Happy Birthday Kim Gordon

Happy Birthday to Kim Althea Gordon (born April 28, 1953, Rochester, New York). She is an American musician, vocalist, visual artist, record producer, video director, fashion designer, and actress. Gordon, who started out as a visual artist, rose to prominence as the bassist, guitarist, and vocalist of alternative rock band Sonic Youth, which she formed with Thurston Moore in 1981. Gordon also formed the musical project Free Kitten with Julia Cafritz (of Pussy Galore) in the 1990s, and debuted as a producer on Hole's debut album Pretty on the Inside (1991). Gordon also worked on a fashion line called X-Girl in 1993, and continued to write and release material with Sonic Youth throughout the 1990s and on into the late 2000s.

Gordon has collaborated with Ikue Mori, DJ Olive, William Winant, Lydia Lunch, Yoko Ono, Raymond Pettibon,Courtney Love, and Chris Corsano. In 2012, after the breakup of Sonic Youth, Gordon formed Body/Head with friend Bill Nace, releasing their debut album Coming Apart in September 2013. Gordon is also working on an autobiography.

Kim Gordon trained in the visual arts before being drawn into New York’s art rock scene in the ’80s. She continues to paint and make conceptual art, watercolour being her favourite medium.

Artwork by Kim Gordon

Watch Sonic Youth "Kool Thing"