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Title: Silvia Kohan papers
Dates: 1948-2007
Collection Number: 2008-46
Creator/Collector:
Extent: 2 linear feet (1 carton, 2 boxes)
Repository:
GLBT Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94103
Abstract: The Silvia Kohan papers document the life and musical career of this Argentinian-Jewish lesbian singer and songwriter and
contains journals; scrapbooks; correspondence and e-mails; photographs that date back to her childhood; music and lyrics;
publicity materials; DVDs and audio recordings of her music, materials from her memorial; and costumes.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research.
Funding for processing this collection was provided by the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Copyright has been transferred to the GLBT Historical Society.
[Identification of item]. Silvia Kohan papers. Collection Number: 2008-46. GLBT Historical Society
Gift of Feliza Kohan on July 4, 2007.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Silvia Kohan papers document the life and musical career of this Argentinian-Jewish lesbian singer and songwriter. Kohan
(1948-2003) was known for her big voice, flamboyant costumes and showy stage presence. Her family emigrated from Argentina
in 1957 when she was ten years old, and she learned English by singing show tunes. Starting in 1965, she toured Europe, Asia
and the U.S. with “Up With People.” Kohan was also a lead performer in the Venice Free Theatre in Los Angeles. Her only commercial
album, “Finally Real,” was produced by George Winston and released in 1984. Her best known original song was called "Fat Girl
Blues." The collection contains journals; scrapbooks; correspondence and e-mails; photographs that date back to her childhood;
music and lyrics; publicity materials; DVDs and audio recordings of her music, performances, and life; materials from her
memorial; and costumes. The photographs are unsorted, but Kohan’s sister, Feliza, has identified many of them.
GSSO Linked Terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000381; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_007701; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_004300;
http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_007641; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_001825
Lesbians
Jewish people
Music
Latinx people
Latinas