Dusty Springfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dusty Springfield
|
|
|---|---|
Springfield in 1966
|
|
| Born |
Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien
16 April 1939 London, England
|
| Died | 2 March 1999 (aged 59) Henley-on-Thames, England
|
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1958–1995 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres |
|
| Labels |
|
| Signature | |
 |
|
Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien (born 16 April 1939 – died 2 March 1999), known as Dusty Springfield, was a famous English singer. She had a special voice called a mezzo-soprano. Dusty was known for singing blue-eyed soul, pop, and dramatic songs. She also sang French chanson, country, and jazz.
In the 1960s, Dusty was one of the most successful British female singers. She was popular in both the UK and the US. Her look was iconic: blonde bouffant hair, lots of makeup (thick black eyeliner), and evening gowns. This made her a symbol of the Swinging Sixties.
Dusty was born in West Hampstead, London, into a family who loved music. She learned to sing at home. In 1958, she joined her first professional group, The Lana Sisters. Two years later, she formed a folk-pop trio called The Springfields with her brother Tom Springfield and Tim Feild. They had two big UK hits in 1963: "Island of Dreams" and "Say I Won't Be There". In 1962, they also had a hit in the US with "Silver Threads and Golden Needles".
Dusty's solo career began in late 1963 with "I Only Want to Be with You". This song was a UK No. 4 hit. It was the first of her six Top 40 hits in the 1960s that were popular in both the UK and US. Other hits included "Stay Awhile" (1964), "All I See Is You" (1966), and "I'll Try Anything" (1967). Her most famous songs are "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" (1966 UK No. 1/US No. 4) and "Son of a Preacher Man" (1968/69 UK No. 9/US No. 10). "Son of a Preacher Man" is from her 1968 album Dusty in Memphis, which is one of her most important works. In 2020, the US Library of Congress added it to the National Recording Registry. This registry saves important audio recordings.
Between 1964 and 1969, Dusty had many hits in Britain that were not as big in America. These included "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself", "In the Middle of Nowhere", "Some of Your Lovin'", and "Goin' Back". On the other hand, she had hits in the US that were not big in the UK, like "Wishin' and Hopin' ", "The Look of Love", and "The Windmills of Your Mind".
From 1971 to 1986, Dusty didn't have many hit songs. But in 1987, she worked with the UK synthpop group Pet Shop Boys on the song "What Have I Done to Deserve This?". This song brought her back to the top of the charts, reaching No. 2 in both the UK and US. They also had two more UK Top 20 hits in 1989: "Nothing Has Been Proved" and "In Private". In 1990, Dusty had her last UK Top 40 hit with "Reputation".
Dusty was often on British television. She hosted many episodes of the popular 1963–66 British TV music show Ready Steady Go!. From 1966 to 1969, she had her own shows on the BBC and ITV. In 1966, Dusty was voted the Best International Vocalist by Melody Maker. She was also the first UK singer to win the New Musical Express readers' poll for Female Singer. She is a member of both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the UK Music Hall of Fame. Many people around the world think she is one of the best female singers ever.
Contents
Dusty Springfield's Early Life
Dusty Springfield was born Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien on 16 April 1939. She was born in West Hampstead, London. Her parents were Gerard Anthony O'Brien and Catherine Anne O'Brien. Both of her parents had Irish family. Her older brother was Dionysius Patrick O'Brien, who later became known as Tom Springfield.
Dusty grew up in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and later in Ealing in west London. She went to St Anne's Convent School, which was an all-girls school. Her family loved music. Her father would tap rhythms on her hand and ask her to guess the song. She listened to many types of music, including jazz and singers like Peggy Lee. When she was 12, she recorded herself singing a song at a record shop.
Dusty's Music Career
Starting Out in Music (1958–1963)
After school, Dusty sang with her brother Tom in folk clubs. In 1958, she joined a group called The Lana Sisters. She changed her name to Shan and started experimenting with her look. As part of this group, she learned how to sing harmonies and use a microphone. They performed on TV and in live shows.
In 1960, Dusty left the Lana Sisters. She formed a folk-pop trio called The Springfields with Tom and Reshad Feild. They chose their name while practicing in a field in spring. They took the stage names Dusty, Tom, and Tim Springfield. The group went to Nashville, Tennessee, in the US, to record an album. While there, Dusty heard rhythm and blues music, which changed her style from folk to pop.
The Springfields were voted Top British Vocal Group in 1961 and 1962. Their two biggest hits were in 1963: "Island of Dreams" and "Say I Won't Be There". Both songs reached No. 5 on the charts. The group also appeared on the TV show Ready Steady Go!, which Dusty often helped host. Dusty left the band in October 1963. Her brother Tom continued to write and produce songs for other artists, like The Seekers.
Becoming a Solo Star (1963–1966)
Dusty released her first solo song, "I Only Want to Be with You", in November 1963. The song had a big, rich sound, like Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound". It included horns, backing singers, and strings. In January 1964, the song reached No. 4 in the UK. It was also a hit in the US, reaching No. 12. This song helped Dusty become a part of the British Invasion in America. It was the first song played on the TV show Top of the Pops when it started in 1964.
