Candye Kane

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Candye Kane

| image = CandyeKane01.jpg

| image_size =

| landscape = yes

| caption = Kane in January 2005

| birth_name = Candice Caleb

| birth_place = Ventura, California, U.S.

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1961|11|13}}

| death_date = {{death date and age|2016|5|6|1961|11|13}}

| death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.

| instrument = Vocals

| genre = {{hlist|Blues|jazz}}

| occupation = adult film actress, {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|feminist}}

| years_active = 1986–2016

| label = Sire London, Ruf, Delta Groove, Vizztone, Antone's

| website = {{URL|http://www.candyekane.com}}

}}

Candice Caleb (November 13, 1961 – May 6, 2016),{{cite web |author=George Varga |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/may/07/candye-kane-obituary/ |title=Singer Candye Kane has died at 54 |website=Sandiegotribune.com |date=2016-05-07 |accessdate=2016-05-08 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508073745/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/may/07/candye-kane-obituary/ |archivedate=May 8, 2016 |df=mdy-all }} known professionally as Candye Kane, was an American adult film star, and later a blues singer. She loved to sing as a young girl and appeared on "The Gong Show," as a child. She dreamed of a successful music career and performed at some music gigs, but worked in the adult entertainment industry briefly in the early to mid 1980s during pornography's golden age to help finance her music career. Candye was recognized as an award-winning singer, songwriter, and performer in the blues and jazz genres.

Early life

Kane was born Candice Caleb in Ventura, California. She was raised in Highland Park, a Los Angeles suburb.{{cite web|url=http://www.lanasbigboobs.com/models/c/candye_kane/ |title=Candye Kane Big Tit Pictures, Movies and Biography! |website=Lanasbigboobs.com |date=1965-11-13|accessdate=2013-07-02}}

Adult film star

When she turned 18, she turned to adult modeling and stripping to make some money, appearing in videos and over 150 magazinesHos, Hookers, Call Girls, and Rent Boys: Professionals Writing on Life, Love ..., ed. Sterry, Martin, Soft Skull Press, New York, 2009, p. 94, {{ISBN|978-1593762414}} from 1983 to 1995.{{Cite web|url=http://lanasbigboobs.com/models/c/candye_kane/|title=Big boobs star Candye Kane free videos, pictures and biography|website=Lanasbigboobs.com|accessdate=February 20, 2021}} Eventually she worked as a columnist for Gent magazine.

Music career

File:Candye Kane 2012.jpg

Candye was accepted into the University of Southern California's music conservatory's junior opera program in 1976, but she disliked opera and dropped out. She became part of the punk rock music scene of the early 1980s. She started country punk bands and befriended and shared the stage with musicians as diverse as Black Flag, Social Distortion, James Harman, The Circle Jerks, Los Lobos, The Blasters and Lone Justice.{{cite web |author= |url=http://www.ameriblues.com/2011/03/07/12236/ |title=Candye Kane Blues Music Award Nominee — American Blues News |website=Ameriblues.com |date=2011-03-07 |accessdate=2013-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121065304/http://www.ameriblues.com/2011/03/07/12236/ |archive-date=November 21, 2015 |url-status=dead }} In 1985, she caught the attention of CBS/Epic A&R Head, Larry Hanby. She was signed to a developmental deal and recorded her first demo with Grammy winner Val Garay. Kane was marketed as a country singer, but CBS dropped her upon learning of her controversial past.{{cite news|url=http://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/candye-kane/ |title=Candye Kane |newspaper=San Diego Reader |date= |accessdate=2013-07-02}}

At 17, Kane became pregnant with her first son. In 1986, she moved from Los Angeles to San Diego. She married bass player Thomas Yearsley (of rockabilly power trio The Paladins), with whom she had another son.

Kane majored in women's studies at Palomar Community College. She continued to write songs and discovered the brash blues stylings of Big Maybelle, Ruth Brown, Big Mama Thornton, Etta James and Bessie Smith.{{cite web|last=Carone |first=Angela |url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2011/jan/20/candye-kane-toughest-girl-alive/ |title=Candye Kane Is The Toughest Girl Alive |website=Kpbs.org |date=2011-01-20 |accessdate=2013-07-02}} In 1991, she self-released Burlesque Swing, her first recording since A Town South of Bakersfield Part II. In 1992, she was signed by Clifford Antone to a record deal with Antones Records. Her first CD, Home Cookin' , was produced by Yearsley, Cesar Rosas (of Los Lobos), and Dave Gonzales. It was released in 1992 followed by Knock Out. She then signed with Discovery Records, releasing Diva La Grande, produced by Dave Alvin and Derek O'Brien. Next, she was signed by record mogul Seymour Stein to Sire Records during the height of the swing revival.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/artists/candye-kane/discography/131334/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121044559/http://www.mtv.com/artists/candye-kane/discography/131334/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 21, 2015 |title=Swango by Candye Kane |publisher=MTV |date=1998-08-18 |accessdate=2013-07-02}}

