Songwriter

Died On This Date (February 16, 2015) Lesley Gore / Had Iconic Hit with “It’s My Party”

themusicsover February 16, 2015 1 Comment

Lesley Gore (Born Lesley Goldstein)
May 2, 1946 – February 16, 2015

lesley-gore Born in New York City, Lesley Gore was just 16 years old when she recorded her first, and biggest hit, “It’s My Party,” a song that helped define her generation. Several major hits followed including, “You Don’t Own Me,” “Judy’s Turn To Cry,” and “She’s A Fool.” In 1965, Gore received a Grammy nomination for “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows,” and another nominations came 1981, but this time as a co-writer for “Out Here On My Own,” from the immensely popular Fame soundtrack. Gore acted in several television shows throughout her career as well, most notably, portraying Pussycat, one of Catwoman’s cohorts, in two episodes of Batman. Gore continued to tour well into the ’90s and released what would become her final album, the critically acclaimed Ever Since, in 2005. Lesley Gore lost her battle with cancer on February 16, 2015. She was 68.

What You Should Own

Musician New Wave Pop Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (February 12, 2015) Steve Strange / Lead Singer Of Visage

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Steve Strange (Born Steven Harrington)
May 28, 1959 – February 12, 2015

steve-strange Steve Strange is perhaps best remembered as the front man for the popular ’80s new wave band, Visage. Like many young people in the UK during the mid ’70s, Strange couldn’t resist the pull of punk rock. After witnessing a Sex Pistols show in 1976, he began setting up gigs for punk bands in and around his Welsh neighborhood. Soon thereafter, he formed his own punk band, the Moors Murderers that counted future Pretenders leader Chrissie Hynde and future Clash drummer, Topper Headon, as members during it’s rather short lifespan. Strange soon moved to London where he worked for Malcolm McLaren before forming Visage in 1978. The group helped pioneer the New Romantic movement which also included such acts as Duran Duran, Culture Club and Spandau Ballet. Visage’s second single, 1980’s “Fade To Grey,” was a big hit across the UK and beyond. More hit singles and albums followed until Strange closed the initial chapter on the band in 1985. During the late ’80s and early ’90s, Strange developed into a popular club DJ, helping to popularize the trance movement in its early days. In 2004, he reformed Visage which continued on in one form or another through the remainder of his life. Steve Strange passed away following a heart attack on February 12, 2015. He was 55.

What You Should Own

Manager Musician Producer Publishing Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 15, 2015) Kim Fowley / American Musician, Producer & Manager

themusicsover January 15, 2015 2 Comments

Kim Fowley
July 21, 1939 – January 15, 2015

Kim Fowley was an American producer, musician, singer, songwriter, manager, disc jockey, music publisher, and film maker who is perhaps best remembered for forming and managing the Runaways. And legend has it that he was the one who created the phenomenon of lighting one’s match/lighter at a concert. Born in Los Angeles, Fowley got into the music business during the ’60s, initially producing and publishing novelty hits like “Alley Oop” by the Hollywood Argyles (which was basically just Fowley with mostly anonymous studio musicians) and “Popsicles and Icicles” by the Murmaids. The list of artists he either produce or write/co-write songs reads like a who’s who of ’70s rock and pop. That list includes Gene Vincent, KISS, Warren Zevon, Cat Stevens, Helen Reddy, Alice Cooper, the Byrds, and Kris Kristofferson. In 1975, he met Joan Jett who was looking to put an all-girl band together. A couple of weeks later, he met Sandy West outside of The Rainbow Bar and Grill on Sunset Blvd. Fowley gave Jett’s phone number to West, and the Ruaways were born. In 2010, Fowley was portrayed by Michael Shannon in the film, The Runaways. During his final years, he could be heard sharing his vast knowledge of pop music and pop culture via his regular program on Little Steven’s Underground Garage on SiriusXM. Kim Fowley was 75 when he died of bladder cancer on January 15, 2015.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

What You Should Own

Gospel Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (January 8, 2015) Andrae Crouch / The Father of Modern Gospel Music

themusicsover January 8, 2015 1 Comment

Andrae Crouch
July 1, 1942 – January 8, 2015

andrae-crouch Andrae Crouch was a Gospel music pioneer in that he almost single-handedly crossed it over to the mainstream over the course of his career. Crouch took to music at an early age, and had already written his first Gospel song by the time he was 14. In 1960, he formed his first group, the Church of God in Christ Singers, that also counted Billy Preston as a member. That lead to the Disciples which lasted until 1979, when Crouch went on to his successful solo career. His best known songs are “My Tribute (To God Be the Glory),” “Soon and Very Soon,” and “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.” Over the years, Crouch collaborated with the likes of Elton John, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Madonna (to name just a few). He also contributed original music to several films and television shows, most notably, The Lion King and The Color Purple, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination. Throughout a career that spanned nearly 50 years, he won seven Grammys, four Dove Awards, and numerous other accolades. Andrae Crouch was 72 when he died on January 8, 2015 while in the hospital after suffering a heart attack five days earlier.