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'It's My Party' singer Lesley Gore dead at 68

Legendary singer-songwriter Lesley Gore, who is behind some of the biggest teenage anthems ever, passed away from lung cancer in New York City earlier today. She was 68.

Gore had been fighting the disease at New York University Langone Medical Center in Manhattan, according to her partner of 33 years, Lois Sasson. The singer topped the charts in 1963, aged just 16, with her song, 'It's My Party," and later released hits 'Judy's Turn to Cry," as well as feminist anthem 'You Don't Own Me'.

"She was a wonderful human being -- caring, giving, a great feminist, great woman, great human being, great humanitarian," Sasson, a jewellery designer, told The Associated Press.

Gore kickstarted her career when she was discovered by iconic musician Quincy Jones as a teenager and signed to Mercury Records. She later graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a degree in English/American literature. The talented singer's other hits include 'Shes A Fool,' 'Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbow,' 'That's the Way Boys Are' and 'Maybe I Know.' She also co-wrote the Academy Award-nominated 'Out Here On My Own,' from the film 'Fame,' with her brother Michael.

Gore's sang at the 1964 T.A.M.I. Show in Santa Monica, California, alongside future Rock and Roll greats likes James Brown and the Rolling Stones. She also played Catwoman's sidekick in the cult TV comedy Batman. In the 1990s, Gore co-wrote 'My Secret Love' for Allison Anders' film 'Grace of My Heart,' released in 1996. A couple of years later, she appeared in Smokey Joe's Cafe on Broadway. The singer had been working on a stage adaptation of her life with playwright Mark Hampton when she died. In 2005, she released 'Ever Since,' her first album in 30 years, but was sure to perform her classic hits in front of fans. "If I've learned anything in this business." she told the New York Times that year, "how stupid would it be not to do 'It's My Party' when people come to hear it?"

The songwriter's most recent show included Feinstein's at the Loews Regency in New York and, along with Ronnie Spector and LaLa Brooks, headlined the 'She's Got the Power' concert outdoors at Lincoln Center in 2012.

Gore publicly came out as gay when she hosted several episodes of the PBS series, 'In This Life,' which dealt with gay and lesbian issues. During the 2012 presidential campaign, the star turned 'You Don't Own Me' into an online video public service announcement demanding reproductive rights, which starred feminist stars Lena Dunham and Tavi Gevinson.

Gore is survived by her brother and mother, Ronny, as well as her partner Sasson. Services will be held on Thursday at the Frank E. Campbell funeral home on Madison Avenue.

Source: www.msn.com
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