Candye released Swango, which was produced by Mike Vernon for Sire/London Records; it was her only major label release. This was followed by her Bullseye Blues/Rounder release, The Toughest Girl Alive, produced by Scott Billington. Next she released four CDs on the German label Ruf Records. Subsequent titles included Whole Lotta Love, produced by Val Garay and White Trash Girl,{{cite web|last=Horowitz |first=Hal |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/white-trash-girl-mw0000343630 |title=White Trash Girl - Candye Kane : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=AllMusic |date=2005-06-07 |accessdate=2013-07-02}} produced in Austin by Ruf Records and Mark Kazanoff. In 2007, she released Guitar'd and Feathered on Ruf Records. The CD was produced by former Muddy Waters guitarist Bob Margolin. In 2009, she signed to Delta Groove Productions and released Superhero in June 2009.{{cite web|last=Horowitz |first=Hal |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/superhero-mw0000819137 |title=Superhero - Candye Kane : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=AllMusic |date=2009-06-16 |accessdate=2013-07-02}}

She made a "topless" video for the song "All You Can Eat" during which she pounded the keyboards with her bare breasts.{{cite web|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/candye-kane-bbw-blues-singer-porn-and-the-music-biz-are-almost-the-same-6440694|title=Candye Kane, BBW Blues Singer: "Porn and the Music Biz Are Almost the Same"|first=Jacob|last=Katel|date=October 26, 2012|website=Miaminewtimes.com|accessdate=June 7, 2016}} She dropped this routine from her act after her first bout with cancer, which caused her to lose over 100 pounds and reduced her bust from 44H to 38D.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

A stage play about Kane's life debuted at San Diego's Diversionary Theatre{{cite web|url=http://www.diversionary.org/ |title=Diversionary Theatre > Fresh, fun and fabulous |website=Diversionary.org |date= |accessdate=2013-07-02}} in January 2009, directed by Javier Velasco. The play, titled The Toughest Girl Alive, was based on Kane's memoir about her turbulent life.

She was included on the Essential Women in Blues CD set released by the 'House of Blues' record label and the Rock for Choice compilation. She appeared on the 1988 compilation A Town South of Bakersfield Part II on Enigma Records, which included tracks by Jim Lauderdale, Katy Moffatt, Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam and several others.{{cite web | title=A Town South of Bakersfield, Vols. 1 & 2 | website=AllMusic | last=Worbois | first=Jim | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-town-south-of-bakersfield-vols-1-2-mw0000195192 | access-date=2 December 2024}}

Songwriting

Among the songs that Kane wrote were "The Toughest Girl Alive" (used on the series Hidden Palms for the CW network);{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLtneEXSlTA |title=Hidden Palms Sezon 01 odc. 7 Część 4 PL |publisher=YouTube |date=2011-01-11 |accessdate=2013-07-02}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}} "Who Do You Love" (nominated for an OUT music award); "200 Pounds of Fun" (featured in the motion picture, The Girl Next Door); "For Your Love" (included on an episode of The Chris Isaak Show); "Please Tell Me a Lie" (used in the motion picture Heavy, starring Deborah Harry);{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113280/soundtrack?ref_=tt_trv_snd|title=Heavy (1995) Soundtracks|website=IMDb.com|accessdate=2013-07-02}} "You Need a Great Big Woman" (used on the Oxygen Network series Strong Medicine); and "The Lord Was a Woman" (recorded by comedian Judy Tenuta).{{cite web |url=http://www.bluesprofiles.com/Bios/Candye%20Kane.htm |title=Candye Kane |website=Bluesprofiles.com |accessdate=2013-07-02 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726070522/http://bluesprofiles.com/Bios/Candye%20Kane.htm |archivedate=July 26, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}

Later career and touring

At the time of her death, Kane was signed to Vizztone Label Group. She toured worldwide more than 250 days a year and appeared in many festivals, including the Ascona Jazz Festival, Midem, Paléo Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Dubai International Jazz Festival, Waterfront Blues Festival, Byron Bay Blues Festival in Australia and Notodden Blues Festival. She played for the president of Italy at the French embassy in Rome and at the Cannes Film Festival,{{cite web|last=Anderson |first=Diane |url=http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/music/2011/10/05/bisexual-blues-singer-candye-kane-brings-sexy-back |title=Bisexual Blues Singer Candye Kane Brings Sexy Back |website=Advocate.com |date=2011-10-05 |accessdate=2013-07-02}} and her music often was featured on B.B. King's Bluesville on XM radio.{{cite web |last=Marshall |first=Matt |url=http://www.americanbluesscene.com/2012/01/candye-kane-battling-cancer-a-second-time/ |title=Candye Kane Battling Cancer a Second Time |website=Americanbluesscene.com |date=2012-01-20 |accessdate=2013-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123091846/http://www.americanbluesscene.com/2012/01/candye-kane-battling-cancer-a-second-time/ |archive-date=January 23, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

Awards

In 2011, Kane was nominated for two Blues Music Awards by the Blues Foundation, BB King Entertainer of the Year, and Best Contemporary Blues Female.

