A Sad Day – Lesley Gore Teenage Tragedy Queen Dies – Aged 68

Lesley Gore always seemed to be the beautiful older sister and she would cry anytime anywhere that she wanted.  At 16 years of age she released her first Billboard No 1 hit song in 1963 – It’s my Party (and I’ll cry if I want to) – what will power.  Her follow up hits were in a similar vein with Judy’s turn to cry and She’s a fool later in 1963.  In 1964 she released the fabulous You don’t own me which reached the Billboard No 5 slot.  Dusty Springfield included this song on her debut A girl called Dusty album in April 1964.

In 1964 and 1965 Lesley released eight singles but only You don’t own me reached a high spot in the charts.  From 1963 to 2005 she released 12 studio albums and 6 compilations.  However her hey days were in 1963 and 1964; from a pop perspective it was all downhill after then.  Although, in 1967, she played a part in the Batman TV series where she guest starred as Pussycat, one of Catwoman’s minions.  “….Great suffering catfish Batman – what a looker!”  “Yes Robin that’s  one great Pink Pussycat!!!!!!!!!!!”

Lesley Gore and her brother Michael worked closely together winning an award for the music they composed for the musical Fame in 1980.  And whilst, in Australia, we may not have heard much about Lesley during the 80s and 90s she continued television and live show presentations.

Let’s remember Lesley for her great early work from 1963, her hit songs and albums and that lovely smile (even though tears were close at hand).  And check out It’s my party.