the rix mix

Met Lesley Gore & watched her perform at WFMU today. I've encountered many terrific musicians at the radio station, but rarely someone who has iconic stature* for me. Lesley earned that stature not with "It's My Party" or "Judy's Turn To Cry" - classics of Sixties girl group style pop, or even her appearances in "The T.A.M.I Show" & in "Ski Party" singing "Sunshine, Lollipops & Roses." to Frankie & Dwayne, but with "You Don't Own Me" - a dramatic anthem of independence that, while a bit too petulant to be fully proto-feminist, was an important lyrical statement as well as a great song. It's still a great song that Lesley loves singing. She's a sincere, classy & feisty (& diminutive) woman. Hard to believe this Jersey Girl's released her first new album in 30 years. Lesley never left show business.

*others include Sam Andrews, who was Janis Joplin's bandmate & lover, & Yogi Berra!