Candice Caleb (November 13, 1961 – May 6, 2016), known professionally as Candye Kane, was an American blues singer, entertainer and adult film star. She loved to sing as a young girl and even appeared on "The Gong Show," as a kid. She dreamed of a successful music career and did get some music gigs, but worked in the adult entertainment industry briefly in the early to mid 1980s during porn's

golden age The term Golden Age comes from Greek mythology, particularly the ''Works and Days'' of Hesiod, and is part of the description of temporal decline of the state of peoples through five Ages of Man, Ages, Gold being the first and the one during ...

to help finance her music career. Candye was recognized as an award-winning singer, songwriter, and performer in the

blues Blues is a music genre and musical form which originated in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues incorporated spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts, chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads from the Afr ...

and

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

genres. She was included in the books ''Rolling Stone Guide to Jazz and Blues,'' ''Elwood's Blues'' by

Dan Aykroyd Daniel Edward Aykroyd ( ; born July 1, 1952) is a Canadian actor, comedian, producer, musician and writer. He was an original member of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" on ''Saturday Night Live'' (1975–1979). During his tenure on ''SNL'' ...

, ''The Blueshound Guide to Blues,'' ''AllMusic,'' and other blues books and periodicals.

Early life

Kane was born Candice Caleb in Ventura, California. She was raised in Highland Park, a Los Angeles suburb.

Adult film star

When she turned 18, she turned to adult modeling and stripping to make some cash, appearing in videos and over 150 magazines from 1983 to 1995. Eventually she worked as a columnist for ''Gent'' magazine.

Music career

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 Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness (lead vocals, lead guitar), Jonny Wickersham (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Brent Harding (bass, backing voca ...

James Harman James Gary Harman (June 8, 1946 – May 23, 2021) was an American blues harmonica player, singer, and songwriter. The music journalist Tony Russell described Harman as an "amusing songwriter and an excellent, unfussy blues harp player". Biograp ...

The Circle Jerks Circle Jerks (stylized as Ciʀcle JƎʀᴋs) are an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California. The group was founded by former Black Flag vocalist Keith Morris and Redd Kross guitarist Greg Hetson. To date, Ci ...

Los Lobos Los Lobos (, Spanish for "the Wolves") are an American rock band from East Los Angeles, California. Their music is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, zydeco, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional music such as cumbia, ...

The Blasters The Blasters are an American rock band formed in 1979 in Downey, California, by brothers Phil Alvin (vocals and guitar) and Dave Alvin (guitar), with bass guitarist John Bazz and drummer Bill Bateman. Their self-described " American Music" i ...

and

Lone Justice Lone Justice is an American country rock band formed in 1982 by guitarist Ryan Hedgecock and singer Maria McKee. They have recently announced they are recording new material as per Marvin Etzioni July 2022. They are part of a new exhibit in Se ...

. 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 Val Garay (born May 9, 1942, in San Francisco, California, United States) is an American recording engineer and record producer who has worked with Kim Carnes, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Neil Diamond, and others. Garay also co-founded Los An ...

. Kane was marketed as a country singer, but CBS dropped her upon learning of her controversial past. 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 Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music. It dates back to the early 1950s in the United States, especially the Southern United States, South. As a genre it blends the sound of Western music (North America), Western music ...

power trio

The Paladins The Paladins are an American roots rock-rockabilly band from San Diego, California. Founded in the early 1980s by guitarist Dave Gonzalez and his high school friend and double bass player Thomas Yearsley, they have recorded nine studio albums an ...

), with whom she had another son. Kane majored in

women's studies Women's studies is an academic field that draws on feminist and interdisciplinary methods to place women's lives and experiences at the center of study, while examining social and cultural constructs of gender; systems of privilege and oppress ...

at Palomar Community College. She continued to write songs and discovered the brash blues stylings of

Big Maybelle Mabel Louise Smith (May 1, 1924 – January 23, 1972), known professionally as Big Maybelle, was an American R&B singer. Her 1956 hit single " Candy" received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999. Childhood and musical background Born in J ...

Ruth Brown Ruth Alston Brown (; January 12, 1928 – November 17, 2006) was an American singer-songwriter and actress, sometimes referred to as the " Queen of R&B". She was noted for bringing a pop music style to R&B music in a series of hit songs for Atl ...

