Lizzie Grey (born Stephen Perry; August 13, 1958 – August 4, 2019) was an American guitarist, songwriter, and musician best known for his role in the development of the Los Angeles glam metal and hard rock scenes during the late 1970s and 1980s.
Early Career and London Grey first gained prominence in the late 1970s as a founding member of the band London. Formed in 1978 alongside bassist Nikki Sixx (who later founded Mötley Crüe), London served as a significant precursor to the 1980s Sunset Strip hair metal movement. Although the band underwent numerous lineup changes—featuring musicians who would later join groups such as W.A.S.P., Guns N' Roses, and Cinderella—Grey remained the primary constant member and songwriter for much of its existence.
Songwriting and Collaborative Work Grey is credited as a co-writer on the song "Public Enemy #1," which appeared on Mötley Crüe's 1981 debut album, Too Fast for Love. This contribution established his influence on the early sound of the genre. Throughout the 1980s, Grey performed with various iterations of London and other projects, including the band Ultra Pop (later renamed Radio City).
Spiders & Snakes In 1990, Grey formed the band Spiders & Snakes. This group moved away from the traditional glam metal sound toward a style influenced by 1970s British glam rock, such as the works of T. Rex and David Bowie. The band remained active for nearly three decades, releasing several studio albums including Goodbye-Goodbye (1991), Oddities: The 5th Album (1999), and Year of the Snake (2014).
Final Years and Death In the later years of his life, Grey's musical activity was curtailed by health issues. He was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological disorder. Lizzie Grey died from complications of the disease on August 4, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 60. He is recognized by music historians for his foundational contributions to the Los Angeles rock scene and his enduring presence as a performer and songwriter.
