. #julzsale https://t.co/EYbaHfrU78
— Anthony Roman (@Antonharmony) September 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/MrNormanBlake1/status/1440706631826694150
Just heard the sad news that Julz Sale from Delta 5 has died. Here’s a photo I took for NME on Wardour St in Aug 81. I loved Delta 5 in the 80s, they were great fun to spend time with. Julz worked for Rough Trade once the band split up. My condolences to all her family & friends pic.twitter.com/fcSu80tifD
— Kevin Cummins (@KCMANC) September 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/Birmingham_81/status/1440730900266827777