Lene Lovich

Lene Lovich

Lene Lovich is an American-born singer and songwriter associated with new wave, post-punk, art pop and art rock. Born in Detroit in 1949, she later moves to Hull, England as a child after her mother leaves the family home in the United States. She is also known for work connected to Dolby's Cube and the Lene Lovich Band.

Early life and artistic beginnings

Born Lili-Marlene Premilovich, Lovich develops an early interest in a wide range of artistic activity. As a teenager, she meets guitarist and songwriter Les Chappell, who becomes her longtime collaborator. In 1968, the pair go to London to attend art school. While studying sculpture, she begins wearing her hair in long plaits, initially as a practical way of keeping it clear of clay, and this later becomes one of her visual trademarks.

During the following years she attends several art schools, busks on the London Underground and performs in cabaret clubs as an “Oriental” dancer. She also works in a variety of other roles and settings, including acoustic rock performances around London, singing in the mass choir for Quintessence at the Royal Albert Hall, appearing as a soldier in Arthur Brown’s show, working as a go-go dancer with the Radio One Roadshow, touring Italy with a West Indian soul band, and playing saxophone for Bob Flag’s Balloon and Banana Band and for the cabaret trio The Sensations. She records screams for horror films, writes lyrics for French disco artist Cerrone, contributes to a version of “Supernature,” and works with fringe theatre groups. She also spends time in Spain and visits Salvador Dalí at his home.

Recording career

Lovich first appears on a recording in the audience chorus for Chuck Berry’s 1972 recording of “My Ding-a-Ling” at the Lanchester Arts Festival, a No. 1 hit in the UK and the US.

In 1975 she joins the funk group The Diversions, which releases five singles and an album on Polydor Records without major success. In 1978, Charlie Gillett introduces her to Dave Robinson of Stiff Records, who signs her. Her first Stiff single is a cover of “I Think We’re Alone Now,” originally recorded by Tommy James & The Shondells. She then joins the Be Stiff Route 78 Tour and records her debut album, Stateless, which produces the remixed hit singles “Lucky Number” and “Say When.” Her style combines ethnic influences with punk rock and new wave.

She continues her partnership with Les Chappell on the albums Flex and No-Man’s-Land for Stiff, and releases the EP New Toy, whose title track is written by touring band member Thomas Dolby. She also records vocals for The Residents’ “Picnic Boy.” After leaving Stiff, she releases “Don’t Kill the Animals,” a single with Nina Hagen. She had previously appeared with Hagen and Herman Brood in the film Cha Cha, and the three of them create its soundtrack.

Later work

In 1989, after several years away from recording, Lovich releases the album March. Its single “Wonderland” becomes an American dance hit, while the album itself follows later. In 2005 she appears on Hawkwind’s Take Me to Your Leader and performs with them on stage at times. She also releases Shadows and Dust on Mike Thorne’s Stereo Society label. Lovich continues to perform with Les Chappell and maintains the same general stage style associated with her earlier career.