Great write up of one of my favorite queer icons. The ‘70s were a dark period for Dusty but you highlighted some beautiful moments. She was the first pop star to come out of the closet (1970) and it tanked her career. Then, her addictions got completely out of control throughout the ‘70s and was destitute by the time the Pet Shop Boys reached out. Her story is tragic but her talent is boundless. I wrote about it here:
Really well-written recap of Dusty's "unknown" career, sandwiched between her otherwise well-known '60s hits and MTV/PSBoys resurgence! I had a couple of her late-'70s United Artists albums at the time, and enjoyed them. I was certainly aware of "what was trying to be done" with them for her, and was rooting for her!
And, Rita Jean Bodine....I hadn't heard that name in decades! I had both of her '74 20th Century albums when they came out! I was 19, and just going from college radio to pro radio, where, certainly for the latter, she'd not be getting FM-rock airplay. I must admit having never heard of Thelma Jones, and in '78, I'm sure I ran across her album in the record store I worked at; just must've never taken it home. For my tastes, though, with that Peter Allen/Carole Bayer Sager "I'd Rather Leave" ballad, I prefer the smoother approach of Dusty's and Rita's than the funkier take by Jones.
Back to Dusty....her labels were certainly doing all they could, trying different approaches and, even, genres, to obviously, mixed results, but always the break-through hit eluding her. But, they always had her working with all the best people in the studios, and with great songwriters! Fun to go back to that time, Mark, and I really enjoyed this!
Great summary of Springfield's career in the 70s and 80s. I had no idea so many of these songs existed! Like probably others, I knew her most from the Pet Shop Boys song. Sounds like she just couldn't find the right hit. I've always really liked Kim Carnes' "Don't Call It Love". It could have been big after "Bette Davis Eyes" but I think Carnes was going for something different than straight ahead pop. I agree though that the song should have been a hit by someone!
Thanks Dan! Yeah I can't believe someone didn't have a hit with it eventually. Mind you, if Kim Carnes, Dusty Springfield and Dolly Parton couldn't maybe it wasn't meant to be.
Great write up of one of my favorite queer icons. The ‘70s were a dark period for Dusty but you highlighted some beautiful moments. She was the first pop star to come out of the closet (1970) and it tanked her career. Then, her addictions got completely out of control throughout the ‘70s and was destitute by the time the Pet Shop Boys reached out. Her story is tragic but her talent is boundless. I wrote about it here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/songsthatsavedyourlife/p/no12-son-of-a-preacher-man-dusty?r=1n77dx&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thanks! I'll check that out!
Really well-written recap of Dusty's "unknown" career, sandwiched between her otherwise well-known '60s hits and MTV/PSBoys resurgence! I had a couple of her late-'70s United Artists albums at the time, and enjoyed them. I was certainly aware of "what was trying to be done" with them for her, and was rooting for her!
And, Rita Jean Bodine....I hadn't heard that name in decades! I had both of her '74 20th Century albums when they came out! I was 19, and just going from college radio to pro radio, where, certainly for the latter, she'd not be getting FM-rock airplay. I must admit having never heard of Thelma Jones, and in '78, I'm sure I ran across her album in the record store I worked at; just must've never taken it home. For my tastes, though, with that Peter Allen/Carole Bayer Sager "I'd Rather Leave" ballad, I prefer the smoother approach of Dusty's and Rita's than the funkier take by Jones.
Back to Dusty....her labels were certainly doing all they could, trying different approaches and, even, genres, to obviously, mixed results, but always the break-through hit eluding her. But, they always had her working with all the best people in the studios, and with great songwriters! Fun to go back to that time, Mark, and I really enjoyed this!
Thanks Brad!
Great summary of Springfield's career in the 70s and 80s. I had no idea so many of these songs existed! Like probably others, I knew her most from the Pet Shop Boys song. Sounds like she just couldn't find the right hit. I've always really liked Kim Carnes' "Don't Call It Love". It could have been big after "Bette Davis Eyes" but I think Carnes was going for something different than straight ahead pop. I agree though that the song should have been a hit by someone!
Thanks Dan! Yeah I can't believe someone didn't have a hit with it eventually. Mind you, if Kim Carnes, Dusty Springfield and Dolly Parton couldn't maybe it wasn't meant to be.
I guess there’s still time…!
I didn't know she'd made so much! I hadn't heard of any of the 80s stuff, even the soundtracks.
I probably wouldn't have ever heard any of it had it not been for Pandora's brief Canadian foray in the mid-2000's.