In the 1940s Rubin Elkins, in the northwest USA, became a raunchy female impersonator under the name Lee Leonard. She performed at Finocchio’s and the Garden of Allah. ++She took up with fellow performer Robin Raye. They toured together, but did separate acts. However in 1958 Raye married a female stripper and they drifted apart.
+Later using the name Liz Lyons, she became a woman in 1968 at the University of Minnesota Gender Clinic.
In the mid and late 1970s Liz put out x-rated LPs, such as Up Your Ass, Live at the Club Morocco, 1975, and Liz Lyons, Live,1979. Her later stage show often included a display that she was indeed female.
* Not the Lee Leonard, a radio/TV personality, nor Liz Lyons the social scientist nor the novelist.
- J.D. Doyle. “Liz Lyons, Aks Lee Leonard”. Queer Music Heritage. www.queermusicheritage.com/drag-lyons.html.
- “Lee Leonard/Liz Lyons”. The Minor Luminaries. Dragstavaganza. www.blakstone.com/Dragstravaganza%20Site/Minor%20Luminaries.htm.
Ok! This is amazing. In the late 70's I attended a truck show in Detroit as a young engineer. Naturally we found our way across the bridge into windsor, canada where we hung out at Cheeta's by the Bay, one of the better strip joints at the time. As we lounged waiting for the next show to begin, an old woman came in and proceeded to put her belongings on the small raised stage. Thru a slight beer induced haze, I thought, Naaha, she's not going to be the first stripper.. she was really old... but when she got up on stage we were all shocked and, at the same time, fascinated. What came next was the funniest comedy routine I have ever seen. She had the patrons rolling in the isles with her no holds barred raunch. Now, at long last, I find she was a female impersonator... wow... now it all makes sense... you go girl... where ever you are. Ha.
ReplyDeleteI saw her in 1977 in Campbell River BC, she was fantastic !!!
ReplyDeleteShe was so funny I bought her album and got it autograpghed
I worked with Liz Lyons at Izy Walters night Club in Vancouver, B.C., Canada in 1975! She had a great act and we were good friends. My wife Patrick and I were headlners at the club dancing as the Duvals! Sincerely, Patrick Kevin O'Hara www.patrick-kevin-ohara.com for those who have further memories!
ReplyDeleteI saw her in Woodstock ON in 1985, got her album and autograph, she even zinged me during her act, I found her charming and witty, glad I had the experienced of meeting her, may she rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteI appeared along with my two friends, as Canada's Kingston Trio as supporting act for headliner Lee Leonard. Two weeks in November 1961. Hung out with him and his current boyfriend who I believe was a Mr. America winner or contender. I remember his Cadillac car with mink footrests. I even remember some of his risque jokes.
ReplyDeleteLiz Lyons -
ReplyDeleteSeattle Washington 1949
Eureka California 1952
Idaho Falls Idaho1952
Greenly Colorado 1953
Fairbanks Alaska 1953
Spokane Washington 1954
Fairbanks Alaska 1954
Phoenix Arizona 1954
Spokane Washington 1955
Yuma Arizona 1956
Spokane Washington 1960
Spokane Washington 1964
Minneapolis Minnesota 1964
Spokane Washington 1965
Winnipeg, Manitoba1968
Minneapolis, Minnesota 1971
Ontario, 1980
Calgary, Alberta 1984
Detroit, Michigan 1985
Winnipeg, Manotoba 1990