“I meet a lot of young people the Midwt, and I saw what a difference a show like In the Life n make to their liv some of the small towns where, you know, there are probably two gay people the whole damn town.” – Lley Gore
Contents:
- LLEY {LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:600;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:0.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.25REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}} A{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;} A:HOVER{LOR:#A00000;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}LLEY GORE WAS A SGER-SONGWRER KNOWN FOR HER 1963 SMASH SGLE "IT'S MY PARTY." GORE ALSO SRED HS WH "MAYBE I KNOW" AND "YOU DON'T OWN ME."{LOR:#323232;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;} SPAN{FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;}{FONT-STYLE:NORMAL;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.3;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;TEXT-TRANSFORM:PALIZE;}{DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;MARG-LEFT:0.625REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}UPDATED: NOV 30, {DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;}{MARG-BOTTOM:0.9375REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 64REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(100VW - (1REM * 2));MARG-LEFT:1REM;MARG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(-1 * 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - (LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 2 * 1REM)) / -2);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 90REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / 2);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / -2) - 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 2);MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 + 1REM)) / -2) - LC(2 * 1REM));}[DATA-HAS-SPONSOR] {MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);MARG-RIGHT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);}}{JTIFY-SELF:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG-LEFT:-50VW;MARG-RIGHT:-50VW;WIDTH:100VW;LEFT:50%;RIGHT:50%;}}{HEIGHT:TO;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO LC(50% - 50VW);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO;}}{POSN:RELATIVE;HEIGHT:TO;}{POSN:RELATIVE;--POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:TO;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:TO;} A{POSN:ABSOLUTE;}{POSN:RELATIVE;WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;VERTIL-ALIGN:TOP;}{BACKGROUND:#C92228;BOTTOM:0;PADDG:.5REM;RIGHT:0;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG:0.39REM;}}{DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:1REM;WIDTH:1REM;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{WIDTH:1.063REM;HEIGHT:1.063REM;}}{LE-HEIGHT:1;MARG-TOP:0.3125REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 73.75REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0.9375REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0;}}{LOR:#595959;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}PHOTO: MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIV/GETTY {FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{PADDG-LEFT:3.5REM;PADDG-RIGHT:3.5REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MAX-WIDTH:45.25REM;MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 73.75REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 100REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}} EM{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}{CLEAR:BOTH;NTENT:" ";DISPLAY:BLOCK;FONT-SIZE:0.7REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.5REM;HEIGHT:0REM;VISIBILY:HIDN;}{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;} EM{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}(1946-2015){LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:800;LETTER-SPACG:0.02EM;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;MARG-TOP:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}} B, STRONG{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM, I{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;}WHO WAS LLEY GORE?LLEY GORE'S FIRST AND MOST POPULAR H, 1963'S "IT'S MY PARTY," REMAS HER LLG RD TODAY. HER VOICE BEME THE QUTSENTIAL SOUND FOR YOUTHFUL LONGG, AND SHE RERD SEVERAL OTHER HS THROUGHOUT THE 1960S, CLUDG "LOOK OF LOVE," "MAYBE I KNOW" AND "YOU DON'T OWN ME." GORE WAS LATER NOMATED FOR AN AMY AWARD FOR "OUT HERE ON MY OWN" FOR THE FILM FAME. GORE DIED OF LUNG NCER ON FEBARY 16, 2015.EARLY LIFE AND FIRST H SONGSGER-SONGWRER LLEY GORE WAS BORN LLEY SUE GOLDSTE ON MAY 2, 1946, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. GORE GREW UP NEARBY TENAFLY, NEW JERSEY. SHE WAS ONLY 16 YEARS OLD WHEN SHE WAS DISVERED BY LEGENDARY MIC PRODUCER, {-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:#A00000;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;}{LOR:#595959;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}QUCY JON. THOUGH SEVERAL VERSNS OF THE STORY OF THEIR SPIC MEETG EXIST — ONE SOURCE SAID THAT THEY MET AT A PARTY, WHILE ANOTHER CLAIMS THAT JON SAW GORE SGG A HOTEL — GORE HERSELF REMEMBERS THAT HAPPENED THROUGH A STRG OF LUCKY NNECTNS. AS GORE RELLED, "THE SHORT STORY AND THE TTH IS THAT I WAS TAKG VOL LSONS HERE NEW YORK ... ONE DAY, STEAD OF MY LSON, THE PIANO PLAYER AND I WENT TO A STUD ... AND WE PUT DOWN SOME MOS ... THOSE MOS GOT TO QUCY JON THROUGH AN AGENT ... HE LISTENED TO THEM, HE LLED ME, AND WE STARTED TO RERD." GORE ULD NOT HAVE BEGUN HER MIC REER WH A BETTER TEAM BEHD HER. HER FIRST SGLE, 1963'S "IT'S MY PARTY (AND I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO)," WAS ARRANGED BY FAMED BRILL BUILDG SONGWRER ELLIE GREENWICH AND PRODUCED BY QUCY JON. THE SONG RONATED WH LNS OF TEENAGE GIRLS ACROSS AMERI, BEG AN OVERNIGHT SUCCS. GORE'S SUDN FAME WAS A LTLE OVERWHELMG: "WE RERD THE RERD ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON, MARCH 30TH, AND I HEARD THE RERD FOR THE FIRST TIME ON APRIL 6TH. I WAS DRIVG TO SCHOOL, LERALLY SEVEN DAYS LATER. YOU KNOW, THAT DON'T HAPPEN ANYMORE, SO WHEN STARTED GETTG PLAYED, WE WEREN'T PREPARED FOR . WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HAD BEEN RELEASED." "IT'S MY PARTY" SOARED TO THE TOP OF THE CHARTS AND H NO. 1 WH WEEKS. IN JUNE 1963, GORE RELEASED HER FIRST ALBUM WH MERCURY, ENTLED I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO, REACHG NO. 24 ON THE U.S. ALBUMS CHART. THOUGH GORE AND HER FAY TRIED TO LIVE NORMALLY SPE HER NEW CELEBRY, SOON, HOARDS OF FANS BEGAN LERALLY SHOWG UP ON HER ONT DOORSTEP: "YOU HAVE TO TAKE TO ACUNT THAT THIS WAS A LONG TIME AGO, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THGS LIKE ANSWERG MACH," GORE LATER SAID. "SO WHEN THE DISC JOCKEY ... WOULD SAY, 'THAT WAS LLEY GORE, THE SWEETIE PIE OM TENAFLY,' WELL, PEOPLE JT ME TO TENAFLY. YOU KNOW, I'D WAKE UP AND THERE WERE PEOPLE MPED OUT ON THE GRASS." DPE ALL THE ATTENTN, GORE STAYED SCHOOL AND STUDIED HARD WHILE NTUG TO NURTURE HER MIC REER. HER NEXT SGLE, "JUDY'S