Edith Massey

Edith "Edie" Massey (May 28, 1918 – October 24, 1984) was an American actress and singer. Massey was best known for her appearances in a series of movies by director John Waters. She was one of the Dreamlanders, Waters's stable of regular cast and crew members. 
Born in New York City and raised in an orphanage in Denver, Colorado, before running away to Hollywood as a teenager. She met director John Waters while working as a barmaid and as the owner of a thrift shop, Edith's Shopping Bag at Fells Point, Baltimore, in the late 1960s. Captured by her effervescent charm, Waters cast Massey in Multiple Maniacs (1970) as Jesus's mother. Her next role was as Mama Edie in Pink Flamingos (1972). She appeared in many of Water's earlier films leading up to Polyester (1981), as well as being the subject of a biographical short film, Love Letter to Edie (1975).
After her role as Queen Carlotta in Desperate Living (1977), Massey embarked on a singing career which lead to a nationwide tour, usually performing cover songs including "Big Girls Don't Cry" and "Punks, Get Off the Grass" Fellow Dreamlander Cookie Mueller occasionally performed as a backup singer. Sadly, Edith Massey passed away in October of 1984.
== Links to Peel ==
Peel admired the work of Edith Massey in her films and songs. He admitted on his 04 March 1995 (BFBS) show that he had an autographed picture of her:
"We have an autographed picture of Edith Massey in our kitchen at home, very possibly the only kitchen in Britain with such an artifact"
In 1983 on the Portrait Of The Artist As A Consumer feature in the NME, he mentioned Edith Massey as his favourite actress.
== Shows Played ==
;thumb|330x330px1982
*18 October 1982: Punks, Get Off The Grass (7" - Big Girls Don't Cry / Punks, Get Off The Grass) Egg ESP001
*31 October 1982 (BFBS): Punks, Get Off The Grass (7" - Big Girls Don't Cry / Punks, Get Off The Grass) Egg ESP001
*15 November 1982: Big Girls Don't Cry (7" - Big Girls Don't Cry / Punks, Get Off The Grass) Egg ESP001
*25 November 1982: Big Girls Don't Cry (7" - Big Girls Don't Cry / Punks, Get Off The Grass) Egg ESP001 (JP: 'Dare we hope for an LP? I've written to Egg Records in Hollywood suggesting one or two titles that she might like to "cover."')
*01 December 1982 (BFBS): Big Girls Don't Cry (7" - Big Girls Don't Cry / Punks, Get Off The Grass) Egg ESP001
;1983
*03 March 1983: Big Girls Don't Cry (7" - Big Girls Don't Cry / Punks, Get Off The Grass) Egg ESP001
;1988
*02 May 1988: Big Girls Don't Cry (7" - Big Girls Don't Cry / Punks, Get Off The Grass) Egg ESP001
;thumb|330x330px1989
*01 June 1989: Punks, Get Off The Grass (7" - Big Girls Don't Cry / Punks, Get Off The Grass) Egg ESP001
;1995
*25 February 1995: Punks, Get Off The Grass (7" - Big Girls Don't Cry / Punks, Get Off The Grass) Egg ESP001
*04 March 1995 (BFBS): 'Punks, Get Off The Grass (7" - Big Girls Don't Cry / Punks, Get Off The Grass) Egg ESP001
== See Also ==
*Portrait Of The Artist As A Consumer
== External Links ==
*Wikipedia
*Discogs
Category:Artists
Category:Actors
Category:People