Rusty Warren: Mother of the Sexual Revolution

A comedic trailblazer, Rusty Warren's bawdy act of monologue-filled romps and naughty sing-alongs not only entertains audiences, but enlightens them in matters of female sexuality. More than just smut, her performances have a point. Yes, have a point, for Rusty's work is much like the bullet bra of the 50's -- it still holds up today.

Born Ilene Goldman in New York in 1931, raised in Milton, Massachusetts, she attended the New England Conservatory of Music. In 1952, she graduated from the conservatory and became a teacher. A boyfriend started Ilene on the path to becoming "Rusty" when he suggested she spent the summer performing in a piano lounge in upstate New York.

The young teacher was too young to drink, but she enjoyed all the nightclub had to offer "Honey, I could sing and play and joke and flirt." Her first performances were not risqué at all. She was simply playing piano in small lounges and clubs. Then one of her bosses asked her if she could sing parodies -- If she could, he'd pay her more money. She did. But overtime, a nightclub act of her own began to hatch.

Encouraged by the success of parodies and influenced by the underground recordings of Sophie Tucker and Ruth Wallis, her own explicit style began to develop. Rusty Warren was born.

Mixing saucy parodies with blue stand-up humor, Rusty exposed male hypocrisy and gender stereotypes to a conservative American public. Exploiting the reality in relationships, marriage and sexual encounters, she challenged the repressive American attitudes toward women and sex. To put it bluntly: Rusty Warren illustrated how silly it is to act as if women don't have sexual appetites.

Rusty wasn't the first, but she did so in an era when she was swimming upstream. It was a time when a woman was really putting herself on the line to tackle such an act. She risked dismissal, being branded a slut, and being dismissed for being a slut. But Rusty developed a playful style of performance that walked the lines of truth and humor, of entertainment and enlightenment, sass and class.

Taking real life situations, often from what she'd see in the audience in front of her, Rusty had listeners rolling in the isles. Her insightful comedy routines exposed the subject of sex from a female perspective by making fun of both men and women. Using songs and audience participation, folks became part of the act as well as part of the joke, but they never felt attacked. Her humor may have hit below-the-belt as far as material was concerned, but it was never mean.

There were only a few performers doing so-called blue or risqué comedy, and Rusty was considered the "tame one" as she didn't use any four-letter words as did Belle Barth or Pearl Williams. She used innuendo, double entendres and other word play to allude to parts and acts -- like a burlesque dancer, her performances leave things to the imagination.

She played her act every where she could get work. No easy feat, as many of the clubs weren't ready for "sex talk" -- no matter how funny or "tame" it was. Many nights folks in the audience would get up and walk out. But those that stayed enjoyed themselves and proved that indeed, sex does sell. Clubs that took a chance on Rusty wanted her back again and again. She became so popular on the midwest circuit that club owners told each other "Buy that Rusty Warren gal-- she's naughty but you'll make money."

Rusty Warren on TV with Jan Murray and Red Mcllvaine

Rusty was too naughty for television. She did make it on a few daytime talk shows to plug her club act, but wasn't allowed to perform. It was sit, be pretty, and don't scare the executives!

In 1959 she signed with the Jubilee label, and issued her debut record, Songs for Sinners. Later that year, in a performance in Ohio, she introduced her trademark number, "Knockers Up," a call for women to show the guys we women have something to give in this world. Her performances were becoming wildly popular, especially with women, who now became Knockers Up Club Members. They drove miles, even chartered buses, bringing their husbands, friends and neighbors to come to see Rusty's shows.

In 1960 her Knockers Up! album became a surprise word-of-mouth smash, reaching the Top Ten and remaining on the charts for over three years. Like many successful performers, Rusty was now seen as an Overnight Sensation, despite her years in the clubs.

In 1961, Sin-Sational! and Rusty Warren Bounces Back were released. Bounces Back features the track "Bounce Your Boobies" -- A song which has enjoyed a new popularity as it is played every Friday at the beginning of The Randi Rhodes Show on Air America Radio. Though the song may be most famously performed by Bette Midler, it's the Rusty Warren performance used on show.

Both Sin-Sational! and Bounces Back hit the Top 40 and solidified her cult following. The 1962 LP Rusty Warren in Orbit was another Top 40 success. Rusty was riding high as The Queen of Party records and enjoying her full status as a notorious figure.

And 1963's Banned in Boston also charted. But the world was changing. The assassination of John F. Kennedy and other cultural shifts brought difficult times for many comics. And then there was the sexual revolution.

The late 60's saw the sexual revolution in full force and like burlesque, Rusty's risque humor became 'old hat' or 'too cute' when compared to other more explicit entertainment options. One could argue that with the success of her act Rusty had literally put herself out of business.

Rusty continued to perform and record. She released Sex X Xponent and Bottoms Up! but had to wait until 1966's More Knockers Up! to return to the charts. In 1976, in celebration of the nation's bicentennial, she issued Knockers Up '76. She retired at 60, occasionally returning to the club stage for tributes and benefit performances. In 2000, she was presented with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" in Comedy at the Improv comedy club.

Rusty no longer performs, but she's alive, kickin' and still handing out the jokes, commentary & advice. You can find out more about Rusty Warren at her website, as well as at the newly launched Knockers Up!, where Rusty's Official Fan Club will once again spread the words of Rusty herself.