Dancing with Demons

Dusty Springfield made her name in the 60s with a string of top ten hits. Her unique singing style and distinctive bouffant blonde look made her famous throughout the world. Despite a period in the wilderness during the 70s and 80s, she was back at the top in the 90s until her death from cancer in March l999.

Born an Irish Catholic in l939, her background set her almost schizophrenically at odds with herself as she realised her sexuality and moved further into the rock world. Both Penny Valentine and Vicki Wickham knew Dusty well, as friend and manager for much of her career. As well as charting her gay relationships, this book also looks candidly at the period of her greatest self-destruction while living in Los Angeles in the 80s. Covering every area of her career with honesty and affection, Dusty is brought vividly to life.

“riveting ... remarkable candour and honesty”

'a desperately sad story' Sunday Telegraph

Penny and Vicki are very good at unpicking the troubled relationship between Springfield's public persona and her gay sexuality.' - Independent on Sunday

a poignant portrait of a much-loved star - Daily Mail

'Not just for fans but anyone interested in the late 20th century and its popular arts.' The Birmingham Post

'compulsive reading' The Big Issue

- The Observer

'a lovingly-composed monument to a remarkable one-woman life-force' The Herald (Glasgow)

compulsive reading - The Big Issue

Penny Valentine was the most well-known music writer in the 60s. She appeared regularly on Juke Box Jury and Late Night Line-Up. Friends with most of the big rock stars, she knew Dusty well. She now works at the Guardian.

Vicki Wickham was Dusty's long-time friend and manager. Assistant producer on Ready Steady Go! she then managed various acts including Marc Almond and Patti LaBelle. In 1999 she won the music industry's Woman of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dusty Springfield made her name in the 60s with a string of top ten hits. Her unique singing style and distinctive bouffant blonde look made her famous throughout the world. Despite a period in the wilderness during the 70s and 80s, she was back at the top in the 90s until her death from cancer in March l999.Born an Irish Catholic in l939, her background set her almost schizophrenically at odds with herself as she realised her sexuality and moved further into the rock world. Both Penny Valentine and Vicki Wickham knew Dusty well, as friend and manager for much of her career. As well as charting her gay relationships, this book also looks candidly at the period of her greatest self-destruction while living in Los Angeles in the 80s. Covering every area of her career with honesty and affection, Dusty is brought vividly to life.

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