Q Lazzarus
Q Lazzarus (born December 12, 1965) is a former singer known for her 1988 song "Goodbye Horses", written by William Garvey, which was featured in the films Married to the Mob and The Silence of the Lambs, both of which were directed by Jonathan Demme.
Q Lazzarus | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Diana or Diane Luckey (unconfirmed) |
| Born | December 12, 1965 New Jersey |
| Origin | United States |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1986–96 |
Career
Q Lazzarus has a deep, husky, androgynous contralto voice. She was born in New Jersey, married young, and fled an abusive marriage that later inspired her to write the song "Tears of Fear." Moving to New York City, she became a nanny for an English man named Swan, who tried to steer her toward a "practical occupation" rather than encourage her musical gifts. Q decided to drive a taxi instead and continued making music independently with her band, The Resurrection. It was while working as a cabbie that she was discovered as a singer.[1] One of her fares was director Jonathan Demme, who heard her demo playing in the taxi. Demme took her to Hollywood, where, despite his encouragement, record companies refused to sign her because they believed she couldn't be marketed. Q replied, "I market myself, I'm an African-American woman who wears locks and sings American rock and roll."
Q Lazzarus' music was featured in the films Twisted, Something Wild, and Married to the Mob, where "Goodbye Horses" originally debuted. "Goodbye Horses", written by William Garvey, is most remembered from The Silence of the Lambs as the song played during the notorious scene in which Buffalo Bill dances and hides his privates between his legs. Its use in the film led to its reissue as a single in 1991. The scene, including the song, has been parodied in film, television, and video games, including Clerks II, Fully Flared, Maniac, Grand Theft Auto IV, Skate 3, Family Guy, The Last Man on Earth, and Nip Tuck.
Q Lazzarus recorded a cover of the Talking Heads song "Heaven" for Demme's next film, 1993's Philadelphia.
Q Lazzarus' band was called Q Lazzarus and the Resurrection. The members included Mark Barrett, Garvey, Glorianna Galicia, Janicia, and backup singers Denise, Liz and Yvette W., Howie Feldman, and Ron Resigno. Q Lazzarus and the Resurrection appeared at SoHo gallery parties and often performed at Boy Bar on Saint Mark's Place and the Pyramid Club. The group disbanded sometime before 1996, and Q Lazzarus dropped from the public eye.
After decades of speculation about her status (including rumors of her death due to substantial unclaimed royalties), fans were able to track her down, claiming as of 2018 that she is a bus driver on Staten Island.[2]
References
- Sawdey, Evan (July 17, 2013). "The Mysterious Legacy of Q Lazzarus". PopMatters.
- Helman, Peter (August 11, 2018). "Mysterious "Goodbye Horses" Singer Q Lazzarus Breaks Her Silence 30 Years Later". Stereogum. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