TURN TO CRY," WAS A KD OF SEQUEL STORY TO "IT'S MY PARTY" AND REACHED NO. 5 ON THE CHARTS.EARLY CAREER AND SONGSOVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, WHILE SHE REMAED HIGH SCHOOL, GORE RELEASED A STRG OF BUBBLE-GUM HS LIKE "SHE'S A FOOL," "THAT'S THE WAY BOYS ARE," "LOOK OF LOVE," "SUNSHE, LOLLIPOPS, AND RABOWS" AND "MY TOWN, MY GUY, AND ME." ONE SONG THAT STOOD OUT OM THE RT, HOWEVER, WAS "YOU DON'T OWN ME," AN UNAPOLOGETIC CLARATN THAT WOMEN ARE NOT OBJECTS THAT MEN N POSSS AND NTROL. PERHAPS IRONILLY, THE SONG WAS ACTUALLY WRTEN BY MALE SONGWRG DUO JOHN MARA AND DAVE WHE, BUT GORE'S POWERFUL VOLS AND PASSN FOR THE LYRICS SPIRED TEENAGE GIRLS TO NOT LET BOYS PH THEM AROUND. THE SONG HELD STEADY AT NO. 2 FOR WEEKS, SURPASSED ONLY BY THE BEATL WORLD-CHANGG SMASH, "I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND." AS GORE EXPLAED THE RERD: "WHEN I FIRST HEARD THAT SONG AT THE AGE OF 16 OR 17, FEMISM WASN'T QUE A GOG PROPOSN YET. SOME PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT , BUT WASN'T ANY KD OF STATE AT THE TIME. MY TAKE ON THAT SONG WAS: I'M 17, WHAT A WONRFUL THG, TO BE ABLE TO STAND UP ON A STAGE AND SHAKE YOUR FGER AT PEOPLE AND SG YOU DON'T OWN ME." GORE HAD TO LOOK FAR AND WI TO FD FEMALE MENTORS THE MALE-DOMATED RERD DTRY OF 1960S AMERI. ONE WHO SPIRED HER WAS FEMIST LAWYER AND POLICIAN BELLA ABZUG, WHO BEME A CLOSE IEND. WHEN BETTE MIDLER, DIANE KEATON AND GOLDIE HAWN VERED "YOU DON'T OWN ME" FOR THE 1996 EDY THE FIRST WIV CLUB — A FILM ABOUT WOMEN TAKG REVENGE ON THEIR CHEATG, LYG AND MANIPULATIVE EX-HBANDS — THE ANTHEM FOUND A NEW LEASE ON LIFE FOR A YOUNGER GENERATN OF FANS.EDUTNAFTER GRADUATG OM HIGH SCHOOL, GORE NTUED TO PURSUE MIC BUT DID NOT LET HER REER GET THE WAY OF HIGHER TN. SHE ATTEND SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE, AN ALL-FEMALE UNIVERSY, AND RERVED SUMMERS AND HOLIDAYS FOR PERFORMANC, RERDG SSNS AND TOURS. LATER THE 1960S, GORE RELEASED SGL SUCH AS "TREAT ME LIKE A LADY," "HE GIV ME LOVE (LA, LA, LA)" AND "CALIFORNIA NIGHTS," BUT SHE REMAED MORE FOCED ON STUDYG THAN PERFORMG, A MOVE THAT ULTIMATELY SLOWED DOWN HER REER. AT SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE, GORE TOOK URS LERATURE AND DRAMA, ENJOYG EVERY MUTE OF : "I WAS A GOOD STUNT AND I ENJOYED SCHOOL," GORE LATER SAID OF HER EXPERIENCE AT THE SCHOOL. "THE MP WAS KD OF LIKE A HAVEN FOR ME. A BETIFUL SCHOOL AND AN EXCELLENT PHILOSOPHY. THEY TREAT WOMEN LIKE HUMAN BEGS, AND THEY WERE DOG THAT BACK THEN. IT FELT REALLY GOOD TO ... FEEL GOOD BEG A WOMAN, AND SARAH LAWRENCE HAD A LOT TO DO WH HELPG ME FEEL THAT WAY."DISVERG HER SEXUAL ORIENTATNIT WAS ALSO AT SARAH LAWRENCE THAT GORE REALIZED THAT SHE WAS A LBIAN. BEFORE LLEGE, SHE LATER EXPLAED, SHE SIMPLY HAD NEVER HAD THE TIME TO EXAME HER TE FEELGS. "I HAD BOYIENDS," SHE SAID. "I WAS SCHLED TO GET MARRIED ... ALL OF THAT WAS PART OF THE AGENDA AT THE TIME ... PART OF THE PROBLEM THAT I HAD ... WAS BEG OUT THE PUBLIC. IT WAS HARD TO EVEN EXPLORE . I WASN'T EVEN LEFT THAT OPPORTUNY. WHEN I TALK TO SOME OF MY GAY WOMEN IENDS NOW WHO MIGHT JT BE A LTLE B OLR THAN ME, THEY WOULD E OM [LONG] ISLAND OR NEW JERSEY, AND THEY WOULD PUT ON THEIR BLACK LEVIS AND BLACK JACKETS AND N TO THE BARS. I WASN'T QUE ABLE TO DO THAT." THOUGH GORE DID NOT E OUT AS GAY UNTIL AFTER THE HEYDAY OF HER FAME HAD PASSED, SHE SAYS SHE NEVER NCEALED OM THE PEOPLE WHO WERE CLOSE TO HER: "I JT TRIED TO LIVE AS NORMALLY AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE. BUT AS TTHFULLY AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE."SONGWRGAFTER LLEGE, GORE NTUED TO RELEASE SGL BUT ALSO BEGAN TO EXPLORE OTHER CREATIVE AVENU, CLUDG TELEVISN AND STAGE PERFORMANC. SHE ONCE GUT-STARRED ON THE H TV SHOW BATMAN AS PSYT, LIP-SYNCHG "CALIFORNIA NIGHTS" THE EPISO. AS THE 1970S PROGRSED, GORE MOVED OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT TO PURSUE SONGWRG. DROPPED OM MERCURY RERD 1969 DUE TO WANG RERD SAL, GORE WAS EE TO WRE HER OWN SONGS STEAD OF PERFORMG SOMEONE ELSE'S. "THAT'S WHAT GOT ME TO THE PIANO," SHE SAID. "THAT'S WHAT GOT ME UP THE MORNG: A BLANK PIECE OF PAPER AND A HOPE TO HAVE SOMETHG BY THE END OF THE DAY." IN 1972, GORE RELEASED HER FIRST ALBUM FOR A NEW LABEL, MOWT. ENTLED SOMEPLACE ELSE NOW, THE SONGS REFLECTED HER EVOLUTN AS A SONGWRER AND A PERSON. SHE FOLLOWED WH LOVE ME BY NAME 1976 AND THE CANVAS CAN DO MIRACL 1982. IN THE '80S, SHE ALSO WROTE SONGS FOR THE H MOVIE FAME. ONE OF THE TRACKS, "OUT HERE ON MY OWN," A POWERFUL ANTHEM THAT SHE WROTE WH HER YOUNGER BROTHER, MICHAEL, WAS NOMATED FOR AN AMY AWARD. AROUND THE SAME TIME, SHE FELL LOVE WH THE WOMAN WHO WOULD BEE HER LIFE PARTNER.PERSONAL LIFEMOSTLY NTENT TO DROP OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT, GORE DID NOT RELEASE AN ALBUM OR SGLE BETWEEN 1982 AND 2005. TOWARD THE END OF THIS TIME, SHE BEGAN HOSTG EPISOS OF A PBS DOCUMENTARY SERI LLED IN THE LIFE, FOCG ON GAY AND LBIAN ISSU. SHE OFFICIALLY ME OUT TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE ON THE SHOW, SOMETHG SHE SAID HER WORK ON THE SHOW SPIRED HER TO DO: "I MET A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE THE MIDWT, AND I SAW WHAT A DIFFERENCE A SHOW LIKE IN THE LIFE N MAKE TO THEIR LIV SOME OF THE SMALL TOWNS WHERE, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE PROBABLY TWO GAY PEOPLE THE WHOLE DAMN TOWN."FAL YEARS AND DEATHIN 2005, GORE RELEASED A EBACK ALBUM, EVER SCE, WHICH WAS PRAISED BY CRICS AND FEATURED THE SOUNDTRACKS TO SEVERAL MOVI AND TELEVISN SHOWS, CLUDG CSI AND THE L WORD. GORE DIED OF LUNG NCER ON FEBARY 16, 2015 AT THE AGE OF 68. SHE HAD LIVED HER NATIVE NEW YORK CY WH HER PARTNER OF OVER 30 YEARS, LOIS SASSON, AND THEIR DOG. "SHE WAS A WONRFUL HUMAN BEG — RG, GIVG, A GREAT FEMIST, GREAT WOMAN, GREAT HUMAN BEG, GREAT HUMANARIAN," SASSON TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRS. "THE BT PART OF WHAT I DO NOW IS GETTG UP ONT OF AN DIENCE AND DOG MY SHOW," SHE SAID. "THE GETTG THERE IS WHAT IS A HORROR: THE TRAVEL TO THE AIRPORT, GETTG TO THE GIG, THE PREP TIME. AFTER 44 YEARS, DON'T HOLD TOO MUCH GLAMOUR FOR ME. BUT THE MOMENT THAT THE EMCEE SAYS, 'THE ONE AND ONLY LLEY GORE,' I AM SO THAT MOMENT. IT'S LIKE AN ATHLETE -- YOU'VE GOT TO BE FEELG GOOD, AND YOU GET AROUND OM PLACE TO PLACE. IT'S THE ULTIMATE REALY."{BORR:0;BORR-BOTTOM:TH SOLID BLACK;MARG:1.875REM 0;CLEAR:BOTH;}QUICK FACTS
- LOIS SASSON, QUIET FORCE GAY AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS, DI AT 80
LLEY {LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:600;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:0.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.25REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}} A{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;} A:HOVER{LOR:#A00000;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}LLEY GORE WAS A SGER-SONGWRER KNOWN FOR HER 1963 SMASH SGLE "IT'S MY PARTY." GORE ALSO SRED HS WH "MAYBE I KNOW" AND "YOU DON'T OWN ME."