Season 6 - Episode 2; Lanah P - Pistol in my Pocket!

Lanah P is new on the podcast this week. A pioneering LGBTQ Person of Colour, Lanah was born in Grimsby, an English fishing port. Often derided in earlier times with the words - It's grim in Grimsby, it clearly was for Lanah, who left at 17 for Manchester. There, Lanah became a drag artist, performed at the notoriously tough working men's clubs of the era, and quickly learned the art of putting down the hecklers.

Lanah's time in Manchester led to a friendship with Mark E. Smith of The Fall and ended up supporting the band on tour. It was one of many directions Lanah's career was to take.

Lanah came to my attention during the 1980s, through Leigh Bowery, and a pop single, Pistol in my Pocket. Produced by Pete Waterman the single became a hit on the Australian charts. Leigh dressed Lanah, and they became friends.

In Britain, Lanah's probably best known for the Comic Strip Presents film Eat the Rich, a role that came about after meeting actor and writer Keith Allen, the father of pop star Lily Allen.

There's more to Lanah's story, the stage, and film performances, but this hour gives an insight into the life of an LGBTQ pioneer who has led an uncompromising life through the bigotry and hate-filled 70s through to the more accepting days of today.

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