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'It's My Party' singer Lesley Gore dies at 68

By Danielle Haynes

NEW YORK, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Lesley Gore, the singer of the 1960s hit "It's My Party," died of Monday in New York. She was 68.

She died of cancer at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

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At age 17, Gore recorded the Quincy Jones-produced "It's My Party" over the course of an afternoon.

"When we left the studio, everyone was pleased, but even the president of the company, a wonderful father-like figure, Irving Green, said, 'Now, sweetheart, if this never gets released, I don't want you to be disappointed.' And I said, 'It's okay, this has been a great experience. I enjoyed it and I thank you for that, and it's okay if you never release it.' I never thought it would see the light of day," she said in 2005 interview.

One week later and her first song was being played on the radio.

She later had four Top 5 singles in 1963, including "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows," "She's a Fool" and "You Don't Own me."

Her 1976 comeback album wasn't as successful and she later wrote lyrics for her brother, Michael Gore, for Fame. She was nominated for an Academy Award for one of the songs.

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Gore also took a turn at acting with the role of Pussycat in 1967's "Batman" on ABC.

Gore is survived by her longtime partner, Lois Sasson, her mother and brother.

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