It’s my Party Singer Lesley Gore dies at 68

Singer-songwriter Lesley Gore, who topped the US charts with It's My Party aged 16 in 1963 has died, aged 68, BBC News reported.

Her partner of 33 years, Lois Sasson, confirmed she had died of lung cancer at a New York city hospital.
Gore's hits include feminist anthem You Don't Own Me and the Oscar-nominated Out Here On My Own from 1980 film Fame.

"She was a wonderful human being - caring, giving, a great feminist, great woman, great human being, great humanitarian," Sasson told AP.

Gore was discovered by Quincy Jones as a teenager and signed to Mercury Records, before going on to record tracks including Judy's Turn to Cry, She's A Fool, Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows, That's the Way Boys Are and Maybe I Know.

Singer Neil Sedaka, who she opened for on several occasions and who attended her Sweet 16th birthday party, paid tribute on Facebook, calling her "a great person and a phenomenal talent".

"I fondly remember attending her Sweet Sixteen party in New Jersey. She recorded a few of my songs (Magic Colors and Summer Symphony) and was a great songwriter in her own right. I'm glad I had the chance of knowing her," said Sedaka.

The track You Don't Own Me, later covered by Dusty Springfield, The Blow Monkeys and a trio including Bette Midler in the movie The First Wives Club, embraced feminism way ahead of its time.

During the 2012 presidential campaign, Gore teamed up with Girls creator Lena Dunham and blogger-turned-actress Tavi Gevinson to turn You Don't Own Me into an online video public service announcement demanding reproductive rights for women.