<Commemorative Page 6>

REMEMBERING DUSTY . . .

[101] What the hell am I doing? I have inordinately spent the last four hours reading these heartfelt and touching tributes from the common fan worldwide, plus those that had met Dusty in passing and even worked with her. I have perused the exhaustive bio at this site, all while playing Mercury's The Very Best of Dusty Springfield and I suddenly realized I haven't felt such emotion over the death of a rock icon since John Lennon. Not even Jerry Garcia or Bill Graham, from my own home base, yet! Why? Well, I realize how much I was affected by Dusty Springfield: Her plaintive and sultry vocals wrapped around my teenage fantasies in the '60s, plaintively and hauntingly distinctive, echoing my own inner feelings and teen tribulations. "Wishin' and Hopin'" and "The Look of Love" were my pleas to a younger fool's infatuation; "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" and "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" were the end result. So Dusty's songs were the bookends to a very hormoned and confused time for me - yesterday, when I was young. Like many of you, Dusty sang to my inner soul, much more than the psychedelia that was prevalent across the Bay at the time (excepting "Today" and "Coming Back to Me" from Surrealistic Pillow), certainly with much more feeling than most of everything that has subsequently passed for pop music. A very good friend of mine lost his special angel, much too early, to breast cancer almost a year ago. One of her favorites was Linda McCartney. And I know Dusty was a soul mate too. The other tragedy is it's a week and a half too late for Dusty, when the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame finally beckoned. And sadly, I didn't really realize or recognize, until now, how much Dusty's music really meant to me. When it's too late . . .

Dean Tsurumoto "Yer Moto"
San Francisco Bay Area, USA

[102] We always knew her music would live forever, and just assumed that she would too. With love . . .

Sandy, Anne and Pip
New Zealand and Australia

[103] Just to say how sad this makes me. We were childhood friends until you moved to London, but I have followed you all the way.

Pat Ray
England

[104] As a professional drummer during the mid-late sixties, I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Springfield and seeing her perform live. I was at the height of my career, having a fantastic time, but the thrill of meeting her "in person" paled any achievements I had reached. Only one Dusty. Never will be another. A singer's singer. She will be missed by many, especially those who met her and saw her perform live.

Earl Blakesley, Jr.
USA

[105] I was quite surprised to hear of Dusty's demise. I was, as a Black person, impressed with her style of presenting a song. Many of them I loved. And many of them I still remember the words to (as you see, I too am in my 50s). Her music will never be forgotten - nor will she. My heart and prayers go out to her family and friends. The world has lost another dynamic soul. And the One above has gained an angel who will continue to use her melodic sound for those in her new home.

Barbara

[106] I was sad to hear of the loss of a great voice and a great personality. Her voice and legend cannot be replaced. Dusty R.I.P.

Trevor
Essex, UK

[107] A very sad day. Love to a brilliant woman.

Troy Apollo
Liverpool, UK

[108] Today I sat in my office at the community college where I teach and I played A Very Fine Love over and over. With tears in my eyes and a sad heart, I thought of Dusty and how much she has meant to me. From the very moment I heard her first single in the 1960s when I was a teenager, I have been a Dusty Springfield fan. I cherish Dusty's music, and I will miss her. I had so looked forward to future recordings. We, her fans, will all miss her very much.

Michael Williams
USA

[109] I am 32 years old and have been a fan of Dusty Springfield since I was a little girl. I love to sing and she was one of my top four. I am very saddened by the death of a wonderful singer.

Liz Tarducci
New York, USA

[110] Goodbye Dusty, and thank you for your contribution to music. I'm grateful you were with us for a while. See you on the other side.

Robert Bradshaw
Boise, Idaho, USA, UK

[111] Anyone who has heard Dusty's wonderful voice will always remember her with a fondness that is usually reserved for family members. She was and will always be remembered as a grand performer.

