REMEMBERING DUSTY . . .
Under London's damp skies
you heard the call.
Defying the shadows of a predictable life
you chose to kindle your own inner light.
And in projecting this always fragile, flickering flame,
in your voice and in your songs,
you forged a way of hope and promise
for distant small town girls,
for lonely, "different" boys,
and for all trusting of the possibilty
of transformation, of new life.
Masked woman, bandit queen
artfully blending pale lipstick and black mascara,
hair of brittleness and gestures of fluidity
into a shamanic whole;
birthing pathways beyond all that
seek to hinder, divide and limit;
and crossing the threshold
with rhythmic flourishes of hand and body,
and with spring flowers in your hair.
Yet it was your voice that entranced,
that held tenderly and knowingly
our most cherished dreams and hopes;
your voice that carried us across that threshold
and into the sacred realm of eros
where dreams of journey and discovery
chart the soul's trajectory
along serpentine rivers within;
and lead us all to Memphis' fertile shores
and to new worlds dawning.
Yet the Quest can ran aground -
with hopes left drowning and
dreams stranded on barren Californian peaks.
Your voice however stayed true,
though few sought to listen,
as you sang songs of perception and insight;
of the truth that waves of anguish and pain
can serve to lift to higher, hitherto unknown, ground.
It was across these sacred fields that you walked in solitude -
searching, questioning, growing.
Quests within the Quest, demanding at times silence.
And then, at last, your return!
Like the flowing robe of a Celtic priestess of old,
your voice once more draped and carried
our purest and sweetest dreams
within its warm velvet folds.
You were not though to stay forever within our reach,
for a greater river than the one beside which
you built your sanctuary, would claim and hold you
in its terrifying, wondrous current.
It takes courage to resist
but a greater, deeper courage to let go
and embrace the ultimate transformation.
You displayed both in their due season,
and revealed once again for us
the noble path to follow;
the trusting, ever hopeful spirit to embody.
Michael J. Bayly
March 7, 1999
[1] Hello, I'm a big fan of Dusty. I'm very sad over her passing - but if I may,
I'd like to tell you why she means so much to me. It's all about identifying with her, isn't it?
The pale fragile face with the brassiness to bear the audience; the
sense of quest and never quite belonging that she seemed to have experienced
all her life. It's songs like "Goin' Back" which she interprets
beautifully which are so heartbreaking. It's the hokeyness of "Island of Dreams" and
the fantastic phrasing of "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself."
The lines from Nick Drake's "Cello Song" posted on the site are just
perfect [March 1999 News]. They were two of a
kind I think - had the blues in their soul, lived through the long slow dusk of
England in the 1950s.
Steve, UK
[2] I'm very sad about the passing of Dusty. She became in the last
few years one of my favourite (probably THE favourite) female singers. I discovered her
Dusty in Memphis in a very dark period of my life, and songs like
"No Easy Way Down" or "Just A Little Lovin'" brought me great
comfort from pain. Her voice was full of love, tenderness, humanity and everything else that makes
magical having a woman by your side. I think her songs will always remain
by my side. The words of Nick Drake you chose fit perfectly. They are very touching.
I loved them both. Thank you Dusty. You're no longer with us, but now we
can try to make it alone . . .
Carlo
Turin, Italy.
[3] Truly - the greatest singer of the world. She sent me an autographed
photo in 1966. I met her in New York City when she appeared at the
Grand Finale. She was a most incredible woman!
Jim
Danbury, CT.
[4] I am broken-hearted to hear the sad news that Dusty has died. My sister called from
Connecticut to tell me of the news. This is the same sister who introduced me to
Dusty's voice back in the '60s when we were kids. It was an instant love of the voice. We thought she
was breathtakingly beautiful and we enjoyed the power house of a voice
that she possessed. What a wonderful welcomed gift of the British Invasion!
I have never been fortunate enough to see her in person, but I still
have her LPs, CDs and yes, even her 45s! I recall some years back on an Anne Murray
special taped at the Royal Albert Hall when Dusty was the surprise guest.
The orchestra began the intro to "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me"
and the audience roared and leapt to their feet! Dusty needed no introduction.
I don't think the public ever forgot her - certainly the Brits didn't and
neither did her true fans here in the States. Bacharach actually wrote "The Look of Love"
for her voice and when we hear it now, we will see her and hear only her. Her voice captured everything
she sang with sincerity and we understood what she said to us. We loved the voice, the power
and the woman. Absolutely the White Queen of Soul! From the Springfields' "Silver Threads and Golden Needles"
to her last song; we have the songs you gave us - and we thank you, Dusty, for the voice you shared
with the world, it was a Very Fine Love. "You don't have to say you love me just be close at hand.
You don't have to stay forever, I will understand . . ." You loved us without the words and we loved you.
Your pain is now through - ours has just begun: "You don't have to say you love me I will understand.
You don't have to stay forever, I will understand . . . Believe me I can't help but love you . . ."
Much love . . .
Becky
Limestone, Maine, USA
[5] I had my first boyhood crush on Dusty when she was
singing with The Springfields. I don't think I ever got over my crush.
