It’s 1963 and Everyone Is Singing ‘It’s My Party’ and Go Ahead, Cry If You Want To
(AP) - The Crystals and music producer Phil Spector must have been stomping their feet in anger when Lesley Gore had a hit with "It's My Party."
Gore says they were supposed to record it but she and producer Quincy Jones already had the song recorded. Gore said in a 1998 AP interview a publisher had given her the exclusive on the song, while the publisher's partner had given the exclusive to The Crystals.
Gore said Spector bragged to Jones about the song, and Jones rush-released Gore's version. It went to number one.
Gore died Monday of cancer in New York. She was 68. Her other hits include "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows," "Judy's Turn to Cry," "You Don't Own Me" and "Maybe I Know." A service will be held Thursday in New York.
(AP) - Lesley Gore was more than just the singer of "It's My Party."
Gore was nominated for an Oscar for co-writing the song "Out Here On My Own" from the movie "Fame" with her brother, Michael. She co-wrote the song "My Secret Love" for the 1996 film, "Grace of My Heart." Gore also played Pussycat, a sidekick of Catwoman, on an episode of "Batman."
She came out as a lesbian in 2005 and had been with her partner, Lois Sasson, for 33 years until Gore died Monday of cancer. Sasson calls Gore "a great feminist, great woman, great human being, great humanitarian."
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