Lesley Gore
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Lesley Gore (born May 2, 1946 in New York City) is an American singer and songwriter, one of the best known performers of the girl group era.
Raised in Tenafly, New Jersey, Gore was discovered as a teenager. Her first single was the #1 hit "It's My Party", still perhaps her best known recording, which also made #9 in Britain. It was followed by others, including "Judy's Turn to Cry" (the sequel to "It's My Party"), "She's a Fool", the proto-feminist "You Don't Own Me", and "Maybe I Know". Her record producer was Quincy Jones, who would later become one of the most famous producers in American music.
By the late 1960s, though, her fame was rapidly deterioriating as popular tastes evolved towards a harder-edged, psychedelic sound. Her last hit was "California Nights" (1967), after which she spent the remainder of her career performing in cabarets and achieving some success as a professional songwriter, including composing songs for the soundtrack of the 1980 film, Fame.
Gore continues to play concerts, and is known for tackling a variety of musical genres, including a credible take on AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap".
Although Gore did not officially come out until late (http://www.afterellen.com/People/2005/6/lesleygore.html) in her career, her lesbianism was not exactly a secret. The 1996 film Grace of My Heart featured a character (played by Bridget Fonda) whose industry struggles over her sexual orientation were similar to Gore's. Beginning in 2004 Gore could be seen hosting the PBS series In the Life, which focused on GLBT issues. Gore currently lives with her partner of over twenty-five years, as well as a few pets.
Discography
Standard albums
- 1963: I'll Cry if I Want To (US #24)
- 1963: Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts (US #125)
- 1964: Boys, Boys, Boys (US #127)
- 1964: Girl Talk (US #146)
- 1965: My Town, My Guy & Me (US #120)
- 1966: Lesley Gore Sings All About Love
- 1967: California Nights (US #169)
- 1972: Someplace Else Now
- 1975: Love Me By Name
- 2005: Ever Since
Compilations
- 1965: The Golden Hits of Lesley Gore (US #95)
Singles
- 1963: "It's My Party" (US #1, UK #9)
- 1963: "Judy's Turn to Cry" (US #5)
- 1963: "She's a Fool" (US #5)
- 1964: "You Don't Own Me" (US #2)
- 1964: "That's the Way Boys Are" (US #12)
- 1964: "I Don't Wanna Be a Loser" (US #37)
- 1964: "Maybe I Know" (US #14)
- 1964: "Hey Now" (US #76)
- 1964: "Sometimes I Wish I Were a Boy" (US #86)
- 1965: "Look of Love" (US #27)
- 1965: "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows" (US #13)
- 1965: "My Town, My Guy and Me" (US #32)
- 1966: "Young Love" (US #50)
- 1966: "We Know We're in Love" (US #76)
- 1967: "California Nights" (US #16)
- 1967: "Summer and Sandy" (US #65)
1967: "Brink of Disaster" (US #82)
External links
- Official website (http://www.lesleygore.com)
- 2005 interview (http://www.afterellen.com/People/2005/6/lesleygore.html)sv:Lesley Gore