{LOR:#323232;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;} SPAN{FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;}{FONT-STYLE:NORMAL;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.3;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;TEXT-TRANSFORM:PALIZE;}{DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;MARG-LEFT:0.625REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}UPDATED: NOV 30, {DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;}{MARG-BOTTOM:0.9375REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 64REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(100VW - (1REM * 2));MARG-LEFT:1REM;MARG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(-1 * 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - (LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 2 * 1REM)) / -2);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 90REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / 2);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / -2) - 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 2);MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 + 1REM)) / -2) - LC(2 * 1REM));}[DATA-HAS-SPONSOR] {MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);MARG-RIGHT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);}}{JTIFY-SELF:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG-LEFT:-50VW;MARG-RIGHT:-50VW;WIDTH:100VW;LEFT:50%;RIGHT:50%;}}{HEIGHT:TO;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO LC(50% - 50VW);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO;}}{POSN:RELATIVE;HEIGHT:TO;}{POSN:RELATIVE;--POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:TO;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:TO;} A{POSN:ABSOLUTE;}{POSN:RELATIVE;WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;VERTIL-ALIGN:TOP;}{BACKGROUND:#C92228;BOTTOM:0;PADDG:.5REM;RIGHT:0;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG:0.39REM;}}{DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:1REM;WIDTH:1REM;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{WIDTH:1.063REM;HEIGHT:1.063REM;}}{LE-HEIGHT:1;MARG-TOP:0.3125REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 73.75REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0.9375REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0;}}{LOR:#595959;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}PHOTO: MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIV/GETTY {FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{PADDG-LEFT:3.5REM;PADDG-RIGHT:3.5REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MAX-WIDTH:45.25REM;MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 73.75REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 100REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}} EM{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}{CLEAR:BOTH;NTENT:" ";DISPLAY:BLOCK;FONT-SIZE:0.7REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.5REM;HEIGHT:0REM;VISIBILY:HIDN;}{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;} EM{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}(1946-2015){LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:800;LETTER-SPACG:0.02EM;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;MARG-TOP:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}} B, STRONG{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM, I{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;}WHO WAS LLEY GORE?LLEY GORE'S FIRST AND MOST POPULAR H, 1963'S "IT'S MY PARTY," REMAS HER LLG RD TODAY. HER VOICE BEME THE QUTSENTIAL SOUND FOR YOUTHFUL LONGG, AND SHE RERD SEVERAL