Singer-songwriter Lesley Gore, who topped the charts in 1963 at age 16 with her epic song of teenage angst, "It's My Party," and followed it up with the hits "Judy's Turn to Cry," and the feminist anthem "You Don't Own Me," died Monday. She was 68.
Gore died of lung cancer at New York University Langone Medical Center in Manhattan, according to her partner of 33 years, Lois Sasson.
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She officially came out to the public when she hosted several episodes of the PBS series, "In The Life," which dealt with gay and lesbian issues.
During the 2012 presidential campaign, Gore turned "You Don't Own Me" into an online video public service announcement demanding reproductive rights which starred Lena Dunham and Tavi Gevinson, among others
In the last few years, she performed at Feinstein's at the Loews Regency in New York and, along with Ronnie Spector and LaLa Brooks, headlined the "She's Got the Power" concert outdoors at Lincoln Center in 2012.
So sad. She's amazing. I still remember the excitement when I first heard Judy's Turn To Cry and realized it was a sequel to It's My Party. I had no idea songs could have follow-ups, or could tell such effective stories in such deceptively simple lyrics. I remember imagining the most vivid party scene, with Johnny and Judy sneaking off into the bushes, and it's crazy to look back at the lyrics and see how that's all just suggested with simple words and phrases.
Of course, now that I'm older I see that she should be mad at Johnny for running off with Judy, not mad at her friend for "stealing" her man, but whatever, she was 16.
I was literally listening to You Don't Own Me and It's My Party not two hours ago. What the **** 
