Lesley Gore, ‘It’s My Party’ Singer, Dies At 68

Lesley Gore, the pop singer best known for her hit single “It’s My Party,” died of cancer Monday morning in New York City. She was 68.

Lesley Gore Dies

Gore was signed to Mercury Records by Quincy Jones when she was just a junior in high school and soon released “It’s My Party,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. She followed up the hit track with “Judy’s Turn to Cry.” During her partnership with Jones, Gore also released the popular “She’s a Fool,” “You Don’t Own Me,” “Maybe I Know” and “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows.”

In 1967, Gore teamed up with Bob Crewe to write “California Nights. That same year, she played a member of Catwoman’s gang in the Batman TV series.

Gore put her music career on the back burner throughout the 70s. However, she collaborated with her brother Michael Gore on the track “Out Here On My Own” for the Fame soundtrack in 1980. The song was nominated for an Academy Award, but lost out in the Best Original Song category to her brother’s “Fame.”

Gore’s last studio album was 2005’s Ever Since.

Gore is survived by her longtime partner Lois Sasson.