Lesley Gore
 In 1963, a 17-year old from Tenafly, New Jersey, hit the top of
the charts with It's My Party.
The daughter of a wealthy swimsuit manufacturer, Lesley Gore
(born Lesley Sue Goldstein) had a number of strong songs, and her
trademark impassioned vocals ensured she had further Top 5 hits
with Judy's Turn To Cry, She's A Fool and You
Don't Own Me.
At 16 she had been snapped up by Mercury Records, and in 1963
was hailed as a major star when her records became hits on both
sides of the Atlantic.
And for the next few years she had a string of successes,
notably in America, with further singles, including Sunshine,
Lollipops and Rainbows, and albums snapped up by teenagers
who identified with her and her material.
Despite her success, Gore was determined to finish her
education, by gaining her Bachelor of Arts degree from Sarah
Lawrence College in Bronxville, New Jersey. The year she entered
the college - 1965 - she cut back on live appearances, and by the
time she re-emerged it was arguably too late. The formula had lost
its potency.
Live appearances in 1970 and 1971 did not impress the critics
and her career floundered. She did, however, sign a new contract
with Motown Records in 1972 - though two years later she switched
to A&M.
Lesley later turned to song writing and in 1980 enjoyed
success, having penned several of the lyrics for the movie Fame,
directed by Alan Parker. Most of the music for the film was
composed by her brother Michael.
In 2005, she recorded Ever Since - her first album of
new material since Love Me By Name in 1976. Morgan for
Engine Company Records (a small independent label). Gore announced
in 2005 that she was a lesbian and living with her partner of over
23 years.
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