b. Lesley Sue Goldstein, 2nd May 1946, New York City, New York, U.S.A.
d. 16th February 2015, The New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.A.
Lesley Gore will, probably, be best remembered for her 1963 pop hit, ‘It’s My Party, however her skills took her into the acting arena and, she later became an equal rights campaigner.
Born in New York City, Lesley attended the Dwight School for Girls, which is where she achieved her number one hit for Mercury Records, ‘It's My Party’ (produced by Quincy Jones).
sings of mixed up hearts - 1963 / i'll cry if i want to - 1963 / boys, boys, boys - 1964 / girl talk - 1964
The single was followed by further hit’s, including ‘Judy's Turn to Cry’, ‘She's a Fool’, ‘You Don't Own Me’, ‘That's the Way Boys Are’, ‘Maybe I Know’, ‘Look of Love’ and the Grammy-nominated ‘Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows’.
my town, my guy & me - 1965 / all about love - 1965 / california nights - 1967 / someplace else now - 1972
In 1965, she appeared in the film ‘The Girls on the Beach’, performing the songs, ‘Leave Me Alone’, ‘It's Gotta Be You’ and ‘I Don't Want to Be a Loser’.
with quincy jones and millie small
Quincy Jones, worked with Lesley between 1963 and 1965, Lesley also releasing Marvin Hamlisch's first hit composition, ‘Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows’.
with catwoman (julie newmar) in batman
Lesley performed on two episodes of the Batman TV series in 1967.
with, the late, bob crewe
Her version of Bob Crewe’s 1967 song, ‘California Nights’, reached number 16 that year.
Lesley attended the Sarah Lawrence College, studying literature.
love me by name - 1976 / the canvas can do miracles - 1980
Her self-penned 1976 song, 'Love Me By Name' was later covered by Patti Austin on the Quincy Jones album 'Stuff Like That' in 1978.
She also composed songs for the soundtrack of the 1980 film ‘Fame’ ('Out Here On My Own').
Lesley went on to perform in concerts and appeared on television throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
ever since - 2007
In 2007, she released the album, ‘Ever Since’.
In 2004, Lesley hosted the television series ‘In the Life’, which focused on homosexuality issues.
Lesley spoke of her own sexuality, having lived with her female partner, Lois Sasson, for more than 23 years.
Lesley died at the age of 68 in 2015.
She had been suffering from cancer, and passed away at the New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan.
I'll Cry If I Want to (Mercury Records 1963)
Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts (Mercury Records 1963)
Boys, Boys, Boys (Mercury Records 1964)
Girl Talk (Mercury Records 1964)
My Town, My Guy & Me (Mercury Records 1965)
Lesley Gore Sings All About Love (Mercury Records 1966)
California Nights (Mercury Records 1967)
Magic Colors (Mercury Records 1967)
Someplace Else Now (MoWest Records 1972)
Love Me by Name (A&M Records 1976)
The Canvas Can Do Miracles (51 West Records 1982)
Ever Since (Engine Company Records 2005)
