Kim Gordon (born 1953 in Rochester) is an American musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the bassist, guitarist, and vocalist of
Sonic Youth,
which she formed with Thurston Moore, Lee Renaldo and Richard Edson in 1981.
After graduating from the Otis College of Art and Design in L.A. she moved to New York, and worked for several Soho art galleries in the early 1980s. At Jo Bear's request she compiled an exhibition for his new White Columns gallery in 1982.
Mike Kelley and
Tony Oursler were participants.
Dan Graham invited her to join a performance of an all female rock band, which marked the start of her first band, CJM.
In addition to her work as a musician, Gordon has had ventures in record producing, fashion (X-Girl), writing, acting, directing and has worked consistently as a visual artist throughout her musical career. Gordon is also a founding member of the musical project Free Kitten, which she formed with Julia Cafritz in 1993.
