Definitively Dusty

In prog 1 - Island of Dreams, Dusty tells us about the musical influences of her childhood, listening to Carmen Miranda and MGM Musicals and how she played Belgravia supper clubs as a teenager. We hear from Lynne Essex, member of The Lana Sisters about Dusty's audition for the band and talks about Dusty's time in this all-girl vocal trio. We hear how Dusty left The Lana Sisters to form a folk trio with her brother Tom - The Springfields - who became very successful both in the UK and the USA. And it was on a trip to Nashville to record an album with The Springfields that Dusty, during a stop-over in New York, fell in love with black pop music. Dusty talks about the records she then heard in a Time Square record shop that went on to shape her whole career.

We hear from good friend and latter-day manager Vicki Wickham how she booked The Springfields onto a brand new pop tv programme Ready Steady Go! only to find out that the group were splitting up - and how Dusty became a compere and launched her debut solo hit 'I Only Want To Be With You'. Dusty's lifelong PA, Pat Rhodes tells us about the birth of Dusty's solo career and how she was in the recording studio. Singer Sandie Shaw remembers how Dusty stood in for her during a performance of Always Something To Remind Me - and admires her exceptional taste in songs. 1960's NME journalist and PR executive Keith Altham talks about Dusty's love of soul music and we learn how Dusty was instrumental in helping to launch Motown in the UK. She had met them on her first solo concerts in Brooklyn where she became friends with Martha Reeves and would be a Vandella singing back-up for Marvin Gaye.

Dusty tells us about enjoying the life of a successful artist and a mid sixties trip to Rio with her brother Tom, Madeline Bell and Martha Reeves and how the carnival music was unlike anything else she had ever heard.

Dougie Reece, the bassist from her backing band, The Echoes, tells us about the ill-fated concert trip to South Africa in 1964, when Dusty was deported back to the UK for refusing to play to segregated audiences.

Dusty talks about the San Remo festival and discovering a song Io No Vivo Senza Te - which she just knew would be a hit for her - and was to become her signature tune 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me'. Contributors: Dusty Springfield, Tris Penna, Keith Altham, Pat Rhodes, Vicki Wickham, Simon Napier Bell, Sandie Shaw, Martha Reeves & Dougie Reece.

Exploring the artistry of Dusty Springfield and with unheard archive she tells her story.

In programme two, Dusty tells us how Mary O'Brien 'becomes' Dusty Springfield and we hear about her goofy sense of humour and parties she threw in the 1960s. She was voted World's Best Female Vocalist for several years in succession and we learn how she began to exercise artistic control in the studio and chose the material that she sang. Dusty speaks about her love for Bacharach and David and how her recordings of Carole King songs landed her with her sought after contract to record in America with Atlantic Records. We hear from Atlantic Records executive Jerry Greenberg how the songs were chosen for the 'Dusty in Memphis' album and fascinatingly how Dusty herself was the instigator in getting Led Zeppelin signed to the label. We hear in detail about Dusty's 'A Brand New Me' album sessions from Philadelphia producer and songwriter Kenny Gamble

We discover how, in 1970, Dusty made the very brave decision to come out as bisexual in the British press - something which made her an unwitting LGBT pioneer - and how she came to the decision to live permanently in California, thinking that it would open up a new career for her. After a couple of years of inactivity in the USA, we hear how Dusty started to make music once again - songwriter Nona Hendryx talks about writing for Dusty and we hear all about Dusty's performances at Drury Lane and the Royal Albert Hall. Girlfriend Carole Pope talks about Dusty's daring artistic qualities and writing songs for her - Dusty's standing now so low, it was for an album that was unreleased in the UK at the time. Contributors include manager and best friend Vicki Wickham, life-long PA Pat Rhodes, backing vocalist and friend Simon Bell, Bass player & Musical director Dougie Reece, singer Sandie Shaw, girlfriends and songwriters Norma Tanega and Carole Pope, and from the music business world Jerry Greenberg, Gary Moore, Keith Altham, Keith Mansfield, and Kenny Gamble.

Exploring the artistry of one of the UK's greatest singers Dusty Springfield.

