<Commemorative Page 10>

REMEMBERING DUSTY . . .

[181] My mother and I loved "Silver Threads and Golden Needles", so many years ago. Would love to hear it again. Of course we loved other of her songs, but that one was my favorite for sure. I played that album over and over, and purchased other of her singles. When I saw the note that she had passed away I had to write something.

Annie Johnson
Nebraska, USA

[182] We will love you and we will definitely miss your music and your songs forlornly. We are truly saddened and our hearts are missing you tremendously. Be a good girl in Heaven, as you were here on Earth. And belovedly adieued!!! Lovingly, Alfredo M. Munoz Jr.

Alfedo M. Munoz Jr.
San Francisco Texan

[183] As a breast cancer survivor and long time Dusty Springfield fan, I am very sad that she is gone. Her voice epitomizes the '60s and brings back many fond memories for me. Her wonderful voice being silenced reminds me of a line from Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem, "Elegy": All your lovely words are spoken. Once the ivory box is broken beats the golden bird no more.

Pat Scott
Lewisburg, PA, USA

[184] There is a new star in the Heavens tonight. Take good care of her God, we have sent you the best.

Tom Sperduti
Buffalo, New York, USA

[185] I'm beside myself.

Claude Marais
Portland, Oregon, USA

[186] Dusty's death took place just before my 40th birthday and I was powerfully reminded of the feeling of being a 7-year-old boy in Sydney in 1966 listening to "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me". There was something about the quality of that big, soulful, husky voice that conveyed a vivid sense of the joy and the sadness of being a human being in the 20th century. It also helped some of us who were children at the time feel a connection with that enormous eruption of cultural energy in the '60s and early '70s - so beautifully conveyed by the image of schoolchildren viewed from above with their eyes closed thinking of music in the recent rock film Velvet Goldmine. To paraphrase Shakespeare, "She was a woman, take her for all in all. we shall not look upon her like again."

Michael Flynn
Woolloomooloo, Sydney, Australia

[187] Dear Dusty, many people come and go through the doorways of our lives, giving what they can, and taking what they need. Your most wonderful, amazing music gave us only a glimmer of the sun, but more than enough to warm our hearts. Dusty, we will love you forever,till we meet again.

I. Arnold
London, UK

[188] I miss Dusty. I was shocked to find out she passed away.

Alex Hutchins
Aledo, IL, USA

[189] So shocked. We lost the best voice in our time. Thank you, Dusty. Your music has been with me for 30 years. Goodbye.

Yasunori
Tokyo, Japan

[190] The news of Dusty's death is very much like listening to her best songs. I've never been able to listen to any of her albums without getting teary-eyed. I feel depressed at the loss, but elated by her being freed from a long battle with a horrible disease.

Marguerite
Stamford, CT, USA

[191] I grew up with Dusty's music as my mother is a great admirer and drummed it into me as a kid! We once met Dusty after a concert in London and feel proud to have shared a moment in this great Lady's life. I feel as though a part of my childhood has died, but Dusty will always live on forever in our hearts.

Paul (and his Mum, Norma)
London, England

[192] Great Singer along 30 years. We miss you so much!

Alfredo A. Martinez
Monterrey, Mexico

[193] I remember so well her songs during the Beatles era. I have always had a fond spot in my heart for "I Only Want To Be With You." It's so uplifting. My wife and I are practicing singing together. Thanks Dusty.

Gary Baldwin
Chicago, IL, USA

[194] March 2, 1999 will always be a bittersweet day for me. It is my husband's birthday and the day Dusty Springfield died. While on vacation in Germany in 1969 I looked into the window of a record shop and saw the album Dusty in Memphis. I went into the shop and bought the album. I traveled on tp Italy and then back to the States still not having heard one note of the album. I carried that album on the plane home the way you would a priceless treasure - with tender loving care. You see, it was a treasure to me. It was my first Dusty Springfield album. I have been a Dusty Springfield fan ever since. I still have that album 30 years later. I have it here next to me even as I write this. This evening, after she told me Dusty had died, I told my daughter it was a shame she never took the time to listen to Dusty; that she was missing something great; that there would never be another Dusty Springfield. She didn't really seem to care. That's her loss. The music world and in fact the world in general, has lost a legendary singer. We were fortunate to have been graced with her presence. Sadly, all good things must come to an end. I would like to say a fond farewell to MARY ISOBEL CATHERINE O'BRIEN. You will be missed but never forgotten.

Michelle
New York, USA

[195] I am just writing to express my sadness and regret. I was not around to experience this fine singer in her glory days (as I'm only 19 years of age), but am rather grateful her creative spirit proved timeless and rather resilient, as her later work is just as inspiring as her earlier stuff. I would also like to inform other fans that I will be hosting a radio orgy of her work in a tribute at the radio station at Harvard University in early-mid May.

Christian Quilici
London, UK

[196] Darlin' Dusty . . . thank you. Like the other hundreds of thousands, I too will miss your wonderful talent. You have been with me since I first knew how many beans made five and beyond. Loved your fun. goodbye, dearest Mary.

John
Melbourne, Australia

[197] I was very sad to hear about Mary. She brought a connection with her music to me and my mother - until we had something in common, we just never related. Now we have found many areas where we connect, but it couldn't have happened without Mary's music. we thank her!

Aundrea & Cynthia Mielke
Monroe, Michigan, USA

[198] This amazing woman made an impression on me when I was only 4 years old . . . in 1964. Throughout the years I have followed her progress with great enthusiasm and although I realised how ill she had become, I am devastated by her untimely death. The world will be a sadder, emptier place without Dusty and her amazing talent. May she rest in peace.

Jerry Levinson
London, UK

[199] Dusty had the finest female voice and we will miss her.

my and VJ
Herts, UK

[200] As the crowds gather in Henley to say farewell, I hope that despite the sadness and grief, there will be a massive, scented cheer as Dusty leaves for her last journey. Flowers should be flung and the bells ring out. This morning, for the first time since hearing of her death, I felt able to put on a CD at full blast. The sun shone and that voice soared, and I realised that while the world is a poorer place without that woman of integrity and hugely important talent (she might have doubted the essential part music plays in the great scheme of things, but I'm a firm believer it's one of the things which makes life itself more worthwhile), we are all richer for the legacy she has left us. This morning, my thoughts are with Vicki Wickham and Dusty's other close friends and family who have lost an old, valued and loved friend and sister. Those of us who never knew Dusty in person should salute them as we do her memory. Rest in Peace.

Piers Ford
England

A WOMAN OF REPUTE'S

COMMEMORATIVE SITE

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | BACK TO PAGE 9 | PAGE 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15