Richard
[222] During the sixties, I knew of Dusty through her best-selling songs.
Later on, I discovered some of the true classics hidden away in albums, such as "Just One Smile,"
"I Think It's Gonna Rain Today," and my own particular favourite, "Magic Garden." Of all the
singers this country has produced, Dusty is and always will be the finest. A superb voice, superb
interpretation, and that intangible thing called Star Quality in abundance. Her
vulnerability added to, not detracted from the whole package. Dusty - you are now in the most
magical garden of all gardens, and I know you will be the brightest shining star. Thank you
for the pleasure you have given and the legacy you have left. I for one will make sure as many
people as possible get to hear all these beautiful songs.
Mike Davies
[223] I am deeply saddened by such a great loss! I'll never forget her beautiful voice.
She has always been my favorite female vocalist since the sixties, and I had always hoped
that one day I would have had the pleasure of meeting her. May God always keep her in His
precious care! I will truly miss her.
Nancy W.
[224] I've been reading these messages for more than a week now, but every time I've
tried to write my own I've found myself at a loss for words. I'm trying again - I hope all
will forgive me if I ramble a bit. Unlike many who have posted here, I bacame a fan of Dusty's only
recently - I began listening to an oldies radio station to hear some vintage Motown, and
discovered Dusty as well. Though the station played only a few of her songs with any regularity ("I Only Want To Be With You",
"Wishin' and Hopin'", "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me", and "Son of a Preacher Man"), I knew
right away that her voice, and the way she used it, were extraordinary. I began searching the internet for more
of her music and more information about her, and discovered (1) that the few songs I'd heard barely
scratched the surface of her talent; and (2) that she was not only an exquisite vocalist, but
a remarkable person. Upon reading the information on the Woman of Repute and A Girl Called
Dusty websites, I was impressed by her efforts in championing Motown in the UK, and by her courage
and integrity in insisting on performing for non-segregated audiences in South Africa in 1964, and in
acknowledging, decades before it became almost trendy, that she was "as perfectly capable of being
swayed by a girl as by a boy." As to her music (and thank God we will always have that), I've
acquired the newly-reissued Dusty in Memphis and Dusty in London, as well as the Anthology box
set (which I received in the mail only a day before she died), and the more I hear, the more I want to hear. I had read reports of her illness, of
course, but her death still came as a shock. I'd been hoping against hope that she'd somehow manage to
overcome it once again. I know it's a blessing that she's now been freed from suffering with cancer,
but at the same time it's hard to accept that she's gone. I'm sorry she didn't have the chance to
collect her OBE in person at Buckingham Palace, or to be present at her (long overdue) induction into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I'm thankful, though, that she knew of the honors before her
death. Finally, I'd like to extend my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Mary O'Brien.
Her passing is difficult enough for those of us who knew and loved Dusty through her music; I
can only imagine it is exponentially worse for those who were closest to her. My thoughts and prayers, and undoubtedly
those of many other fans, are with you.
Elizabeth Eastwood
[225] Dusty . . . eternally. Farewell my lovely.
Robert
[226] Dusty, you will be missed. You were a trailblazer, and were one
of the first that started my love of music. Farewell my lovely, and see you on that Sweet Ride.
Mike
[227] There is not a lot that I can say about Dusty that has not been said before by others.
I grew up with Dusty's music and I remember that all that was necessary was for her to hit the
first note of a song and you knew it would be gold. All you had to do for your part was
simply sit back and enjoy. My deepest sympathy to all who loved her. She will indeed be
missed.
Phil Bowie
[228] We close our eyes and count to ten . . . and you are still here for us.
Annie Bowden and Ruth Clayton
[229] My name's Wally and I run The Joni Mitchell Homepasge. I posted this message on
Joni's website the day after Dusty died: Before Joni Mitchell, before Laura Nyro, before
almost all singers, there was for me Dusty Springfield. Her songs "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me,"
"The Look of Love" and "I Only Want To Be With You" are staples in my record collection. I heard this
morning that Dusty died yesterday in London after fighting breast cancer for the last 5 years. Recently, Rhino
Records released expanded editions of a couple of Dusty's albums, including the classic, Dusty
in Memphis, and I've been enjoying the extra 14 tracks which were added to the 11 songs originally on the album.
In fact, just last night, I introduced my young friend, Dan, to Dusty's albums. He had heard
"Son Of a Preacher Man" in the film Pulp Fiction, but hadn't heard much else. He loved
the track "The Windmills of Your Mind" so much that he made me repeat it a few times. At the end of our evening, I gave Dan my original
CD of Dusty in Memphis and he told me that he listened to it when he went to sleep last night,
only to be awakened this morning by the radio with news that Dusty had passed away yesterday.
