Natasha Shneider was a Russian-American musician and actress who was best known as the vocalist and keyboardist of the rock band Eleven, along with her husband Alain Johannes and drummer Jack Irons. She also collaborated with artists such as Chris Cornell, Queens of the Stone Age, and No Doubt, and appeared in films such as 2010 and Spiker. She died of cancer on July 2, 2008, at the age of 52, leaving behind a legacy of music and inspiration.
A Life of Music and Adventure
Natasha Shneider was born on May 22, 1956, in Riga, Latvia, which was then part of the Soviet Union. She came from a musical family, as both of her parents were musicians and her brother Vladimir was a pianist and producer. She showed her talent and passion for music from an early age, and joined a state-run pop orchestra called Sovremennik in the 1970s, where she met her first husband Serge Kapustin, a guitarist and percussionist.
In 1976, Shneider, Kapustin, and her brother defected to the West, arriving in New York City with little money and no connections. They took odd jobs and played gigs around the city, and eventually moved to Los Angeles in 1978, where they met Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records. They changed their band name to Black Russian, and released an album of R&B-styled pop in 1980, which was well received by critics but failed to achieve commercial success.
Shneider divorced Kapustin in 1984, and married Alain Johannes, a Chilean-American musician and producer, in 1987. They formed a new band called Walk the Moon, which later evolved into Eleven, after Irons joined them in 1990. Eleven released five albums between 1991 and 2003, blending rock, pop, funk, and alternative elements, and showcasing Shneider’s powerful vocals and keyboard skills. They also contributed to the soundtrack of the 1992 film Singles, and toured with Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Candlebox.
A Collaborator and a Friend
Besides her work with Eleven, Shneider also collaborated with many other artists, both as a performer and a producer. She and Johannes co-wrote and co-produced Chris Cornell’s solo debut album Euphoria Morning in 1999, and joined him on tour as his backing band. She also played keyboards and sang backing vocals for Queens of the Stone Age on their albums Songs for the Deaf (2002) and Lullabies to Paralyze (2005), and toured with them in 2005. She also worked with No Doubt on their album Return of Saturn (2000), and with the Desert Sessions, a musical collective led by Josh Homme.
Shneider was not only a talented musician, but also a warm and generous person, who made many friends in the music industry. She was described by Cornell as “a brilliant and beautiful soul”, by Homme as “a musical tornado”, and by Irons as “a sister, a musical partner, and a best friend”. She was also praised by other artists such as Eddie Vedder, Flea, Dave Grohl, and Trent Reznor, who expressed their admiration and gratitude for her work and influence.
A Battle with Cancer
Shneider was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, and underwent treatment for two years. She kept her illness private, and continued to make music until the end. She died in her sleep on July 2, 2008, in Los Angeles, surrounded by her family and friends. Her death was announced by Homme on the Queens of the Stone Age website, who also set up a PayPal fund to help cover her medical expenses.
Shneider’s death was mourned by many fans and musicians, who paid tribute to her legacy and memory. A benefit concert was held in her honor on August 16, 2008, at the Henry Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, featuring performances by Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, PJ Harvey, and others. The proceeds of the concert and the donations were given to Shneider’s family and to various cancer charities.
Shneider’s music lives on through her albums, her collaborations, and her influence. She was a rock star who broke boundaries, challenged conventions, and inspired generations. She was a woman who lived her life with courage, passion, and grace. She was Natasha Shneider, and she will always be remembered.
