Dancing with Demons

(Paperback)

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Description

This is the full story of the legendary pop icon Dusty Springfield. It tells her life story from a period of wilderness during the 1970s and 1980s to chart-topping success in the 1990s and her death from cancer. It also reveals a background that was schizophrenically at odds. Born an Irish catholic, Springfield moved into the rock world, and into a realization of her sexuality. 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 1980s.

Reviews

'a desperately sad story' Sunday Telegraph 'Not just for fans but anyone interested in the late 20th century and its popular arts.' The Birmingham Post 'compulsive reading' The Big Issue 'a lovingly-composed monument to a remarkable one-woman life-force' The Herald (Glasgow) 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 'riveting ... remarkable candour and honesty' -- The Observer 'compulsive reading' -- The Big Issue 'a real treat' -- Q Magazine

Author Bio

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.