J. L. Williams
Idaho, USA (originally from Michigan, USA)

[112] I read the longest and most detailed article on Dusty in the Phoenix paper today and what really struck me as so sad and touching about Dusty was her true vulnerability. She said when she realized her cancer was terminal she had about three tears in the hallway after seeing the doctor but that when she got home and saw her cat, she thought about who would take care of it when she died, and started to cry uncontrollably, truly realizing that she was destined to pass away too early in life. The sad irony is that she couldn't live to be at the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Elton John also commented that Dusty was as good a singer as Aretha Franklin! Please, she was so much better. It is an insult to even offer that comparison. I never thought of Dusty as a soul singer. She had her own lovely style - a beautiful hummingbird or canary that could sing and brighten up wherever the sound could be heard. I first heard her sing "Wishin' and Hopin'" in 1964 and loved it. I forgot all about it till the mid '70s when I heard it again on an oldies station and it just hit me how great it was. It's a shame Dusty fell out of the public eye in the '70s and early '80s. She deserved better and was probably her harshest critic. How ironic that all her American albums are due out on CD later this month, and that a boxed set is due for release at the end of the year . . . She was the best.

Michael
Arizona, USA

[113] I was introduced to Dusty's music by a friend and I will always love and enjoy her music. She is a great Lady and a wonderful singer. Her life was cut short but she will live on through her music.

Deirdra Barber
USA

[114] It was with great sadness that I heard yesterday that Dusty Springfield had passed on. Though I never saw her in concert, she was long one of my favorite pop stars. Thirty-four winters ago, I spent the weekend at a friend's cottage near Montreal, Canada. I remember during that weekend, my host's daughter played a Springfield album all the time, which I enjoyed as much as she did. It would not be until three years ago that I bought my own Dusty Springfield album. It was the compilation album Goin' Back, which I bought while visiting London, England. It has become one of my favorite albums. Indeed, I played part of it last night, thinking about Dusty as I was listening to it. Just before downloading this website, I was reading what was said about Dusty in the Daily Telegraph's website. It was reported that for all her talents, Dusty seemed insecure, and that her public appearance was merely a "show." But as the Telegraph noted, "what a show." Dusty was one of pop's great female voices. Even today, few pop divas compare to her. I miss you, Dusty. Thank you for many great musical memories.

Robert J. Craig
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

[115] I met Dusty on a cold winter evening circa 1968 while she sang to me, an invisible audience, on the BBC. While other stars took the limelight and sang to the legends of rock 'n' roll, Dusty delivered a message of hope for all those who truly believed life existed beyond the music of Bill Haley's peers. She was truly an English star who took the world of music under her arm and marched forth to show that she was indeed a genuine star. She proved pure talent was not yet a thing of history. And now she has gone. And yet in the wake of her wonderful career she has left an indelable persona that few will ever emulate and fewer still will ever conquer. She is gone . . . but her voice will live on.

Peter Bowden
Canada

[116] I was a teenager in the '60s and Dusty was part of the background music against which my life revolved. Her unique voice was instantly recognisable, and haunted the deepest corners of my heart for a long time. As one of the survivors of the '60s it seemed she would just go on forever. I was saddened to hear that she had gone. I would like to offer my condolances to her family and friends.

Kathy
Cheshire, England

[117] And a mile from the shore flys a bird who'll land no more . . . As the tide pulls the sea, you always will pull me . . . Dearest Dusty, my heart aches for the pain you have had to endure. If there is any kind of life after this, I hope you will be able to look back at the hell here on earth you had to travel through and realize how much exquisite pleasure you have given to so many millions of people. You were the very best. God bless, you perfect songbird . . . Rest in peace.

D. White
New York, USA

[118] I can't believe that wonderful voice has been silenced. Dusty will be missed by all music lovers. I am thankful that we got to enjoy her gift for as long as we did. No one could sing a pop song like Dusty. You will be missed and never forgotten.

Traci Hawkins
Phoenix, Arizona, USA

[119] I was six when Dusty had her first solo hit and have been a fan ever since. Her music was full of vitality and passion. I have all her recordings and have grown up with her always in my life. I am grateful for having been around to hear you as well as privileged to have seen you work live. Thanks for the wonderful musical legacy that you have left us. I love you now and always. Rest in peace sister.

Sherrie Compton
Manchester, UK (currently in Australia)

[120] You will always be remembered by me. Be at peace . . .

Robert Heise
New York, USA

A WOMAN OF REPUTE'S

COMMEMORATIVE SITE

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