Lisa Hodapp,singer/bassist for 80s Fort Lauderdale punk legends Morbid Opera and the guitarist for 90s all girl group The Gargirls and her current band, Fraulien - passed away Monday due to complications from cancer. She was 49. She is survived by her husband Jeff, and her children, Tyler and Elizabeth.
Morbid Opera were best known for their appearance on the "We Can't Help If If We're From Florida" compilation Lp, which helped put the South Florida punk scene on the national map, as did their single "Jesus Loves You, So Give Us Your Money."
"Lisa always had a good time." Remembers Mike O'Brien, who played drums for Morbid Opera in the mid-80s. "The way she interacted with the crowd was great. She was easy going and would say outrageous things. It was a real party band."
After taking a few years off from music to have her children and graduate law school, Lisa Hodapp returned in the 90s with the Gargirls and charmed a whole new generation of punk rockers, including her bandmates, some of whom were half her age, into rocking out with her.
Lisa Hodapp had a charisma that was rare. Punk Rock is a youth culture, but for those who take its lessons the right way - age is just a number and doesn't interfere with your vitality. Lisa never seemed out of place onstage banging out three chords - no matter who she shared the stage with - because she oozed vitality with each downstroke she hit on her telecaster. Lisa, and her cheshire cat smile, will be dearly missed.
a viewing will be held tonight between 5pm and 9pm at:
Kraeer Funeral Home
1655 North University Drive
Coral Springs, FL 33071-6026
(954) 753-8960
The Funeral will be held Friday Morning at 10 AM at:
St Demetrios Greek Orthodox
815 Northeast 15th Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304-4400
(954) 467-1515
totally sad. lisa was such an awesome person.
Posted by: Alxis Ratkevich | 04/15/2010 at 04:58 PM
I LOVE YOU LISA!!! We alllll love you!
Posted by: dubr | 04/15/2010 at 10:47 PM
Thanks for a nice article and a great gal.
Posted by: Jim Johnson | 04/17/2010 at 09:33 AM
She was one of the happiest people I have ever known. A brilliant woman.
Posted by: Charlie Pickett | 04/17/2010 at 01:22 PM
Such an inspiration! RIP.
Posted by: Deb from Gainesville | 04/19/2010 at 08:36 AM
Very sad to lose you Lisa. My love and heart goes to Jeff and the kids. They were always good friends with genuine smiles.
Posted by: Bill Perry | 04/19/2010 at 09:33 AM
Lisa was a true friend to me and helped me out with legal issues when I was hassled by city bureaucrats.
She was also a loving wife and mother and knew how to rock hard (BTW it's spelled Fraulein, not Fraulien). I also spoke Greek to her whenever I could. You are missed, Lisa!
Posted by: Tom W. | 04/20/2010 at 09:35 PM
Beautiful article. Thank you all for the kind words. This is Lisa's cousin Alex from Chicago. Lisa is well missed. She is in our hearts and thoughts always and forever will be. Words cannot express just what she meant to me personally. I was blessed to have spent the last 2 weeks of her life by her side, as we shared the most precious moments and memories from our childhood into adulthood, that I will cherish the rest of my life. Until we meet again my sweet cousin. I love you with every ounce of my being. Rest in peace my beautiful Lisa. <3
Posted by: Alexandra Angelakos | 03/04/2011 at 07:11 PM