We love her and she will be missed. Her music will go on forever.
John Boyle
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
[6] From the very first time I heard "Goin' Back" on my
walkman in a crowded Frankfurt airport in 1989, I have felt close to
Dusty through her beautiful music. Take care, Dusty. You will always
live in my heart.
Forest Stilin
New York
[7] I was very sad to hear of Dusty's passing on the radio early
this morning. I'm a fairly recent fan of hers, having heard her music just
a few years ago, but I really grew to like her and her music very much.
It's funny I guess, I bought a few vinyl LPs of hers just three days ago,
and listened to "A Brand New Me" just last night. It's sad that she passed
away around that same time. Her music and legacy will live on forever, and I'm
fortunate to have listened to her music, gotten to know her through this
website and various others on the internet, and to have become a fan of hers, as we
all have. I'll miss her very much, as all of us will who admired her a great deal.
God bless you Dusty. You were a lovely woman. We'll never forget you.
Steve Schauer
San Jose, California, USA
[8] You sure knew how to belt out a tune, Dusty. I'll miss
you, my pretty green-eyed soul-sister . . .
Steven Juarez
[9] I have just heard that Dusty has passed away. This is a very sad day.
Phil
Germany
[10] What a very sad day this has been. I heard the news
of Dusty's death from a very dear friend who had heard the news on BBC
Radio 2 at 11:00 am. I was sitting at my desk at work. I first joined the
Springfields Fan Club in 1963 and have loved all of Dusty's work ever since.
I received her two new CDs only yesterday. I am so glad that I actually saw Dusty in concert
and met her. She was always very gracious. I am so glad that she received
her OBE and I know that she is now out of pain and in a better place. My love
goes out to her and my thoughts are with all of Dusty's fans who are missing her
so badly today and always. That wonderful voice. Oh, how I loved it and
those magnificent songs. No one will ever be able to take her place. God Bless.
Rosemary Bell
Guildford, Surrey, England
[11] I first heard Dusty when I was about 10 years old.
Back in 1964 AM radio was big. The Brits were invading US. Most AM
radio stations played mostly British groups and our Motown sound, both of
which I loved. There was so much talent from England and Dusty was
one of them. I remember her appearing on The Hollywood Palace, a
'60s variety show. My favorite song is "All I See is You", not the most
popular one but boy, could Dusty belt out those lyrics. She was like a
female version of Tom Jones. Dusty is part of my collection of tunes
that take me back. I loved her sound. Gone but not forgotten. Dusty, you
left us way too soon.
David F. Franciosi
Arlington, Virginia, USA
[12] Another light has gone out in our universe, but Dusty was a
shining example of courage. She gave an enormous amount of pleasure with her
unique voice and talent. It would have been an honour to have met her. You
will be sadly missed. Rest in Peace.
Trevor Askew
Ipswich, Suffolk, UK
[13] Hi, my name is Gad and I love Dusty's songs. Every night I hear the Israeli
radio station, Radio Tel Aviv, and every night they play Dusty's song "Son-Of-A Preacher
Man". I don't know how to get it - that the wonderful woman who sings this song is dead. But
I'm sure that finally I will be able to get it. The homepage that I
built is for a young (13-year-old) Israeli singer (and actress too)
that I'm sure will be the next Dusty Springfield when she grows up. I will miss Dusty.
Gad Chernobilski
Israel
[14] Dusty's songs meant a lot to me. I will miss her terribly. I only wish
I had seen her in concert. May she be at peace. Heaven must have one hell of a band!
Barbara Kuebler
Arlington, Texas, USA
[15] I got a copy of The Dusty Springfield
Anthology about a year ago and it was only then that I
realized what an extraordinary talent she was. Her voice was great,
and she had that rare ability to take someone else's song and make it her
own. I'll miss her - but at least her music will live on.
Gregor Turley
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
[16] Another golden voice of pop silenced. Truly, God has
given Dusty Springfield a well-deserved rest. To you, white diva . . . I'LL MISS YOU.
Ed Ching
Manila, Philippines
[17] "Live my days instead of counting my years." I'll try to make
that my philosophy, Dusty. Thank you for everything.
Sylvia
Portland, Oregon, USA
[18] Born in 1961, my earliest childhood memories are of watching
and listening to Dusty Springfield drop-down 45's on the record player. My
mum played these whilst she did the housework. Everytime I hear one
of those records today I remember the innocent days of childhood when
the world was a big place the other side of the garden fence. I feel like I lost
something today. Dusty, I will not forget about you - THANKS.
G
Sweden (Born in London)
[19] Like so many the news shocked me. I was a fan the
moment I heard her with brother Tom singing "Island of Dreams." as a
teenager in the early sixties to now, I've been a fan. She was THE greatest
UK vocalist. There is/was no competition. I just feel so sad. Kit, still
a fan at fifty.
Christopher
London, UK
[20] Today my princess died. I have been devoted to Dusty since 1964. Rest in peace.
Kevin Gazzard
Australia
