Tenacious spirited and insightful, there's more to sultry songstress Lonnie Gordon than meets the eye. Even as a child growing up in the Bronx, Lonnie has aspired to be a star. At the tender age of 14, she auditioned at the world-famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem. After being told that there were no more slots for singers, Lonnie decided to "wing it", and auditioned as a dancer. She came second place. Though singing was her first love, the multi-faceted performer refused to take "NO" for an answer that day and reflects that "I've always wanted to be onstage, performing in front of people".

   A spunky go-getter, Lonnie confesses she never had to work a 9-to-5 between performances. "I've been gigging all my life", she says proudly. And her efforts have certainly paid off…. In the form of three number one hit singles on Billboard's dance charts ("Gonna Catch You", "Happenin' All Over Again" and "Bad Mood").

  
On the nightclub scene, Lonnie counts gay men among her biggest fans. "They think I'm a drag queen", she laughs. "When you get onstage, you've got to give 'em something larger than life…. And I'm giving the boys and girls serious drama: eyelashes for days, wild wigs, and the works!". Gordon admires gutsy, dynamic performers and considers Tina Turner her biggest influence ("She's been through a lot"), but also credits Janis Joplin, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn for impacting her career as well.

   During the two years since her three Billboard #1 dance smashes rocked dance floors world-wide, Lonnie has kept up a busy schedule of live appearances around the world. Although club music has made her ruling "diva of dance", her future plans include glitz and glamour "Cabaret-type performances, singing Broadway show tunes in Vegas!"

   Knowing the road to success isn't easy, the divorced mother of one daughter has some advice for aspiring young singers "Hard work does pay off. Whatever you do, put the time into it and hurt nobody along the way".

   Her biggest thrill of performing? "To see the people smile. It's unconditional love for me"

.

streetsound interviews

Where are you from, and where do you live now?
Born in Philly, grew up in the Bronx, left home when I was 17 and lived in Britain for 11 or 12 years. Now I live in Manhattan because that's where the biz is.

How long have you been singing?
For a very long time. I think my first talent show was at the Apollo theater when I was nine.

What was your first record?
I was with RCA, and it was called "Nice Girls Do It Too". Then I did a track with the Prelude group, The Strikers.

What was your big break record?
Well I would have to say, "Happening All Over Again", but that was only in Britain. But it did allow me to tour all over Europe. Then I did a lot of underground stuff.

What puts you in a Bad Mood?
The president of our label in Europe was always sending me writers that couldn't write. They just couldn't do it. Stupid lyrics, you know, the works. So I'm telling him this, and he goes, "Lonnie, what's your problem? Every time we talk something is the matter". I said "I don't have a problem and to show you I'm going to write a song called "Bad Mood" and dedicate it to you!".

What's it like working with a good producer as opposed to a not so good producer?
Working with a good producer, they can control Lonnie Gordon. And there aren't too many people that can control me. They have to know what they want to do with me. A producer brings out the best in an artist. When I work with SAW they're very intelligent, and they know how to work quickly. The same with Black Box. it's like 'work me baby' with a good producer.

What did you think of all the remixes to "Bad Mood"?
Some of them I liked, some of them I didn't like. But I also probably haven't heard them all; I can't really listen to myself on record.

What's your favorite city for clubbing?
I need to find a man to take me out clubbing. I need to find somebody in New York to hang with.

How do you feel about being called a Diva?
What's a diva to you?

I don't know, strong, someone who takes no shit from a guy. Grace Jones, Adeva, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner. So are you?
What do you think?

I think you're a Diva?
Well, you just answered your own question!

OK, next question. What's the biggest problem with dance music today?
I think a lot of things have been sampled to death. I would like to hear more live musicians. Real strings. I think it would leave a different taste in your mouth if you heard some live sax, or some guitar solos in the music. I can't wait to play with a live band.

What do you look for in a man?
Romantic, of course. A man that gives me flowers. One that treats me like a woman, then I can treat him like a man. Then I can have him on his knees begging for more!

What do you do to chill out?
What I've been doing lately is going to the gym. I go to the World gym. It makes me tired so I can sleep.

Do you sing while you work out.
It's funny, it's the only time the phone doesn't ring, so I bring my Walkman and listen to other music. Rickie Lee Jones, stuff like that.

What kind of music do you like?
I like a variety of music, from Frank Sinatra, soul music, Chris Cross, opera. I don't know if I like new wave, though you never know.

If you were a car, what kind would you be?
I'd be a jeep, with big wheels that I could jump over things and bash into people with!

Anything else you want to say?
Wish me a happy birthday.

Happy birthday! How old are you...? Just kidding.