Dusty Springfield – did you know?

She was born Mary O’Brien in West Hampstead, London.  She was part of a folk group “The Springfields” with her brother and adopted that surname when she went solo.

By 1966 he was the best selling female pop vocalist in the world.  Her best album is “Dusty in Memphis”, 1969.  Her voice is incredibly distinctive.

Like many other artists, she battled alcohol and drug dependency.  She was probably borderline manic depressive.

She was adopted as an icon by the gay community.  She died in 1999 of cancer.  A real loss to music.