OTHER HS THROUGHOUT THE 1960S, CLUDG "LOOK OF LOVE," "MAYBE I KNOW" AND "YOU DON'T OWN ME." GORE WAS LATER NOMATED FOR AN AMY AWARD FOR "OUT HERE ON MY OWN" FOR THE FILM FAME. GORE DIED OF LUNG NCER ON FEBARY 16, 2015.EARLY LIFE AND FIRST H SONGSGER-SONGWRER LLEY GORE WAS BORN LLEY SUE GOLDSTE ON MAY 2, 1946, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. GORE GREW UP NEARBY TENAFLY, NEW JERSEY. SHE WAS ONLY 16 YEARS OLD WHEN SHE WAS DISVERED BY LEGENDARY MIC PRODUCER, {-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:#A00000;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;}{LOR:#595959;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}QUCY JON. THOUGH SEVERAL VERSNS OF THE STORY OF THEIR SPIC MEETG EXIST — ONE SOURCE SAID THAT THEY MET AT A PARTY, WHILE ANOTHER CLAIMS THAT JON SAW GORE SGG A HOTEL — GORE HERSELF REMEMBERS THAT HAPPENED THROUGH A STRG OF LUCKY NNECTNS. AS GORE RELLED, "THE SHORT STORY AND THE TTH IS THAT I WAS TAKG VOL LSONS HERE NEW YORK ... ONE DAY, STEAD OF MY LSON, THE PIANO PLAYER AND I WENT TO A STUD ... AND WE PUT DOWN SOME MOS ... THOSE MOS GOT TO QUCY JON THROUGH AN AGENT ... HE LISTENED TO THEM, HE LLED ME, AND WE STARTED TO RERD." GORE ULD NOT HAVE BEGUN HER MIC REER WH A BETTER TEAM BEHD HER. HER FIRST SGLE, 1963'S "IT'S MY PARTY (AND I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO)," WAS ARRANGED BY FAMED BRILL BUILDG SONGWRER ELLIE GREENWICH AND PRODUCED BY QUCY JON. THE SONG RONATED WH LNS OF TEENAGE GIRLS ACROSS AMERI, BEG AN OVERNIGHT SUCCS. GORE'S SUDN FAME WAS A LTLE OVERWHELMG: "WE RERD THE RERD ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON, MARCH 30TH, AND I HEARD THE RERD FOR THE FIRST TIME ON APRIL 6TH. I WAS DRIVG TO SCHOOL, LERALLY SEVEN DAYS LATER. YOU KNOW, THAT DON'T HAPPEN ANYMORE, SO WHEN STARTED GETTG PLAYED, WE WEREN'T PREPARED FOR . WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HAD BEEN RELEASED." "IT'S MY PARTY" SOARED TO THE TOP OF THE CHARTS AND H NO. 1 WH WEEKS. IN JUNE 1963, GORE RELEASED HER FIRST ALBUM WH MERCURY, ENTLED I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO, REACHG NO. 24 ON THE U.S. ALBUMS CHART. THOUGH GORE AND HER FAY TRIED TO LIVE NORMALLY SPE HER NEW CELEBRY, SOON, HOARDS OF FANS BEGAN LERALLY SHOWG UP ON HER ONT DOORSTEP: "YOU HAVE TO TAKE TO ACUNT THAT THIS WAS A LONG TIME AGO, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THGS LIKE ANSWERG MACH," GORE LATER SAID. "SO WHEN THE DISC JOCKEY ... WOULD SAY, 'THAT WAS LLEY GORE, THE SWEETIE PIE OM TENAFLY,' WELL, PEOPLE JT ME TO TENAFLY. YOU KNOW, I'D WAKE UP AND THERE WERE PEOPLE MPED OUT ON THE GRASS." DPE ALL THE ATTENTN, GORE STAYED SCHOOL AND STUDIED HARD WHILE NTUG TO NURTURE HER MIC REER. HER NEXT SGLE, "JUDY'S TURN TO CRY," WAS A KD OF SEQUEL STORY TO "IT'S MY PARTY" AND REACHED NO. 5 ON THE CHARTS.EARLY CAREER AND SONGSOVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, WHILE SHE REMAED HIGH SCHOOL, GORE RELEASED A STRG OF BUBBLE-GUM HS LIKE "SHE'S A FOOL," "THAT'S THE WAY BOYS ARE," "LOOK OF LOVE," "SUNSHE, LOLLIPOPS, AND RABOWS" AND "MY TOWN, MY GUY, AND ME." ONE SONG THAT STOOD OUT OM THE RT, HOWEVER, WAS "YOU DON'T OWN ME," AN UNAPOLOGETIC CLARATN THAT WOMEN ARE NOT OBJECTS THAT MEN N POSSS AND NTROL. PERHAPS IRONILLY, THE SONG WAS ACTUALLY WRTEN BY MALE SONGWRG DUO JOHN MARA AND DAVE WHE, BUT GORE'S POWERFUL VOLS AND PASSN FOR THE LYRICS SPIRED TEENAGE GIRLS TO NOT LET BOYS PH THEM AROUND. THE SONG HELD STEADY AT NO. 2 FOR WEEKS, SURPASSED ONLY BY THE BEATL WORLD-CHANGG