A Girl Called Dusty: An Intimate portrait of Dusty Springfield [Hardcover]

Sharon Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2008

Dusty Springfield is a pop music legend. Goddess of the sixties, reluctant recluse of the seventies, enigmatic icon of the eighties and nineties, she attracted a passionate following that has remained loyal to this day. She crossed the line into soul music, her first love, but never turned her back on pop music. A perfectionist in her work, she was a shy, awkward girl off stage. Misunderstood and misquoted, that was Miss Springfield. She had a lifestyle to envy, was the original 'IT' girl and achieved, many believed, the height of decadence. But who really knew her? Who was the real lady behind the black mascara and backcombed hair? This is the story that she never had the chance to tell herself because, nearly two years after her first battle with breast cancer, the disease returned to take her life in 1999.When the end finally came, the music business descended into mourning, tributes flooded in from all over the world, "The Daily Telegraph" front page announced 'Dusty Springfield dies on day she was to get OBE' and her Majesty The Queen was reported to be 'deeply saddened'. Dusty Springfield was the very heart and soul of British music. Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant, who was responsible for her return to chart success in 1987, believed that 'she was the very essence of fabness'.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

SHARON DAVIS was first introduced to Dusty by Martha Reeves, and stayed in touch with her until she died. Their last conversation was about the possibility of a biography, to which Dusty gave her blessing. "Be kind," were her last words on the subject. Formerly the Motown representative in London, Davis wrote for leading music magazines, and her published books include the official history of Motown, and biographies of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. She also helped Diana Ross research her autobiography.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Andre Deutsch (October 6, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0233002375
• ISBN-13: 978-0233002378
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,054,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive Biography Of Dusty Springfield, October 8, 2008

By 

Ian Phillips (Bolton, Lancashire, UK) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Girl Called Dusty: An Intimate portrait of Dusty Springfield (Hardcover)

Sharon Davis, renowned black music and Motown expert, brings us an intimate portrait of Britains finest and most well-loved singer of all time:DUSTY SPRINGFIELD. This follows in the footsteps of Sharon Davis other critically acclaimed best-selling books on the likes of Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.

A Girl Called Dusty is alternately funny (some amusing anecdotes from people who knew Dusty personally saying how she used to love having food fights and would throw crockery around in a tantrum) and very touching (her struggle to keep her sexuality a secret being one, and, of course, her courageous battle with Breast Cancer). The impression you get of the legendary Dusty Springfield here is the most honest and beleavable account you will ever read. Before Dusty's untimely death in 1999, Dusty, who was a personal friend of the author, had told Sharon Davis that if ever a biography was to be written on her life she'd like Sharon Davis to be the lady to write it - "Be kind" quipped Dusty to Sharon.

Another astonishing insight into the private life of Dusty Springfield was that she was infact a highly self-critical and deeply insecure lady, unsure of her abilities, even at the height of her success.

This book is a fascinating insight and a celebration of the life of Dusty Springfield. Extremley well written, as always, by Sharon Davis, who writes in an engaging and very entertaining way, creating and setting the scene impeccably as we are transported back to Dustys childhood, through to her triumphant success as a solo singer in the 1960's through to her reclusive period during the 1970's, to her return back to the music scene via The Pet Shop Boys in the 1980's and early 1990's, through to her turbulent time when she was diagnosed with cancer.

There are also indepth reviews on Dustys albums and singles - and what a lot of classics she made! Son Of A Preacher Man, You Dont Have To Say You Love Me, I Just Dont Know What To Do With Myself, I Count To Ten to name but some. Sharon, again, sets the scene very well in depicting stories of the recording sessions of these great classics.

Dusty was undoubtedly the first white lady of Soul (was amazed at how Dusty commented to Sharon Davis in an interview that she didnt consider herself a Soul singer which is really an insecure Dusty underestimating herself) and her memory will be treasured forever. Keeping Dustys legacy burning bright is Sharon Davis who undoubtedly has written the definitive biography of Dusty Springfield.

Ian Phillips

October 2008

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Definitive??, September 23, 2009

By 

S. Martin (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Girl Called Dusty: An Intimate portrait of Dusty Springfield (Hardcover)

Definitive? Hardly...I bought this book by the previous reviewers glowing review, I was misled. The book does have one strong point, it tracks most of her songs, albums and performances, but is VERY light on any personal biography. If you are looking for a more personal history of Dustys interesting life, look elsewhere, because this book will not satisfy your interest. I am hoping there is someone out there that will, in fact, write the DEFINITIVE biography of our beloved Dusty. In the meantime I will enjoy the amazing music she has left us and hope for a well written, truthful and honest biography that she deserves.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, But Not Definitive, February 20, 2012

By 

J. Gemmill "Fan of music, movies and more." (Oreland, PA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Girl Called Dusty: An Intimate portrait of Dusty Springfield (Hardcover)

Although I've had the "Dusty in Memphis" album in my music collection for decades, I never explored the rest of Dusty's canon until late last year (2011). My mistake. A mere few months later and I realize all that I've missed, and am patiently working my way through her ouevre. I bought this bio for the Kindle and found it both informative and lacking - it takes you through her many recording sessions and performances, sussing out details and, often, offering Dusty's own take on them. (She was her own worst critic.) For that fact alone I appreciate this book. But much of her off-stage life is absent or briefly mentioned, and that is a strike against it. While I have no interest in a Kitty Kelley tell-all, the book could have fleshed out more of her private life, giving us a better sense of Mary O'Brien the woman (as opposed to Dusty Springfield the singer). Yet, even with that criticism, I have no qualms recommending "A Girl Called Dusty" to others. I'm glad I read it.