Silvia Kohan papers, 1948-2007

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Scope and content:: 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
Acquisition information:: Gift of Feliza Kohan on July 4, 2007.

Subjects:: Lesbians
Jews
Music
Latinx people
Latinas
Jewish lesbians
Lesbian musicians
Jewish people

Access and use

Restrictions:: Collection is open for research. Funding for processing this collection was provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Terms of access:: Copyright has been transferred to the GLBT Historical Society.

Location of this collection:: GLBT Historical Society

989 Market Street, Lower Level

San Francisco, CA 94103, US