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The South Bank Show — Season 30
#Episode nameAir dateRuntimeRating
0160mArmando IannucciFeb 12, 2006Feb 12, 200660m0260mManga ManiaThe iconic Dusty Springfield remains the 'white lady of soul' and in this compelling South Bank Show, her moving and dramatic story is told in its entirety for the first time. An array of intimate friends, lovers and show business talents go on record to describe the intense highs and lows of Dusty's swinging life, before her untimely death in 1999.
Born Mary O'Brien in London as war began in 1939, in the 60's as Dusty Springfield, she came to represent renewed British optimism and modernity, epitomising swinging London. A plain convent educated girl, Dusty's transformation of herself into a blonde glamour icon was a remarkable act of will.
A lesbian with a great deal to lose and a great deal to hide, Dusty hid for many years behind the mask of the Girl Singer. The unique qualities of her voice attracted the creme de la creme of songwriters and producers; she had close relationships with Burt Bacharach, Carole King, and Gamble and Huff, the men who created the sound of Philadelphia Soul.
Dusty made herself an expert on black American soul music after she fell in love with Motown. Her career waned in the seventies and she fled to America, where she floundered in variety shows. She moved to Los Angeles where she struggled with drink, drugs and self harming. She later returned to Britain to critical acclaim when she re-invented herself in partnership with Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe better known as the Pet Shop Boys.
Dusty's life is nothing if not dramatic, although this can never obscure her remarkable gifts as a musician and performer, which have continued to be rediscovered by new generations.
A soul searching South Bank Show, on arguably Britain's greatest ever Pop Diva, Dusty Springfield.Feb 19, 2006Feb 19, 200660m0360mJohn RutterMar 12, 2006Mar 12, 200660m0460mPD JamesMar 26, 2006Mar 26, 200660m0560mDusty SpringfieldApr 9, 2006Apr 9, 200660m0660mSeu JorgeJun 4, 2006Jun 4, 200660m0760mRomeo and JulietJun 11, 2006Jun 11, 200660m0960mGeorge Michael: I'm Your ManMelvyn Bragg interviews George Michael regarding Michael's return to touring on the "25 Live" tour, as well as George Michael performs in the studio rehearsing songs for the tour.Nov 17, 2006Nov 17, 200660m1060mPeter BlakeNov 19, 2006Nov 19, 200660m1160mNick Park & Aardman AnimationsNov 26, 2006Nov 26, 200660m1260mSteve ReichDec 10, 2006Dec 10, 200660m
