Patty Donahue facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Patty Donahue
Patty Donahue onstage, 1982
Background information
Birth name	Patricia Jean Donahue
Born	(1956-03-29)March 29, 1956
Origin	Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Died	December 9, 1996(1996-12-09) (aged 40) New York, New York, U.S.
Genres	New wave
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	1978–1996

Patty Donahue (born Patricia Jean Donahue on March 29, 1956 – died December 9, 1996) was an American singer. She was best known as the lead singer of the popular 1980s new wave band called The Waitresses. She became famous for singing on the band's hit songs "I Know What Boys Like" and "Christmas Wrapping".

Early Life

Patricia Jean Donahue was born on March 29, 1956, in Akron, Ohio. Her parents separated when she was two years old. Her mother taught her to be a strong and independent woman.

Patty went to St. Joseph Academy in Cleveland, just like her mother and sister. She later studied at Ohio State University and Cleveland State University. She finally graduated from Kent State University. Before becoming a singer, she worked as a waitress.

Music Career

Patty Donahue met Chris Butler while they were at Kent State University. Chris was in another band, but he had written many songs that his band did not use. He was looking for a singer for these songs.

Chris Butler once stood on a chair in a bar and asked if anyone wanted to sing a funny and different song. Patty Donahue said yes. This is how she became the lead singer of The Waitresses.

Patty Donahue helped change how women were seen in rock music during the new wave era. Even though Chris Butler wrote the songs, many fans and music writers thought Patty was the most important part of the band. She did not just sing words someone else wrote. She said she was also sharing her own feelings and experiences through the songs.

During the recording of the band's second album, Bruiseology, Patty left The Waitresses for a short time. She soon rejoined the band. Famous rock singer Alice Cooper personally asked Patty to sing a duet with him. He loved her voice and style. Patty sang with him on his song "I Like Girls."

After her time with The Waitresses, Patty Donahue stopped performing music. She started working behind the scenes in the music industry. She helped find new musical talent for MCA Publishing. Later, she became an A&R (Artists and Repertoire) representative for MCA Records. This job involved finding and developing new artists for the record label.

Death

Grave of Patty Donahue and her mother Joan

Patty Donahue passed away on December 9, 1996, in New York. She was 40 years old. She died from lung cancer. Patty was buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery [Wikidata] in Brook Park, Ohio, which is near Cleveland.