Dusty's first solo album, A Girl Called Dusty, came out in April 1964. It had many cover songs that she loved. The album reached No. 6 in the UK. In 1964, Dusty had five more hit songs. "Stay Awhile" was a success in both the UK and US. Two songs written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David were also big hits: "Wishin' and Hopin'" (US No. 6) and "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" (UK No. 3). The emotional "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" became a standard for her future songs.
In late 1964, Dusty went on tour in South Africa. She performed for a mixed audience, which was against the government's segregation rules. Because of this, she was sent out of the country. Dusty was one of the first British artists to refuse to perform for segregated audiences. She was voted the top British Female Singer in the New Musical Express readers' poll for four years in a row (1964-1967).
In 1965, Dusty had three more UK Top 40 hits: "Your Hurtin' Kinda Love", "In the Middle of Nowhere", and "Some of Your Lovin'". Her next album, Ev'rything's Coming Up Dusty, reached No. 6 in the UK.
In January 1965, Dusty took part in the Italian Song Festival. There, she heard a song called "Io Che Non Vivo (Senza Te)". An English version of this song, "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me", was released in March 1966. It quickly became No. 1 in the UK and reached No. 4 in the US. Dusty called it "good old schmaltz", and it became her most famous song.
In 1966, Dusty had three more UK hits: "Little By Little", "Goin' Back", and "All I See Is You". She also hosted her own BBC TV show called Dusty. Dusty often sang backing vocals for other artists using the name "Gladys Thong". She also loved Motown music. She helped introduce Motown to the UK by covering their songs and by arranging for groups like the Temptations and the Supremes to appear on Ready Steady Go!.
Later Success and Dusty in Memphis (1967–1969)
In 1967, Dusty's song "I'll Try Anything" was a hit in both the UK and US. Another important song from this time was "The Look of Love". This song was recorded for the James Bond parody film Casino Royale. It became one of Dusty's most famous US hits and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song.
In 1967, Dusty hosted the second season of her BBC TV show Dusty. Her album Where Am I Going? (1967) explored different music styles. Her 1968 album Dusty... Definitely also showed her range, from upbeat songs to emotional ballads. In 1968, she had a big UK hit with "I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten". Dusty also hosted another TV series called It Must Be Dusty. On one episode, she sang a duet with Jimi Hendrix.
By the late 1960s, Dusty wanted to try new things in her music. She signed with Atlantic Records, the same label as her idol Aretha Franklin. She went to Memphis, Tennessee, to record her album Dusty in Memphis. The producers wanted her natural voice to shine. Dusty felt nervous at first, but the album received great reviews.
In November 1968, the first song from the album, "Son of a Preacher Man", was released. It became a huge international hit, reaching No. 9 in the UK and No. 10 in the US. This song became even more popular when it was used in Quentin Tarantino's 1994 film Pulp Fiction. The movie's soundtrack sold millions of copies.
Dusty in Memphis didn't sell many copies when it first came out. However, over time, it became known as one of the greatest albums ever. In 2001, it received the Grammy Hall of Fame award.
In 1969, Dusty hosted her last BBC TV series, Decidedly Dusty. After 1969, Dusty didn't have as many big hits until her comeback in 1987. Her songs from the 1960s are still loved today. She was one of the best-selling UK singers of the 1960s.
The 1970s and 1980s
At the start of the 1970s, Dusty was a major star, but her record sales began to slow down. In 1970, her second album on Atlantic Records, A Brand New Me, was released. It didn't sell very well. Dusty also sang backing vocals on Elton John's album Tumbleweed Connection in 1971. She later signed with ABC Dunhill Records and released the album Cameo in 1973.
In the mid-1970s, Dusty took a break from music. She sang background vocals on Elton John's album Caribou (1974) and Anne Murray's album Together (1975).
In the late 1970s, Dusty released two albums on United Artists Records. The first was It Begins Again in 1978, which was well-received. Her 1979 album, Living Without Your Love, was not as successful. In 1979, she performed a charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
In 1980, Dusty sang the theme song for the movie The Stunt Man. She also released an album called White Heat in 1982, which had a new wave music sound. From 1971 to 1986, none of Dusty's songs reached the UK Top 40 or US Hot 100.
In 1987, Dusty's career got a big boost. She was asked by the Pet Shop Boys to sing a duet with their lead singer, Neil Tennant, on the song "What Have I Done to Deserve This?". This song became a huge hit, reaching No. 2 in both the US and UK. She also sang lead vocals on the song "Something in My Eyes" for Richard Carpenter. In 1988, she sang a duet with B. J. Thomas called "As Long as We Got Each Other", which was used as the theme song for the TV show Growing Pains.
Dusty returned to the studio with the Pet Shop Boys in 1988. They produced her song "Nothing Has Been Proved" for the movie Scandal. This song became her fifteenth UK Top 20 hit in 1989. Her next song, "In Private", also produced by the Pet Shop Boys, reached No. 14.
The 1990s and Final Years
Dusty's 1990 album, Reputation, was her third UK Top 20 studio album. Half of the album was written and produced by the Pet Shop Boys. In 1993, she recorded a duet with her friend Cilla Black called "Heart and Soul". Dusty's last album, A Very Fine Love, was released in 1995.
