Fan Recollections
Fan recollections are a place for you to share and read other people's memories of the impact Dusty Springfield's music has had on you. Please share!
This first story comes from long time fan, Marty.
I fell in love with Dusty's voice from the first time I heard I Only Want to be with you and Stay Awhile. I was 12 years old and could not get enough of her music. I was also an avid fan of 1010 WINS New York (one of the local New York City radio stations) and DJ "Murray the K". I recall seeing an add in one of the New York City Newspapers that Dusty will be appearing at Stern's Department Store on 42nd Street for an autograph session and promoting her upcoming appearance at the Brooklyn Fox Theater sponsored by local DJ, Murray the K (Kaufman). Stern's Department Store is no longer at that site and Murray the K has since past on (may he rest in peace). The appearance at Stern's was very much like a press conference with the audience composed of fans, rapid firing questions at Dusty and she very graciously answered all of them. Walking up and down a long runway platform picking out people whom had their hands raised. I was not one of the fans picked. I bought my autograph book with me, not knowing you were required to buy a record to get an autograph. The people with Dusty thought that I did not have the money to purchase her records and suggested that I meet her at Woolworth's 5 & Dime next door, where she wants to purchase some inexpensive dishes! I told them that I did have the money and already have copies of Stay Awhile, I Only Want to Be With You, Wishin and Hopin and the Stay Awhile/I Only Want To Be With You LP at home. They said sorry but those are the rules. I bought another 45 of Wishin and Hopin and cherish her autograph to this day. It is signed, "Luv, Dusty S."
While she was signing her autograph I said Dusty, but did not seem to get her attention, so I gently tapped her arm. She looked up and smiled at me. I asked her when "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" would be released in this country?" She said, "It is not going to be released in the US. I think I said "Oh no, it not :-(! Dusty quickly added that it would be on one of her next LP!" I told her how much I loved the song. We must have chatted for about 5 minutes. She was very gracious. When I left Stern's, I did make an attempt to find her in Woolworth's, but with no success :-( Approximately one week later I saw Dusty perform two Brooklyn Fox Shows. These shows were fantastic and ran non-stop throughout the day. The shows casts consisted of Murray the K, The Searchers, Dusty Springfield, Motown, The Martha and the Vandellas (of course), the Supreme's, Jay and the Americans, Marvin Gaye, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Smokey Robinson, to name a few! Martha and Dusty sounded wonderful together. Dusty's next New York appearance was at Basin Street East. Much to my sadness I was too young to attend, due to the liquor laws in the US. The next time I saw Dusty was at the Persian Room, at the Plaza Hotel. I cannot find enough words to tell you how fantastic this show was. Beautiful place, beautiful nightclub, and wonderful show. My ex-husband became a fan of Dusty's after seeing that show. The last time I saw Dusty perform was at a small club in New York City. My ex-husband and I were not notified of a cancellation due to Dusty's illness and when we arrived at the club we were told that it is being postponed for. The club management offered us front row seats if we would come back the following week. We said sure. If they only knew! I would not have missed it for the world and wonder if I had offered those front row seats! Although the show was wonderful, Dusty was recovering from being ill and backup singers needed to give her an extra hand a few times. It did not compare to the Persian Room, but was very entertaining. Dusty did a bit with a loose thread on her dress asking the audience if she should pull it. Everyone started shouting NO, NO! I want to add that after buying the CD "White Heat", I had a strong feeling of deja vu after hearing "Losing You". I believe that she must have performed it at either the Persian Room or the Grande Finale and I never heard the song again until purchasing "White Heat. It is unfortunate that I never went back stage after any of the performances.
After all these years I still have a special love for Dusty. There has to be something special there. I have had several experiences after Dusty passing that makes me wonder if she perhaps is still with me, such as lights flickering while posting on Dustymail. Dusty was and remains to be a very special person with talent that is matched by no one else. I know that many fans believe that she is their Guardian Angel and I am one of them.
Dusty you are truly missed and may God be with you.
Marty
Many thanks Marty for sharing that touching story!
This Next Story comes from Carole Gibson. Carole is responsible for many of the great Dusty Photos on the site. I'd like to thank Carole for her graciousness. Thank You Carole!
