Eulogies

  • I met DUSTY SPRINGFIELD in 1963 on the BBC TV show Top of the Pops, when I was promoting It's My Party. Her talent was obvious the moment she opened her mouth--a sound so unique that she could take someone else's song and make it her own. She sang live with the band and sounded totally awesome. I lip-synched and felt somewhat foolish.

    Our paths crossed again in Los Angeles in the '70s. We both enjoyed watching women's tennis and developed quite a friendship. She was very bright, with a great sense of humor. When she recorded a song I wrote, Love Me by Name, Dusty knew exactly what she wanted. She handpicked the musicians and worked with the arranger for weeks. When she went into the vocal booth, put on the headset and closed her eyes, she reached down into the depths of her soul and made magic. As Dusty is wailing and the record is fading she ad-libs two little words: "sweet baby." She reserved this phrase for songs she most loved. It was the Springfield seal of approval.

    It's sad that she should pass just before she was to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But she'll be there, I'm sure, so the rhythm section had better be tight.