On tonight's Friday Night Bandstand, Zoomer Radio's music director Brian Peroff will be celebrating those happy teen years of the rock n' roll generation by featuring pop singer Lesley Gore, who hit the big time with her single "It's My Party".

Although Lesley's popularity began to fade by the end of the 60s, she continued to surround herself with music - by writing new songs, performing at concerts and in cabarets and even making a few television appearances. 

In light of Lesley's 65th birthday this year, here's our tribute to the woman whose music goes far beyond crying at teenage parties.

Here are 10 Things You Didn't Know About Lesley Gore:

1. Lesley was discovered by producer Quincy Jones in 1963, when Lesley was just 16. He signed her to a recording contract and produced her most famous song, 'It's My Party' (via The Classic Rock and Roll Reader).

2. Lesley was nominated for an Oscar for the song 'Out Here On My Own' from the 1980 musical Fame, which she co-wrote with her brother Michael (via The Advocate)

3. In 2005, Lesley announced that she is a lesbian - though she hasn't kept it a secret, she didn't feel the need to come out on the record.

"On the record? Well, you know, it’s funny. I just never found it was necessary because I really never kept my life private. Those who knew me, those who worked with me were well aware."  (via After Ellen)

4. Lesley released her first new album in 30 years in 2005 - called 'Ever Since', influenced by the jazz singers she grew up listening to, like Nina Simone and Dinah Washington (via NYTimes).

5. Lesley appeared as 'Pussycat', one of Catwoman's sidekicks, on two episodes of the Batman TV series in 1967 (it just so happens that her uncle Howie Horwitz was the producer). She debuted her single 'California Nights' on the episode titled 'That Darn Catwoman'.

Related: [VIDEO] Lesley Gore Compilation

6. Since 2004, Lesley has been a guest host for the PBS series In The Life - the first national television program to feature the faces, voices and stories behind the issues shaping the LGBT experience. (via In The Life). 

7. When she was 21, Lesley became a Robert Kennedy supporter - she volunteered to become head of Kennedy's effort to attract young voters, called "First Voters for Kennedy" (via Pop History Dig).

8. She listens to Eminem: "I've listened to Eminem rap. That's not daily fare for me, but I can't help but admire how vivid what he does is."

9. Lesley's 1964 protofeminist anthem "You Don't Own Me" was recorded in several other languages, including the German version "Goodbye Tony" and French version "Je Ne Sais Plus", both sung by Lesley Gore herself. 

10. Lesley debuted her song 'Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows' in the 1965 film Ski Party (James Brown also appeared in the film and sang 'I Feel Good'). 

Related: [BLOGS] Flashback Friday: 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Drifters

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