Big Mama Thornton Willie Mae Thornton (December 11, 1926 – July 25, 1984), better known as Big Mama Thornton, was an American singer and songwriter of the blues and R&B genres. She was the first to record Leiber and Stoller's " Hound Dog", in 1952, which becam ...

Etta James Jamesetta Hawkins (January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012), known professionally as Etta James, was an American singer who performed in various genres, including gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, rock and roll, and soul. Starting her career in 1954, sh ...

and

Bessie Smith Bessie Smith (April 15, 1894 – September 26, 1937) was an American blues singer widely renowned during the Jazz Age. Nicknamed the " Empress of the Blues", she was the most popular female blues singer of the 1930s. Inducted into the Rock and ...

. In 1991, she self-released Burlesque Swing, her first recording since ''

A Town South of Bakersfield ''A Town South of Bakersfield'' was a series of three compilation CDs showcasing New Country musicians in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The first album came out in 1986 and featured acts such as Dwight Yoakam, the Lonesome Strangers, and Candye ...

.'' In 1992, she was signed by

Clifford Antone Clifford Antone (October 27, 1949 – May 22, 2006) was the founder of the eponymous Austin blues club Antone's and independent record label Antone's Records and Tapes, as well as a mentor to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, Kim Wilson, G ...

to a record deal with Antones Records. Her first CD, ''Home Cookin','' was produced by Yearsley,

Cesar Rosas Cesar J. Rosas (born September 26, 1954, in Hermosillo, Mexico) is a Mexican singer, songwriter and guitarist for Los Lobos. Rosas also participates in the Latin supergroup Los Super Seven. Perhaps the most recognizable member of Los Lobos, Ros ...

(of

), and Dave Gonzales. It was released in 1992 followed by Knock Out. She then signed with

Discovery Records Discovery Records was a United States-based record company and label known for its recordings of jazz music. Discovery was founded in 1948 by jazz fan and promoter Albert Marx. The record label eventually would record jazz notables such as Dizzy ...

, releasing Diva La Grande, produced by

Dave Alvin David Albert Alvin (born November 11, 1955) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer. He is a former and founding member of the roots rock band the Blasters. Alvin has recorded and performed as a solo artist since the late 1980s a ...

and Derek O'Brien. Next, she was signed by record mogul

Seymour Stein Seymour Stein (born April 18, 1942) is an American entrepreneur and music executive. He co-founded Sire Records and was Vice President of Warner Bros. Records. With Sire, Stein signed bands that became central to the new wave era of the 1970s a ...

to Sire Records during the height of the swing revival. 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 ''Rounder/Bullseye'' release, The Toughest Girl Alive, produced by

Scott Billington Scott Billington (born October 27, 1951 in Melrose, Massachusetts) is an American record producer, songwriter, record company executive and blues musician. Biography Billington's career began in Boston in the early 1970s, when he managed the ...

. Next she released four CDs on the German Label

Ruf Records Ruf Records is a German independent record label, which was founded in 1994 by Luther Allison’s manager, Thomas Ruf, to promote Allison's career. The motto of the blues label is "Where Blues Crosses Over". The company's office is located in ...

. Subsequent titles included ''Whole Lotta Love,'' produced by

and White Trash Girl, produced in

Austin Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the 11th-most-populous city ...

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 Delta Groove Productions is an American blues record label in Van Nuys, California, United States. The label was founded by Randy Chortkoff ( Rand Jay Chortkoff; 1949–2015), a producer, concert promoter, and harmonica player. Chortkoff's biog ...

and released ''Superhero'' in June 2009. She made a "topless" video for the song "All You Can Eat" during which she pounded the keyboards with her bare breasts. 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. A stage play about Kane's life debuted at San Diego's Diversionary Theatre 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 ''30 Essential Women of the Blues'' CD set released by the House of Blues record label and the ''Rock for Choice'' compilation. She appeared with

Lucinda Williams Lucinda Gayle Williams (born January 26, 1953) is an American singer-songwriter and a solo guitarist. She recorded her first two albums: '' Ramblin' on My Mind'' (1979) and '' Happy Woman Blues'' (1980), in a traditional country and blues style ...

and

Dwight Yoakam Dwight David Yoakam (born October 23, 1956) is an American singer-songwriter, actor, and film director. He first achieved mainstream attention in 1986 with the release of his debut album '' Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.''. Yoakam had considerab ...

on ''Town South of Bakersfield'' on

Enigma Records Enigma Records (also known as Enigma Entertainment Corporation) was a popular rock and alternative American record label in the 1980s. History Enigma Records launched as a division of Greenworld Distribution, an independent music importer/dis ...

