Wonderland Burlesque's Down The Rabbit Hole: Lene Lovich

Wonderland Burlesque's 

Down The Rabbit Hole: 

Lana Pellay

Down The Rabbit Hole merely places a spotlight on something slightly unusual that's caught my interest. With the help of Wikipedia, YouTube, and other sites, I gather information and learn something new.

Today, we take a look at the work and history of the multi-talented performer Lana Pellay.

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From Wikipedia and other sources:

Lene Lovich is an American-British singer and animal rights activist known for her interesting stage fashion and unique vocals. She first gained attention in 1979 with the release of her hit single Lucky Number, which peaked at #3 on the UK Singles Chart and made her a leading figure of the new wave music scene. To this day, she continues to have a very devoted fanbase.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Lovich moved to England at the age of 13, where she met guitarist and songwriter Les Chappell, who later became her long-time music collaborator and life partner. She developed an interest in art and theater, enrolling at the Central School of Art and Design in the autumn of 1968, where she took saxophone lessons. She would spend the next seven years performing and writing in various capacities, more on the fringe of the entertainment world; she danced as both a go-go girl and an oriental dancer, visited Salvador Dali at his home in Spain, and dabbled in various theatrical productions. 

In 1975, she joined the band the Diversions and shortly afterwards wrote the lyrics to Cerrone's single Supernature. The Diversion released three singles and an album on Polydor Records without success. After the band broke up, Lovich started looking for another band to join and contacted the radio presenter Charlie Gillett, who got her to record a demo of Tommy James and the Shondells' song I Think We're Alone Now and played it to Dave Robinson of Stiff Records, who decided to sign Lovich. The song was released as a single and appeared on her debut studio album Stateless (1978), which produced the single Lucky Number.

Lovich's musical style combined her own quirky inventions with contemporary punk rock and new wave styles.

She released two more albums, Flex (1979) and No Man's Land (1982), on Stiff Records, as well as the EP New Toy, featuring the title song written by Thomas Dolby. 

Lovich co-wrote with Chappell and Chris Judge Smith and performed Mata Hari, a play/musical at the Lyric Hammersmith, London in October and November 1982. During this time she was having disputes with Stiff. The success of the show and pressure from Epic, her U.S. label, persuaded Stiff to release and promote No Man's Land.

After leaving Stiff, she independently released the sing Don't Kill The Animals with Nina Hagen and began making concert appearances on behalf of the organization PETA. 

In 1989, she independently released the album March - which contained the US dance hit Wonderland - before taking a 15-year recording hiatus. She completed several tours of the US and contributed to several projects. After having focused on her family, she came back in 2005 with the release of her album Shadows and Dust. In 2013, she established her own publishing label, Flex Music, and released a re-mastered version of all her previous albums in a limited edition box set. She continues to make occasional live appearances and as well as contributing to various music projects.

Lucky Number - Lene Lovich

Say When - Lene Lovich

Bird Song - Lene Lovich

New Toy - Lene Lovich

It's You, Only You (Mein Schmerz) - Lene Lovich

Don't Kill The Animals - Lene Lovich and Nina Hagen

Wonderland - Lene Lovich

(New York Extended Mix)

 

 

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