Lesley Gore, who became a breakthrough teen star with her 1963 hit It's My Party and emerged as an early feminist in music, died on Monday aged 68.
Her death was announced by her longtime lesbian partner, jewellery designer Lois Sasson, who said Gore died of lung cancer at a New York hospital.
Born Lesley Goldstein, Gore was a middle-class teenager when, as legend has it, a recording of hers from a singing lesson found its way to music producer Quincy Jones.
Jones was soon visiting her family home in New Jersey and persuaded her to sing It's My Party, which had already been recorded by the English jazz singer Helen Shapiro.
Built up with studio effects including a doubling of Gore's voice and additional horns, It's My Party turned the 16-year-old into an early pop sensation.
The lyrics have become quotable for generations of Americans charmed by the song's tale of a girl stood up by a boyfriend who leaves with a rival.