The last song Dusty recorded was "Someone to Watch Over Me" in 1995. Her final live performance was on a TV special in December 1995.
Dusty's Musical Style
Dusty Springfield was known for her unique blue-eyed soul sound, influenced by US pop music. Her voice was described as both strong and sensitive. She could sing many different styles, including pop, soul, folk, and rock'n'roll. Many people thought she sounded like a black American singer because her soul music was so convincing.
Dusty was a perfectionist in the studio. She would often record short phrases and single words many times to get them just right. She also liked to record in unusual places, like the ladies' toilets, because of the better sound.
Dusty Springfield's Personal Life
Dusty loved animals, especially cats. She was a supporter of animal protection groups. She also enjoyed reading maps and would sometimes get lost on purpose to practice finding her way.
Dusty Springfield's Passing
In January 1994, while recording her album A Very Fine Love, Dusty started to feel unwell. When she returned to England, doctors diagnosed her with breast cancer. She received treatment, and the cancer seemed to go away. In 1995, she promoted her new album. But by mid-1996, the cancer had returned. Dusty Springfield passed away in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on 2 March 1999, just before her 60th birthday.
Many fans and music stars, including Elvis Costello and the Pet Shop Boys, attended her funeral. She was cremated, and some of her ashes were buried in Henley. Her brother, Tom Springfield, scattered the rest of her ashes at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.
Dusty Springfield's Legacy
Dusty Springfield was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two weeks after her death. Her friend Elton John helped induct her, saying she was "the greatest white singer there ever has been".
Dusty made a big impact on the US music market, with 18 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 from 1964 to 1970. Quentin Tarantino's film Pulp Fiction helped bring her music back into the spotlight in 1994 by featuring "Son of a Preacher Man". This song helped the soundtrack sell over three million copies.
In 2008, singer-songwriter Shelby Lynne released a tribute album called Just a Little Lovin', featuring ten of Dusty's songs. The album was praised by critics and nominated for a Grammy Award.
Dusty was popular in Europe and recorded songs in French, German, and Italian. She also helped introduce many less-known soul singers to the UK audience. In April 1965, she hosted a special Motown episode of Ready Steady Go!, which featured the first national TV performances of many top Motown artists.
Dusty Springfield is a cultural icon of the Swinging Sixties. Her glamorous look, with her blonde bouffant hair and heavy makeup, made her instantly recognizable. She became a camp icon, especially for her ultra-glamorous style and emotional singing.
Awards and Tributes to Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield is in both the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1999) and the UK Music Hall of Fame (2006). She has been named among the top 25 female artists of all time by various music magazines and TV channels. In 2008, Rolling Stone magazine placed her at No. 35 on their "100 Greatest Singers of All Time" list.
In the 1960s, she won many popularity polls, including Melody Maker's Best International Vocalist in 1966. She was the first British singer to win the New Musical Express readers' poll for Female Singer in 1965, and she won it again in 1966, 1967, and 1969. Her album Dusty in Memphis has been listed among the greatest albums ever. In 2001, it received the Grammy Hall of Fame award.
In March 1999, Dusty was supposed to receive her award as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) at Buckingham Palace. This award was for her "services to popular music". Because she was ill, the medal was given to her in the hospital in January, with friends and family present. She passed away on the day she would have officially received the award.
Many films and stage musicals have been made or planned to celebrate her life. In 2006, an Australian stage musical called Dusty – The Original Pop Diva premiered. In 2012, a musical called Forever Dusty opened in New York City. In 2015, Dusty was named one of the 31 Icons of the 2015 LGBT History Month. On 8 November 2022, Dusty Springfield was honored with a Google Doodle to celebrate her life and career.
Dusty Springfield's Albums
- 1964 – A Girl Called Dusty
- 1965 – Ev'rything's Coming Up Dusty
- 1967 – Where Am I Going?
- 1968 – Dusty... Definitely
- 1968 – If You Go Away
- 1969 – Dusty in Memphis
- 1970 – A Brand New Me
- 1972 – See All Her Faces
- 1973 – Cameo
- 1978 – It Begins Again
- 1979 – Living Without Your Love
- 1982 – White Heat
- 1990 – Reputation
- 1995 – A Very Fine Love
- 2015 – Faithful (recorded in 1971)
Dusty Springfield on TV
Dusty Springfield hosted several TV music series:
| Television Shows | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1965 | The Sound of Motown | A special episode of Ready Steady Go! |
| 1966–67 | Dusty | Two seasons, each with six weekly parts |
| 1968 | It Must Be Dusty | Nine regular weekly episodes and a Christmas special |
| 1969 | Decidedly Dusty | Eight weekly episodes |
Images for kids
-
Dusty Springfield in 1966
-
Dusty Springfield's signature
-
Green Plaque at Ealing Fields School, which Dusty attended
-
Dusty Springfield in 1965
-
Plaque at 38–40 Aubrey Walk, London
-
Dusty Springfield at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, 1968
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Dusty Springfield para niños