In programme two, Dusty tells us how Mary O'Brien 'becomes' Dusty Springfield and we hear about her goofy sense of humour and parties she threw in the 1960s. She was voted World's Best Female Vocalist for several years in succession and we learn how she began to exercise artistic control in the studio and choose the material that she sang. Dusty speaks about her love for Bacharach and David and how her recordings of Carole King songs landed her with her sought after contract to record in America with Atlantic Records. We hear from Atlantic Records executive Jerry Greenberg how the songs were chosen for the 'Dusty in Memphis' album and fascinatingly how Dusty herself was the instigator in getting Led Zeppelin signed to the label. We hear in detail about Dusty's 'A Brand New Me' album sessions from Philadelphia producer and songwriter Kenny Gamble

Exploring the artistry of Dusty Springfield

This musical exploration is backed up by new interviews and as this is 2019, for the first time we are able to discuss openly the 'In Private' Dusty - whose political attitude and pioneering gay stance quite literally helped change the world. Personal reflections from the people who were closest to her, friend & manager Vicki Wickham, friend Tris Penna, former girlfriends – Carol Pope & Norma Tanega, musical associates - Neil Tennant & Chris Lowe, Tom Shapiro, Gary Moore and close friends, Pat Rhodes, Dougie Reece, Simon Bell, Martha Reeves. We reveal the side of Dusty that has never been properly discussed in depth.

In the final programme we hear how life in California didn't go as well as Dusty had expected, and we hear how depression, addiction and self-harming plagued her for much of her life. In the late 80s, the UK saw a revival of 60s nostalgia in music, fashion and across the media, and 60s performers were regarded as respected states people. The Pet Shop Boys were the first to work with their 60s idol – Dusty Springfield; and Neil & Chris, and Dusty talk about how they came to work together. We hear how she was in the studio and the way she perfected her sound. Dusty tells us how she had wanted to record in Nashville and about the album A Very Fine Love. Producer Tom Shapiro tells us how Dusty loved the song selection and the musicians but was self-conscious of her voice and would turn the headphones up so loud she couldn't hear herself. He said that despite Dusty's doubts her performances were outstanding. PA Pat Rhodes went on that trip with Dusty and recalls how she had a lot of problems with her voice which led them to seeking medical advice. It was this doctor who suggested she get checked out on her return to England and test results revealed cancer. Dusty underwent radio therapy and the cancer went into remission and she was able to promote the A Very Fine Love album with a special appearance on Later with Jools Holland accompanied by Alison Moyet and Sinead O'Connor. Sadly this proved to be her last album as cancer recurred and Dusty died in March 1999 at the age of 59. Gone but certainly not forgotten, we hear how her music continues to spread, and many of her close friends and colleagues talk about her lasting legacy and their favourite songs.

Dusty wished that she could have retired and opened an upmarket cattery with Pat! However with that voice that wouldn't have been possible; her music lives on now and forever.

Exploring the artistry of one of the UK's greatest singers - Dusty Springfield.

This musical exploration is backed up by new interviews and as this is 2019, for the first time we are able to discuss openly the 'In Private' Dusty - whose political attitude and pioneering gay stance quite literally helped change the world. Personal reflections from the people who were closest to her, friend & manager Vicki Wickham, friend Tris Penna, former girlfriends - Carol Pope & Norma Tanega, musical associates - Neil Tennant & Chris Lowe, Tom Shapiro, Gary Moore and close friends, Pat Rhodes, Dougie Reece, Simon Bell, Martha Reeves. We reveal the side of Dusty that has never been properly discussed in depth.

In the final programme we hear how life in California didn't go as well as Dusty had expected, and we hear how depression, addiction and self-harming plagued her for much of her life. In the late 80s, the UK saw a revival of 60s nostalgia in music, fashion and across the media, and 60s performers were regarded as respected states people. The Pet Shop Boys were the first to work with their 60s idol - Dusty Springfield; and Neil & Chris, and Dusty talk about how they came to work together. We hear how she was in the studio and the way she perfected her sound. Dusty tells us how she had wanted to record in Nashville and about the album A Very Fine Love. Producer Tom Shapiro tells us how Dusty loved the song selection and the musicians but was self-conscious of her voice and would turn the headphones up so loud she couldn't hear herself. He said that despite Dusty's doubts her performances were outstanding. PA Pat Rhodes went on that trip with Dusty and recalls how she had a lot of problems with her voice which led them to seeking medical advice. It was this doctor who suggested she get checked out on her return to England and test results revealed cancer. Dusty underwent radio therapy and the cancer went into remission and she was able to promote the A Very Fine Love album with a special appearance on Later with Jools Holland accompanied by Alison Moyet and Sinead O'Connor. Sadly this proved to be her last album as cancer recurred and Dusty died in March 1999 at the age of 59. Gone but certainly not forgotten, we hear how her music continues to spread, and many of her close friends and colleagues talk about her lasting legacy and their favourite songs.

Exploring the artistry of Dusty Springfield