I'm happy that Dusty's music continues to be passed along to new fans who can appreciate her
great talent and investigate her huge calalog, and I imagine being able to hear all those
wonderful songs for the first time as a new fan, and that makes me feel happy. But I feel such
deep sadness that Dusty didn't live to accept her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame. She deserves this accolade and so much more for all the beautiful music she made for more than 40 years.
Long live Dusty Springfield's music.
Wally Breese
[230] With deepest sympathy to Dusty's family and friends. I grew up with her
music and she will live on for ever.
Brian Cearnes
[231] Hey, Dusty - where've you gone? Up into the great blue yonder like the songbird you
are, I suppose! But thanks for leaving us such a wonderful legacy to remember you by. In my
life there's been one of your songs for every possible occasion. All that it suffices to say is that upon hearing
Dusty's version of one of her own songs ("Goin' Back"), Carole King burst into tears because it was
so perfect . . . Amen to that.
Linda
[232] You've been gone for almost two weeks and I've just found out.
Where have I been? You will live on in my mind as you were 35 years ago.
Bill
[233] Back in the early 1960s, I used to work in a "record shop" in England. It was a
"Saturday job." It was a good place to meet girls and talk and laugh. I remember one
Saturday checking out the new releases - very few per week in those days - and it was then that I first
heard THE SPRINGFIELDS - a brother, sister and pal group. They were very good. The girl had "black
eyes" and she was incredibly beautiful. The songs came and were great. A little while later, I
learned that the group had split up and Dusty was to launch a solo career. She recorded great songs
and was a fabulous looking woman with great talent and the ability to talk. I have never ever understood why her
career never reached the heights that lesser talented people have achieved. I must have been living in a vacuum as I only learned that
she died the other day. I am deeply saddened. I am especially saddened to learn that she died of breast cancer. I
thought that if this could be detected early, then it is treatable. Obviously not, as Dusty and Linda McCartney
prove. Dear, dear Dusty, she gave us great songs and her "look" helped paint the '60s in
our minds forever. I will miss knowing that you are here on earth. Always to be remembered.
Charles Jenkins
[234] As a singer, Dusty was an enormous influence on me as a child . . .
the grace, precision, style, strength and sensitivity in her approach to every piece of
music she recorded is evident in the emotional impact we are all recounting here . . . I just have to say Thank You
and God Bless.
Susannah Keith
[235] A wonderful woman. A wonderful singer. Rest in Peace Dusty.
Valeriena Williams
[236] I remember in the '60s finding Dusty to be a lovely lady with
lovely personality. I was sad then that things didn't seem to work out for her; she never
seemed to have what she deserved. Today I learnt of her death. If there's an afterlife, I pray
for her to be happy.
Michael Keating
[237] I spent many an hour listening to Dusty while a teenager. Hearing a song of hers
instantly brings me back. Loved you, girl.
Nancy
[238] As a young girl, I have always enjoyed Dusty's music. My very
favorite is "Wishin' and Hopin'". I have been consoled so many times by that song. There are many
more of her hits that I enjoy as well. I will never forget Dusty and the inspiration she gave me.
May her music always live on!!
Annette Blalock
[239] Loved so many of her songs, "Wishin' and Hopin'" being my favorite. Will miss her.
A beautiful lady, beautiful voice and beautiful soul. Rest in peace Dusty.
Linda Martin
[240] I will miss her.
Richard
North Wales
Lockport, New York, USA
Falls Church, Virginia, USA
Chicago, Illinois, USA
California, USA
Ontario, Canada
England
San Francisco, California, USA
The Joni Mitchell Homepage
Sydney, Australia
Scotland
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
The Susannah Keith Homepage
Southampton, England
France (but originally UK)
Connecticut, USA
Clayton, North Carolina, USA
Evington, Virginia, USA
Sacramento, California, USA
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WOMAN OF REPUTE CONTENTS PAGE
DUSTY SPRINGFIELD: AN INTRODUCTION
EARLY SUCCESS |
SIXTIES ICON |
DIFFICULT |
TROUBLE MAKER |
AMERICA |
MEMPHIS |
PHILADELPHIA SOUL |
WILDERNESS YEARS |
IT BEGINS AGAIN? |
WHITE HEAT |
PET SHOP BOYS |
REPUTATION |
NASHVILLE |
THE VOICE
SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY
ARTICLES | REVIEWS
RELATED SITES