SMASH, "I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND." AS GORE EXPLAED THE RERD: "WHEN I FIRST HEARD THAT SONG AT THE AGE OF 16 OR 17, FEMISM WASN'T QUE A GOG PROPOSN YET. SOME PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT , BUT WASN'T ANY KD OF STATE AT THE TIME. MY TAKE ON THAT SONG WAS: I'M 17, WHAT A WONRFUL THG, TO BE ABLE TO STAND UP ON A STAGE AND SHAKE YOUR FGER AT PEOPLE AND SG YOU DON'T OWN ME." GORE HAD TO LOOK FAR AND WI TO FD FEMALE MENTORS THE MALE-DOMATED RERD DTRY OF 1960S AMERI. ONE WHO SPIRED HER WAS FEMIST LAWYER AND POLICIAN BELLA ABZUG, WHO BEME A CLOSE IEND. WHEN BETTE MIDLER, DIANE KEATON AND GOLDIE HAWN VERED "YOU DON'T OWN ME" FOR THE 1996 EDY THE FIRST WIV CLUB — A FILM ABOUT WOMEN TAKG REVENGE ON THEIR CHEATG, LYG AND MANIPULATIVE EX-HBANDS — THE ANTHEM FOUND A NEW LEASE ON LIFE FOR A YOUNGER GENERATN OF FANS.EDUTNAFTER GRADUATG OM HIGH SCHOOL, GORE NTUED TO PURSUE MIC BUT DID NOT LET HER REER GET THE WAY OF HIGHER TN. SHE ATTEND SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE, AN ALL-FEMALE UNIVERSY, AND RERVED SUMMERS AND HOLIDAYS FOR PERFORMANC, RERDG SSNS AND TOURS. LATER THE 1960S, GORE RELEASED SGL SUCH AS "TREAT ME LIKE A LADY," "HE GIV ME LOVE (LA, LA, LA)" AND "CALIFORNIA NIGHTS," BUT SHE REMAED MORE FOCED ON STUDYG THAN PERFORMG, A MOVE THAT ULTIMATELY SLOWED DOWN HER REER. AT SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE, GORE TOOK URS LERATURE AND DRAMA, ENJOYG EVERY MUTE OF : "I WAS A GOOD STUNT AND I ENJOYED SCHOOL," GORE LATER SAID OF HER EXPERIENCE AT THE SCHOOL. "THE MP WAS KD OF LIKE A HAVEN FOR ME. A BETIFUL SCHOOL AND AN EXCELLENT PHILOSOPHY. THEY TREAT WOMEN LIKE HUMAN BEGS, AND THEY WERE DOG THAT BACK THEN. IT FELT REALLY GOOD TO ... FEEL GOOD BEG A WOMAN, AND SARAH LAWRENCE HAD A LOT TO DO WH HELPG ME FEEL THAT WAY."DISVERG HER SEXUAL ORIENTATNIT WAS ALSO AT SARAH LAWRENCE THAT GORE REALIZED THAT SHE WAS A LBIAN. BEFORE LLEGE, SHE LATER EXPLAED, SHE SIMPLY HAD NEVER HAD THE TIME TO EXAME HER TE FEELGS. "I HAD BOYIENDS," SHE SAID. "I WAS SCHLED TO GET MARRIED ... ALL OF THAT WAS PART OF THE AGENDA AT THE TIME ... PART OF THE PROBLEM THAT I HAD ... WAS BEG OUT THE PUBLIC. IT WAS HARD TO EVEN EXPLORE . I WASN'T EVEN LEFT THAT OPPORTUNY. WHEN I TALK TO SOME OF MY GAY WOMEN IENDS NOW WHO MIGHT JT BE A LTLE B OLR THAN ME, THEY WOULD E OM [LONG] ISLAND OR NEW JERSEY, AND THEY WOULD PUT ON THEIR BLACK LEVIS AND BLACK JACKETS AND N TO THE BARS. I WASN'T QUE ABLE TO DO THAT." THOUGH GORE DID NOT E OUT AS GAY UNTIL AFTER THE HEYDAY OF HER FAME HAD PASSED, SHE SAYS SHE NEVER NCEALED OM THE PEOPLE WHO WERE CLOSE TO HER: "I JT TRIED TO LIVE AS NORMALLY AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE. BUT AS TTHFULLY AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE."SONGWRGAFTER LLEGE, GORE NTUED TO RELEASE SGL BUT ALSO BEGAN TO EXPLORE OTHER CREATIVE AVENU, CLUDG TELEVISN AND STAGE PERFORMANC. SHE ONCE GUT-STARRED ON THE H TV SHOW BATMAN AS PSYT, LIP-SYNCHG "CALIFORNIA NIGHTS" THE EPISO. AS THE 1970S PROGRSED, GORE MOVED OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT TO PURSUE SONGWRG. DROPPED OM MERCURY RERD 1969 DUE TO WANG RERD SAL, GORE WAS EE TO WRE HER OWN SONGS STEAD OF PERFORMG SOMEONE ELSE'S. "THAT'S WHAT GOT ME TO THE PIANO," SHE SAID. "THAT'S WHAT GOT ME UP THE MORNG: A BLANK PIECE OF PAPER AND A HOPE TO HAVE SOMETHG BY THE END OF THE DAY." IN 1972, GORE RELEASED HER FIRST ALBUM FOR A NEW LABEL, MOWT. ENTLED SOMEPLACE ELSE NOW, THE SONGS REFLECTED HER EVOLUTN AS A SONGWRER AND A PERSON. SHE