Happy Birthday Dusty Springfield!

By John Q. Sanchez on April 16, 2007 | Share & Save | Link | Print |


Update: Youtube took down the video! Watch this space for new links. Here’s some others!

England’s Dusty Springfield, nee Mary O’Brien, was born upon this day in 1939–she’d be 68 today if she hadn’t tragically died of cancer in 1999. “Wishin’ and Hopin’” and “Son of a Preacher Man” are her two best-known hits in the U.S., and in the U.K. she was one of the top stars of the 60s, the voice of Swinging London, and an irresistable music and TV star to her entire nation.

With her soulful voice and songs of heartache, not to mention her eye-popping style choices, she was and is a major gay icon around the world. Jayne County and the Pet Shop Boys are among the thousands of musicians who cite her as a major influence.

Dusty was a semi-out lesbian who fought against racial discrimination before it was cool, and who had a torrid affair with Carol Pope of 80s new wave band Rough Trade (famous for a line in their song “High School Confidential” about a girl making Carol “cream [her] jeans”).

This clip of Dusty dueting with studly songwriter Burt Bacharach and tearing down the roof proves that Dusty is a major style inspiration, particularly to the Lady Bunny!

Also, it’s Selena’s birthday!

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About The Author: John Q. Sanchez

John Q Sanchez lives in Brooklyn, New York. He went to art school with Fausto Fernós in the mid-90s in Chicago where he wrote for local publications including Babble, edited by Jim Pickett. He's worked at several high-profile magazines in New York and was an editor for the web-zine Blair. He's fascinated by oddball divas, bombastic child stars, and the everyday person capturing their unique performances for an online audience.
View all entries by John Q. Sanchez

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