Michelle Meldrum Tribute

Meldrum was born in Detroit, Michigan, to a family of musicians and actors (grandfather Thomas Hubbard and Great Uncle Elbert Hubbard). The family moved to Los Angeles, California when Meldrum was 13. Her first move was forming thrash metal band Wargod with later Dark Angel, Death and Strapping Young Lad drummer Gene Hoglan, then moving on to become both co-founder and lead guitarist in Phantom Blue. Phantom Blue released their self titled debut album on Shrapnel Records in the US (Roadrunner Records in Europe & Japan, and on to a major label deal with Geffen). The band toured internationally with much success.

She married John Norum in 1995 and they moved to Sweden where Michelle began putting together the international line-up of Meldrum. Meldrum went on to form Meldrum, a multi-national hard rock band. The band, fronted by Moa Holmsten's mammoth vocal style, combines aggressively melodic vocals, mind bending guitar riffs, along with a rhythm section creating fiercely bombastic grooves, giving Meldrum their unique, cutting edge sound. In 2005 Meldrum toured for three months with Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society, appearing in sold out venues across the US and Europe. In the fall of 2005 Meldrum joined Motörhead as special guests on their 30th anniversary tour throughout Europe. Meldrum has also toured with Sepultura, Danzig and Nashville Pussy, among others.

Meldrum fell into a coma on May 18, 2008 as a result of a cerebral/brain hemorrhage. She passed away on May 21 due to a cystic growth on her brain that had restricted the oxygen and blood flow to her brain, rendering her braindead. She is survived by her parents, her husband John Norum and their son, Jake Thomas. A memorial tribute benefit will be announced in the following weeks. 

Meldrum had just completed writing and recording a new album at the time, which the surviving band members plan to release later this year in tribute to her.