I became a fan of Dusty way back in the days of the Springfields. I can't remember the exact moment; I just became aware of this voice and that look. I guess I heard her before I saw her but when the Springfields announced their breakup, I was devastated. I even loved those big sticky out dresses she used to wear! I saw her on stage for the first time at the end of 1963 but didn't get to meet her until the summer of '66. It was around the back of the ABC Theatre in Blackpool and my friend and I were the only two people waiting there. Dusty arrived in her Buick Riviera; she was in the passenger seat and her friend Peppi was driving with Madeline Bell in the back. Dusty wound her window down and she looked gorgeous, sun tanned and freckles is what I remember. She signed our albums and chatted but I don't have a clue about what and then she got out of the car and we took photos, in groups and then I took the one of Dusty kicking her leg out, which was her idea and not mine. She suggested we come back stage later and then dashed into the theatre when she was startled by a group of people who came running round the corner. After the show we joined the queue at the stage door and were delighted when Peppi came looking for us. We got to jump the queue and you can imagine how important that made us feel! I remember standing in the dressing room and just watching, I don't have any recollection of what was said, maybe I just stood and looked at my feet the whole time! I just know that it was a great day and I'd waited a long time for it. That was the first of quite a few meetings, some just at stage doors and others backstage. Always Dusty was friendly, funny, kind and welcoming, she never made us feel we shouldn't be there. I truly believe she valued her fans and appreciated how much meeting her meant to us.
Carole X
The final recollection here is from Larry Launstein Jr,. Larry is the creator of one of my favorite Dusty sites, For The Love Of Dusty Springfield/Dusty's 1964 Buick Rivera
I fell in love with Dusty Springfield almost immediately, a story I tell on my site "For The Love Of Dusty Springfield" I saw her on a brief video on CNN Headline News the day after her induction into the Rock ' N' Roll Hall of Fame, two weeks after she died. I got to discuss the 1999 Hall inductees, and said that one person grabbed my attention of that year's inductees, and that was Dusty. On one of the Chicago (the legendary Illinois rock band), I asked who was Dusty, and got some answers that made me look further. What sealed the deal for me was when former Chicago guitarist Dawayne Bailey (who was with them from 1986 to 1994), told me how great Dusty really was, and how much he loved her music. From that moment on, I was hopelessly hooked on Dusty. Dawayne even was kind enough to contribute an article to my Dusty site describing the influence she had on his music, which was quite significant. Apparently, she was a huge factor in his early development as a musician. Read the article at http://members.fortunecity.com/loveofdusty/bailey.html. Coming from a former member of my all-time favorite rock band (I have been a Chicago fan most of my life, since "Saturday In The Park" came out), it made it even more special for me. And, through Dusty, I have been exposed to artists like Petula Clark and Dionne Warwick. Dusty, along with Chicago, are my top creative influences, and even have an impact on my art.
Larry Launstein, Jr.
I just viewed your Dusty Springfield website- itŐs beautiful! Keep up the good work!
Just figured I would share my own Dusty story. Growing up, I had heard some a few of her most famous songs- WISHIN' AND HOPIN', I ONLY WANNA BE WITH YOU, etc. but had never been familiar with the woman who sang them. I had no idea that this was the same woman who, at the same time I was hearing these old songs, was on the top of the US charts w/ the Pet Shop Boys, duet on WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS.
As a teenager, I became a big enthusiast of oldies (I still liked new music, but I came to appreciate how beautiful and diverse a lot of older music was), and that's when I first really became familiar with Dusty. It all started with Son Of A Preacher Man- I had NO IDEA the woman singing this sensual, soulful song was white! I wanted to find out more, so I bought greatest hits...and that did it! The song that floored me was You Don't Have To Say You Love Me. It was an incredible, devastating song, and I was hooked. This was sometime in the 90's, and, not being aware of her illness, I had hoped to see her perform one day. When she passed in 1999 that hope was gone, and I was heartbroken. However, I found she had left a tremendous legacy in her music that I could enjoy.
My most important Dusty experience, I think, would be hearing Dusty In Memphis. I'm not a guy who easily cries, but when I first heard the opening track, Just A Little Lovin', I got teary-eyed. This song, along with a few others, has helped me through some difficult times She was a rare performer who could convey so much raw emotion in her music. We are all fortunate to have had her, and for years to come, I think people will continue to be introduced to these songs, and appreciate how truly special Dusty Springfield was and always will be.
Markus
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