Songwriting

Among the songs that Kane wrote were "The Toughest Girl Alive" (used on the series ''

Hidden Palms ''Hidden Palms'' is an American teen drama television series that ran on The CW in the United States from May 30 until July 4, 2007. It was canceled after eight first-run episodes. The series, created by Kevin Williamson, portrays the fictional ...

'' for the CW network); "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 ''The Chris Isaak Show'' is an American television sitcom that follows a fictionalized version of the life of American rock musician Chris Isaak. The show portrays Isaak and his band members as everyday people with everyday problems. The series wa ...

''); "Please Tell Me a Lie" (used in the motion picture ''Heavy,'' starring

Deborah Harry Deborah Ann Harry (born Angela Trimble; July 1, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter and actress, best known as the lead vocalist of the band Blondie. Four of her songs with the band reached on the US charts between 1979 and 1981. Born in ...

); "You Need a Great Big Woman" (used on the Oxygen Network series ''

Strong Medicine ''Strong Medicine'' is an American medical drama with a focus on feminism, feminist politics, health issues and class conflict that aired on the Lifetime Television, Lifetime network from 2000 to 2006. It was created and produced in part by Who ...

''); and "The Lord Was a Woman" (recorded by comedian

Judy Tenuta Judy Lynn Tenuta (November 7, 1949 – October 6, 2022) was an American comedian, actress, and comedy musician. She was known for her whimsical and brash persona of "The Love Goddess", mixing insult comedy, observational humor, self-promotion, ...

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 prestigious festivals, including the

Ascona Jazz Festival Ascona Jazz Festival, or Jazz Ascona, is an annual jazz festival held in Ascona, Switzerland. The 10-day festival takes place from late June to early July on the Swiss shores of Lake Maggiore and is devoted to historical styles of jazz, particular ...

Midem Midem is the acronym for Marché International du Disque et de l'Édition Musicale, which is organised annually in and around the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes, France. The trade show, organized by Reed MIDEM, a subsidiary of Re ...

Paléo Festival The Paléo Festival de Nyon, usually just called Paléo, is an annual rock festival held in Nyon, Switzerland. It started in a small way in 1976 as the Nyon Folk Festival. The first one was held in the village hall in Nyon. From 1977 until 1989, ...

Monterey Jazz Festival The Monterey Jazz Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in Monterey, California, United States. It debuted on October 3, 1958, championed by Dave Brubeck and co-founded by jazz and popular music critic Ralph J. Gleason and jaz ...

Dubai International Jazz Festival The Dubai International Jazz Festival is an annual music festival which is held in February and takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 2011 Dubai International Jazz Festival The 2011 Dubai International Jazz Festival was held between th ...

Waterfront Blues Festival The Waterfront Blues Festival is an annual event in Portland, Oregon, United States featuring four days of performances by blues musicians. The festival started in 1988 and takes place in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, along the west bank of the Will ...

, Byron Bay Blues Festival in Australia and

Notodden Blues Festival Notodden Blues Festival (NBF) is one of the largest blues music festivals in Europe and the largest in Scandinavia. The festival is held in Notodden, Norway, usually in early August. It has been running annually since 1988. The festival does not ...

. She played for the president of Italy at the French embassy in Rome and at the

Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Festival (; french: link=no, Festival de Cannes), until 2003 called the International Film Festival (') and known in English as the Cannes Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films o ...

, and her music often was featured on B.B. King's Bluesville on XM radio.

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 Award The Blues Music Awards, formerly known as the W. C. Handy Awards (or "The Handys"), are awards presented by the Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization set up to foster blues heritage. The awards were originally named in honor of W. C. Handy, " ...

s, 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 The San Diego Music Awards are an awards show held annually in San Diego, California, United States, to recognize the best bands and artists in local music. The awards show benefits the San Diego Music Foundation, a non-profit organization dedic ...

seven times. Her other recent honors included Best Blues CD of 2005 at the

; 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." In 2012, Kane received a special Courage in Music Award at the San Diego Music Awards ceremonies. In 2014, Kane was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the category 'Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year'.

