Wednesday, August 5, 2020

PUSSY


I love me some pussy. After the legendary Sylvester, and before RuPaul hit the seen big , there was a queen who filled that void in the late eighties and 90's  who in many respects,  really started giving drag a different spin with the style, taking it away from the campy look, and dared to even sing his own creations instead of lip synching.  Pussy Tourette was another of my role models, who simply just captivated my adoration and attention. One out spoken queen who gave two fucks what people thought of his drag. 

Pussy Tourette was this queens stage name, and was in addition a composer and singer. Pussy was a very cute boy and had his beginnings as a go-go dancer in the San Francisco's teeming underground scene. It wasn't long before Tourette was one of the hottest boy dancers, and one of the sauciest acts on the city's cabaret scene when she started singing her original compositions live. After that Pussy Tourette was born and a club diva emerged. While she was huge on the west coast, she mostly was only known to the rest of the country in the club scene, even though she did pretty well here on the east coast. If you had a good talented club owner,  and dj, then you heard a Pussy track played on the dance floor. One such track for me was her song Kiss, with  many cameos from Sister Roma and Sister Unity, Frenhie Rivera and more. It was also a song I did once or twice myself. Boys loved this song. I so enjoyed the lyrics of it.  Rarely was Pussy seen anywhere without her two backup singers and female friends.

 The song that STILL gets me..... 

Touring nationally had helped her develop nothing less than a fanatical following. Five of Tourette's songs were featured in Sex Is, which won the Best Gay Film Award at the Berlin International Film Festival. Pussy went on to do I believe 4 albums of music. She was best known for her song French Bitch. The song was a comedic high camp dance track about the duplicitous title character who "stole my man" cause she felt the need to scratch an itch, and it was implied the character was an over sea's trans woman.


In 94 Pussy won San Francisco's Cable Car Award for Entertainer of the Year. And was no wonder. Pussy is one of those charismatic performers,  and was always in tow with the sauciest of cabaret acts. He knew how to captive and draw a crowd and generate a loyal and adulting fan base. His shows were not only entertaining, but that voice was just so different for the time and all his music was fresh for the time and danceable. Any self respecting drag queen should have his music in their collection, not to mention anyone who enjoys a good  dance beat and old school music  Most of his images and  music drips with inspirational and confrontational imagery that's unapologetic, and up front about life on the wild side. I would love getting pussified on the dance floor.

I even once found my own Pussy Tourette album at a vinatge stand once while shopping in a antiques mall. Not even opened yet.

Now IF I just knew SOMEONE  who had a turntable to listen to this on???
I'm  not sure why we don't hear more of her these days. To my knowledge she is still with us, just off the radar. In many respects yet another free thinker, great entertainer and was way ahead of her time.

26 comments:

  1. Did she actually have Tourette's? That would make things interesting for sure. I heard some Dead Or Alive the other day, and that is a trans person who could really sing. Try hitting that part in "you spin me right round" where he goes "I want your looooooooo-oh-oh-oh-ooooooooove!" It's a humdinger of note. Dude was no joke.

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    1. No Dr Kenneth...lol,lol,lol... I don't think he had Tourette's, just his idea of a memorable name. but I don't disagree. Dead or Alive?!?!? Yes, Pete could hit the notes....and kept the plastic surgeons in business.

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  2. Well, I got thru 18 seconds of the first song and 33 of the second one. Damn I'm dull! I do enjoy reading about all of these fascinating people though.

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    1. Tomorrows post I hope you be likable for you. I may need you for a back up dancer tootes.

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  3. Excellent post and a blast from the past. Amazes me how mnay sisters have never heard of her. Youngin's right? I loved her "what the fuck attitude."

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  4. OMG!!!!!!! I had forgotten all about the fabulous Pussy Tourette!!!! I saw her do Kiss and French Bitch in Chicago many years ago when I lived there. She was clubland royalty and could turn a dance floor out.

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    1. Now I am jealous. I would have loved to have seen her perform.

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  5. That first song will have me dancing the rest of the day now...it's excellent. With your attitude and persoanlity I can see why your are drawn to her and was a role model. You good/bad girl stick together.

    Makes me wonder if we will ever dance together in a club again together?

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    1. Awwwwww. Yes I miss going out dancing too.

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  6. Oh, my... you pulled this one out of the memory jar, hon. Amazing. Unfortunate Lover was my fave. I had completely forgotten about it. I had a friend who played it over and over as we got ready to go out ummm... hunting. In the old days! Those back up girls are to die for. You have support like that in your corner you can do anything. Thanks for this. Love it. And great info. History.

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    1. I didn't know how this post would go....I thought Pussy may be to obscure for anyone to remember her. Many I know never heard of her. You never cease to amaze me darling.

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  7. I have the first cd..one hell of a drag queen! I remember Kiss very well. This takes me back.

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  8. She was right up there with the creatives and shaking the scene with the likes of Holly Woodlawn, Candy Darling, Amanda Lepore and Mistress Formika. His androgynous look definitely set up a series of later queens. oh good times....

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    1. OMG BITCH. Mistress Formika!!!!!!! NOW THAT is a name I have not heard in ages henny.

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  9. Good history lesson!
    xoxo :-)

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  10. Love the name!
    Love the music! Very High-NRG/House. That first one is a bop!
    And you found that treasure vinyl while thrifting? Lucky girl!!
    Fantastic post.

    XOXO

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    1. It was a OH Happy Day moment when I found it. Now I just need a turntable. Kiss always gets me going!!!!!

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  11. Anonymous8/05/2020

    Enjoyed reading about Pussy.

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  12. oh thank goodness. it's was about the fabulous drag queen. here is thought your pussy contracted tourette's syndrome.

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  13. I love getting my drag history fix up in here!
    Thanks!

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  14. I have heard the name from queens who were here longer than I, but she was before my time. I loved both of the clips though. I feel as though I missed all the good club days. They sort of suck now.

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  15. Another great artist and brilliant name. I wonder what she’s doing now.

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  16. I love learning things through you.

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  17. Scott Lawrence10/21/2022

    I enjoyed reading your write-up on such a unique performer. I didn't become familiar with Pussy until the last 90's (I first heard a remix of 'Who Does She Think She Is' on a compilation called God Shave the Queen) and was instantly intrigued.

    I needed to collect anything I could get my hands on and pulled together a pretty cool little collection. Of course, I have both her full albums on CD: Pussy Tourette in HiFi and Who Does She Think She Is. Also on CD I have the Kiss / All My Misery and Outta My House remix EPs; as well as the Brand New Day single. On vinyl I have the French Bitch 12" and the Kiss / All My Misery EP.

    I was encouraged when she put out the Brand New Day single in 2005 and then the 4 track "EP1" in 2007 but have seen nothing from her since. She is one of a kind and really hope we see her return to the spotlight someday.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!