Dancing with Demons -The Authorised Biography of Dusty Springfield by Penny Valentine and Vicki Wickham is a fascinating and profoundly human exploration of one of the most enigmatic and influential female vocalists of the 20th century. Dusty Springfield, widely recognised for her rich, emotive voice and groundbreaking contributions to pop and soul music, lived a life of stark contrasts—glamour and turmoil, success and self-doubt, adoration and alienation.
I first discovered Dusty Springfield as a teenager via the 90s film Pulp Fiction (yes, I am that old). As a fan of Burt Bacharach and '60s girl groups, it was inevitable that the whole sound of Dusty would appeal to me. I even have a signed copy of one of her albums! 'Dusty Is Memphis' is my favourite (I'll get back to that later).
Published in 2000, this is the first music biography I've read that gets right to the heart of the artist - the art and the person. It seeks to unravel the myths surrounding Springfield’s life and career, offering an honest and compassionate portrait, and I must admit I learnt a lot that I didn't know - this book would make a superb film, by the way. One of the many strengths of this authorised biography is its nuanced approach to Springfield’s struggles with identity and self-worth. As a woman navigating the male-dominated music industry of the 1960s and 70s, she faced immense pressure to conform. Her sexuality—Springfield was one of the few public figures of her time to acknowledge relationships with women—added another layer of complexity to her already tumultuous personal life. The authors explore this aspect of her identity with sensitivity, neither sensationalising nor diminishing its significance. You can tell it was published 25 years ago because this would have been a different story today.
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While the book delves into Springfield’s struggles, it never loses sight of her extraordinary contributions to music. Her 1969 masterpiece 'Dusty in Memphis' remains one of the most critically acclaimed albums ever, showcasing her deep affinity for soul music. The biography captures the making of 'Dusty in Memphis', including the doubts that plagued Springfield during the recording, and her ongoing battle with self-criticism despite near-universal praise. I really enjoyed the interviews with those who knew Dusty best: friends, lovers, collaborators, and industry professionals - the book pieces together a career that, while commercially inconsistent, left an indelible mark on music history.
This biography is affectionate and unflinching, which emanates warmth and admiration in its tone, but does not sanitise Springfield’s darker moments. Subjects such as alcohol abuse, self-harm, and erratic behaviour are tackled with honesty and empathy, making it clear that these demons were not the sum of who she was but a part of her story. The book also gives insight into her lengthy career and late renaissance, concluding in her untimely and early death. Its prose is engaging, making it accessible to die-hard Dusty fans and those unfamiliar with her legacy. This book is meticulously researched, is a first-hand account, and one I could read again.
I gave it 3/5 on Goodreads, but it's a four.
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