A retail worker at the Acme Attractions store that, along with the SEX boutique run by Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood, was instrumental in spawning punk in the UK,[1] she went on to become a member of post-punk band Public Image Ltd (PiL).
While raising their first child, she was approached by Geoff Travis with an offer to join him in managing the Rough Trade label.
[3][2][4] Rough Trade had many successes, signing acts such as Stiff Little Fingers, The Smiths and The Sundays before going bankrupt in 1991 due to cash flow problems within their distribution business and an expensive and unsuccessful new computer system.
[2][5] In 2000, Sanctuary Records decided to resurrect Rough Trade and brought on Lee and Travis to run their old label again.
[1] Musicians have credited Lee's musical sense and straightforward honesty as important components of the label's ability to keep signing the next big band.