| Rusty Warren | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ilene Goldman |
| Born | March 17, 1931 New York City |
| Medium | Stage, now |
| Nationality | United States |
| Subject(s) | Sex |
| Website | http://www.RustyWarren.com |
Rusty Warren (born March 17, 1931) is an American comedian and musician.
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Warren was born Ilene Goldman in New York City and adopted six months later by a couple from Milton, Massachusetts. She studied piano at the New England Conservatory of Music and then taught there briefly after obtaining her degree. Her musical mentor at the time was Arthur Fiedler, who later became the conductor of the Boston Pops.
She recorded for Jubilee Records, then GNP Crescendo Records which reissued some of her earlier Jubilee albums.
Known as the Knockers Up Gal, she has frequently been called the mother of the sexual revolution. Her career began in the early 1950s in Phoenix, Arizona. Later she moved her act to Las Vegas, Nevada. Her comedy routines exposed the subject of sex from a female perspective. Her most famous contribution to the sexual revolution was the song "Knockers Up" from the 1960 album of the same name. The women in the audience were encouraged to stand up and march through the room with "their knockers held high." This was followed by the song "Bounce Your Boobies" in which Warren encouraged women to relieve themselves of their bras.
Her material was considered very advanced for its day and considered extremely raunchy. Her albums were tucked away by many parents so their children could not listen to them. She was the first comedian to openly discuss sex at a time when sex was just not discussed publicly. She lost popularity as the sexual revolution of the late '60s started to take hold and the topic was no longer taboo.
Warren, who lives in Honolulu, is very active in local charities. She vacations in Palm Springs and Hollywood with friends and hosts her website. Warren recently produced a DVD that chronicles her life in show business. The DVD, Rusty Warren: Knockers Up! The Lady Behind the Laughs, was released by GNP Crescendo in 2008.