Claude Bessy

Born in Normandy, France, Claude Bessy (sometimes named as Bessey) moved to California in 1973. He became involved in the local punk scene. He was the co-founder and editor for Slash Magazine, first published in Los Angeles in May 1977, where he wrote under the penname Kickboy Face. He recorded as a member of Catholic Discipline with Phranc. In 1980 he moved to England and joined Rough Trade (UK)'s press office writing liner notes, producing videos and doing general promo duties for artists including Throbbing Gristle, The Fall, Virgin Prunes, Nick Cave, Sonic Youth, Wire and William S. Burroughs. Circa 1983 he moved to Manchester and started working for Factory Communications Ltd.. He worked as a VJ at Manchester's Haçienda club and produced a rare video on Factory/Ikon named "Bessy Talks Turkey". He moved once more in 1987 to Barcelona, where he lived until his untimely death from lung cancer on 2nd October 1999.