Dusty Springfield - Wonderful Woman No. 53

Dusty Springfield - 1939-1999
British Singer and Songwriter

Added to the album by a wonderful man called Gavin

For over a year now, I have presented a specialist soul music show on local radio. I play and listen to a lot of female soul artists, not just on the radio but constantly in my every day life. I would not want to imagine the world without music. I would not want to imagine my life without the music I love. And I absolutely cannot imagine a world without ever hearing the voice of Dusty Springfield.

To be carried on that journey for the length of a song, to experience the emotion through the sound of another person's voice and to get completely lost in what you hear, is an integral part of being a human being as far as I am concerned. Dusty's voice is so full of heart and soul, that those cathartic experiences through music come in leaps and bounds. I defy anyone not to be moved by her words.

And that is what makes her really wonderful... everything that you read from here on in is just back-up evidence.

In 1958, Dusty (nicknamed because she was a tomboy, always playing football in dusty streets) joined an established UK music group, The Lana Sisters. After a few years learning her craft playing at live shows and on television and a stint in a band with her brother, Dusty took the decision to follow a solo career. Her first solo single, I Only Wanna Be With You was released in 1963 and was an international hit. Since then, Dusty has released a plethora of hit singles, including the classics; I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself, You Don't Have To Say You Love Me and Son Of A Preacher Man. In the 1980s, Dusty recorded a number of tracks with The Pet Shop Boys and has also released duets alongside the likes of Cilla Black, Daryl Hall and Spencer Davis. She released more than twenty albums between 1964 and 1995, with the addition of a multitude of compilation releases, Dusty continues to be a huge selling artist the world over.

I think she is the greatest white singer that there ever has been.
Elton John

Dusty's talent is widely recognised and she has been an inspiration to a generation of soul singers. She is featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is listed by many music magazines as one of the greatest female recording artists of all time.

There is a hole in music where Dusty Springfield used to be.
Carole King, Another Wonderful Woman

Dusty, known to have had relationships with both men and women, spoke candidly about her sexuality at a time when gay and lesbian relationships were still very much in the closet, with prejudice and stigma attached. In doing so, she became a gay icon, idolised not just for her voice but for being a joyful representation of gay, lesbian and bisexual people. Her iconic image is also often mimicked by drag queens, imitation - the highest form of flattery.

A lot of people say I'm bent, and I've heard it so many times that I've almost learned to accept it....I know I'm perfectly as capable of being swayed by a girl as by a boy. More and more people feel that way and I don't see why I shouldn't.
Dusty Springfield

A woman who made the world a more wonderful place through music.