Personal life

Kane's known survivors were two grown sons, one of whom, Evan Caleb, played drums in her road band for close to 10 years, and on a few of her records. She appeared often at gay pride festivals and identified openly as a bisexual. Kane had become an activist and philanthropist in recent years. In August 2009, she appeared in Dublin, Ireland for the World Congress for Down Syndrome with her United by Music charity.

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 Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are neoplasms that arise from cells of the endocrine (hormonal) and nervous systems. They most commonly occur in the intestine, where they are often called carcinoid tumors, but they are also found in the pancreas, lun ...

and was successfully resected on April 18, 2008 at UCSD Thornton Hospital. 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 Vagabond'' (2011) † * ''One Night in Belgium'' with Sue Palmer (Self-release 2011) * ''Superhero'' (2009) * ''Blues Caravan with

Dani Wilde Dani Wilde (born 25 August 1985, in Hullavington, Wiltshire, England) is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist who fuses roots genres including blues, country, gospel, soul and Americana into popular song. The American periodical, ''Blues B ...

and Deborah Coleman'' (2008 RUF) * ''Rich Mans War'' (2008 RUF) * ''Guitar'd and Feathered'' (2007) * ''White Trash Girl'' (2005) * ''Best of Doo Wop II'' (Rhino 2004) * ''Diva La Grande'' (2004 RUF reissue) * ''Whole Lotta Love'' (2003) * ''The Toughest Girl Alive'' (2000) * ''Hard Headed Woman – A Tribute to Wanda Jackson'' (Bloodshot 2000) * ''Any Woman's Blues'' (2000) * ''30 Essential Women of the Blues'' (1999) * ''Swango'' (Sire/London 1998) * ''Diva La Grande'' ( Antone's/ Discovery 1997) * ''Rock For Choice compilation'' (Enigma 1996) * ''Knockout'' (1995 Antones) * ''Texas Rocks!'' (1995 Antones) * ''Home Cookin' '' (1994 Antones) * ''Burlesque Swing'' (1987 self-release) * ''A Town South of Bakersfield Part II'' (1986 Enigma) † billed as featuring Laura Chavez

DVD

* ''Blues Caravan Guitars and Feathers'' with Dani Wilde and Deborah Coleman (2008 Ruf) * ''Candye Kane in Concert'' (2003 Ohne Filter)

Selected filmography

* ''Boobsville Cabaret'' (1998) * ''Best of Breasts 3'' (1995) * ''Blue Vanities S-579'' (1995) * ''Candy's Back'' (1995) * ''Blue Vanities 221'' (1994) * ''Candye Kane'' (1992) * ''Ten Years of Big Busts'' (1989) * ''Bra Breakers Vol. 1'' (1988) * ''Legends of Lust 2: Christy Canyon'' (1987) * ''Let Me Tell Ya Bout Fat Chicks'' (1987) * ''Best of Big Busty'' (1986) * ''Between My Breasts 3'' (1986) * ''Bouncin' in the U.S.A.'' (1986) * ''Big Melons 5'' (1985) * ''2 Tons of Fun'' (1985) * ''Huge Bras 4'' (1985) * ''Big Busty 17'' (1986) * ''Big Busty 14'' (1986) * ''Big Melons 3'' (1985) * ''I Want It All'' (1984) * ''Big Busty 5'' (1984) * ''Candy Girls 4'' (1984) * ''Huge Bras 2'' (1983) * ''Big Busty 3'' (1983)

References

External links

Official website

Findagrave.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kane, Candye 1961 births 2016 deaths People from Ventura, California American pornographic film actresses Bisexual musicians Bisexual pornographic film actresses LGBT people from California LGBT singers from the United States LGBT songwriters Deaths from cancer in California Deaths from pancreatic cancer American women country singers American country singer-songwriters People from Greater Los Angeles Singer-songwriters from California Pornographic film actors from California Country musicians from California Ruf Records artists Sire Records artists 20th-century LGBT people 21st-century LGBT people 21st-century American women