FOLLOWED WH LOVE ME BY NAME 1976 AND THE CANVAS CAN DO MIRACL 1982. IN THE '80S, SHE ALSO WROTE SONGS FOR THE H MOVIE FAME. ONE OF THE TRACKS, "OUT HERE ON MY OWN," A POWERFUL ANTHEM THAT SHE WROTE WH HER YOUNGER BROTHER, MICHAEL, WAS NOMATED FOR AN AMY AWARD. AROUND THE SAME TIME, SHE FELL LOVE WH THE WOMAN WHO WOULD BEE HER LIFE PARTNER.PERSONAL LIFEMOSTLY NTENT TO DROP OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT, GORE DID NOT RELEASE AN ALBUM OR SGLE BETWEEN 1982 AND 2005. TOWARD THE END OF THIS TIME, SHE BEGAN HOSTG EPISOS OF A PBS DOCUMENTARY SERI LLED IN THE LIFE, FOCG ON GAY AND LBIAN ISSU. SHE OFFICIALLY ME OUT TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE ON THE SHOW, SOMETHG SHE SAID HER WORK ON THE SHOW SPIRED HER TO DO: "I MET A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE THE MIDWT, AND I SAW WHAT A DIFFERENCE A SHOW LIKE IN THE LIFE N MAKE TO THEIR LIV SOME OF THE SMALL TOWNS WHERE, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE PROBABLY TWO GAY PEOPLE THE WHOLE DAMN TOWN."FAL YEARS AND DEATHIN 2005, GORE RELEASED A EBACK ALBUM, EVER SCE, WHICH WAS PRAISED BY CRICS AND FEATURED THE SOUNDTRACKS TO SEVERAL MOVI AND TELEVISN SHOWS, CLUDG CSI AND THE L WORD. GORE DIED OF LUNG NCER ON FEBARY 16, 2015 AT THE AGE OF 68. SHE HAD LIVED HER NATIVE NEW YORK CY WH HER PARTNER OF OVER 30 YEARS, LOIS SASSON, AND THEIR DOG. "SHE WAS A WONRFUL HUMAN BEG — RG, GIVG, A GREAT FEMIST, GREAT WOMAN, GREAT HUMAN BEG, GREAT HUMANARIAN," SASSON TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRS. "THE BT PART OF WHAT I DO NOW IS GETTG UP ONT OF AN DIENCE AND DOG MY SHOW," SHE SAID. "THE GETTG THERE IS WHAT IS A HORROR: THE TRAVEL TO THE AIRPORT, GETTG TO THE GIG, THE PREP TIME. AFTER 44 YEARS, DON'T HOLD TOO MUCH GLAMOUR FOR ME. BUT THE MOMENT THAT THE EMCEE SAYS, 'THE ONE AND ONLY LLEY GORE,' I AM SO THAT MOMENT. IT'S LIKE AN ATHLETE -- YOU'VE GOT TO BE FEELG GOOD, AND YOU GET AROUND OM PLACE TO PLACE. IT'S THE ULTIMATE REALY."{BORR:0;BORR-BOTTOM:TH SOLID BLACK;MARG:1.875REM 0;CLEAR:BOTH;}QUICK FACTS
Ms. Sasson, a jewelry signer and the partner of the sger Lley Gore, was an advote for femism, gay rights and more. She died of Covid-19. * leslie gore gay *
When I talk to some of my gay women iends now who might jt be a ltle b olr than me, they would e om [Long] Island or New Jersey, and they would put on their black Levis and black jackets and n to the bars. " Though Gore did not e out as gay until after the heyday of her fame had passed, she says she never ncealed om the people who were close to her: "I jt tried to live as normally as humanly possible.
LOIS SASSON, QUIET FORCE GAY AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS, DI AT 80
Toward the end of this time, she began hostg episos of a PBS documentary seri lled In the Life, focg on gay and lbian issu. She officially me out to the public at large on the show, somethg she said her work on the show spired her to do: "I met a lot of young people the Midwt, and I saw what a difference a show like In the Life n make to their liv some of the small towns where, you know, there are probably two gay people the whole damn town.
CITATION INFORMATIONArticle Tle: Lley Gore BgraphyAuthor: EdorsWebse Name: The webseUrl: Date: Publisher: A&E; Televisn NetworksLast Updated: November 30, 2021Origal Published Date: April 2, 2014QUOTESThe more people unrstand that they probably already know a gay person, and fact adore them, then the better off we're gonna be—and that may take awhile, but 's happeng, for sure.