Kane was nominated for four Blues Music Awards,{{cite web|url=https://blues.org|title=The Blues Foundation |website=Blues.org |date= |accessdate=2014-05-16}} for the BB King Entertainer of the Year Award, Best Contemporary Blues CD for Superhero, and Best Contemporary Blues Female of 2010. She has won numerous awards, including the Best Blues Band award at the San Diego Music Awards seven times.

Her other honors included Best Blues CD of 2005 at the San Diego Music Awards; the Trophees France International Award 2004 for Best International Blues Chanteuse and Artist of the Year. She unseated Jewel for Artist of the Year at the San Diego Music Awards and won the California Music Award for Best Swing-Cabaret Artist. In May 2007, Kane won an award for Best Original Blues composition by the West Coast Songwriters Association for her song, "I'm My Own Worst Enemy."{{cite web |url=http://www.westcoastsongwriters.org/sites/default/files/newsletters/May07.pdf |title=JUNE047.0 |accessdate=2013-07-02 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114218/http://www.westcoastsongwriters.org/sites/default/files/newsletters/May07.pdf |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |df=mdy-all }} In 2012, Kane received a special Courage in Music Award at the San Diego Music Awards ceremonies.{{cite web|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/aug/13/surprises-upsets-san-diego-muasic-awards/ |title=Surprises, upsets at San Diego Music Awards Page 1 of 3 |website=UTSanDiego.com |date=2012-08-14 |accessdate=2013-07-02}}

In 2014, Kane was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the category "Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year".{{cite web |url=http://blues.about.com/od/bluesawards/a/2014-Blues-Music-Awards.htm |title=2014 Blues Music Awards Nominees and Winners |website=Blues.about.com |date= |accessdate=2014-05-16 |archive-date=December 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222020203/http://blues.about.com/od/bluesawards/a/2014-Blues-Music-Awards.htm |url-status=dead }}

Personal life

Kane had two sons, one of whom, Evan Caleb, played drums in her road band for almost 10 years, and on a few of her records.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vizztone.com/2017/10/20/casey-hensley-live-featuring-laura-chavez/|title=Casey Hensley LIVE Featuring Laura Chavez!|website=Vizztone.com|accessdate=February 20, 2021}} She appeared often at gay pride festivals and identified openly as a bisexual.{{Citation|title=Candye Kane's bodacious blues|first=Brad|last=Wheeler|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070712.BLUES12/TPStory/TPEntertainment/Music|date=July 12, 2007|accessdate=2007-07-16|work=Globe and Mail|location=Canada|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716044237/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070712.BLUES12/TPStory/TPEntertainment/Music/|archive-date=July 16, 2007|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Kane had become an activist and philanthropist in her later years. In August 2009, she appeared in Dublin, Ireland for the World Congress for Down Syndrome with her United by Music charity.{{cite web|url=http://www.deltagrooveproductions.com/music/artists/candye_kane/main.html |title=The Delta Groove Family: Candye Kane |website=Deltagrooveproductions.com |accessdate=2013-07-02}}

=Health and death=

In March 2008, Kane revealed on her website that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment. This was found to be a neuroendocrine tumor and was successfully resected on April 18, 2008 at UCSD Thornton Hospital.{{Citation|title=Candye Kane – News|url=http://www.candyekane.com/news.html|date=March 27, 2008|accessdate=2008-04-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509104807/http://www.candyekane.com/news.html|archive-date=May 9, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

Kane died from the disease at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on May 6, 2016, aged 54.

Discography

Coming Out Swingin{{'}} (2013 Sister Cynic/VizzTone){{cite web|last=Jurek |first=Thom |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/coming-out-swingin-mw0002545986 |title=Coming Out Swingin' - Candye Kane : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=AllMusic |date=2013-06-24 |accessdate=2013-07-02}} †
Sister Vagabond (2011 Delta Groove) †
One Night in Belgium with Sue Palmer (2011 self-release)
Superhero (2009 Delta Groove)
Blues Caravan: Guitars & Feathers with Deborah Coleman and Dani Wilde (2008 Ruf)
Rich Man's War (2008 Ruf)
Guitar'd and Feathered (2007 Ruf)
White Trash Girl (2005 Ruf)
Best of Doo Wop II (2004 Rhino)
Diva La Grande (2004 Ruf reissue)
Whole Lotta Love (2003 Ruf)
Any Woman's Blues (2001 Rounder)
The Toughest Girl Alive (2000 Bullseye Blues/Rounder)
Hard Headed Woman – A Tribute to Wanda Jackson (2000 Bloodshot)
Swango (1998 Sire/London)
Essential Women in Blues (1997 House of Blues)
Diva La Grande (1997 Antone's/Discovery)
Rock for Choice (1996 Enigma)
Knockout (1995 Antone's)
Texas Rocks! (1995 Antone's)
Home Cookin' (1994 Antone's)
Burlesque Swing (1987 self-release)
A Town South of Bakersfield, Part II (1986 Enigma)