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Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
5971 Posts |
 Posted - 24/05/2007 : 09:05:43
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We have, from time to time, touched on the topic of Dusty and America.
On the 'Shake It Up' thread, FN (furtivenudist) made an interesting observation.
I hope you don't mind, FN but I have copied it here because I actually think it may prompt some more comment......I hope it does! 
'I befriended Quentin Crisp in New York (do you want my Quentin Crisp stories?) and he was enthralled with America, just thought it was the cats' meow, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Everyone in America is my friend, he used to say. But then he was outgoing and sociable.
I simply don't understand what America Dusty occupied. Not mine and not Quentin Crisp's, that's for sure.'
Janie  x53
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marg
Sweet Inspiration
2686 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2007 : 10:21:37
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Name-dropping is so passe.I was only telling the Queen this last week.
marg x |
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Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
5971 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2007 : 11:10:07
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quote:
Originally posted by marg
I was only telling the Queen this last week.
marg x
Do we know Him, Marg?   
Janie x53 |
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Lindakron
Sweet Inspiration
Canada
2672 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2007 : 11:47:24
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I don't have the impression that Canadians felt as star-struck in the 1960's and '70's. Although it's likely true that if you wanted to become a star, you'd have to go to New York or Los Angeles to achieve international fame. And still true today. But as for being envious of the "American Dream", I don't think Canadians thought America had it right. We've historically been far more socialist... the poor don't have it nearly as bad, and the rich aren't nearly as rich. I know many Canadians who have moved to the States and every one of them has given two thumbs down. Having said that, I don't know what things were like in the '70's, I only know what I read. And it sounds to me like it was a politically and racially intense time. Canada kind of just sits back and watches, and says, WTF???
Linda |
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Carole R.
Higher and Higher
United Kingdom
13237 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2007 : 13:16:50
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Canada kind of just sits back and watches, and says, WTF???
That sounds EXACTLY like The British, right now, Linda!...
Apathy rules here, at the moment..
Its because we have a supposed Democratic Government which ignores public opinion, ALL the time.
Carole R xx
Any road up, back to Quentin Crisp....and Dusty In America.
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treking
Wasn't Born To Follow
United Kingdom
5586 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2007 : 20:06:34
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For starters I think Dusty had bad management when she went to America.
She had split from Vic Billings who was very good and knew how to handle her.
LA was not the best of places to go to.
She was abit burnt out and disillusioned too, so she was probably in the frame of mind to rest and work--with the emphasis on rest.
She also was not full of confidence.
Given all this, as she said, it worked well for awhile but really they just didn't know what to do with her.
With the right management and allocation to New York---who knows.
Just my opinion.
Trek
We are here for Dusty. |
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furtivenudist
Wishing And Hoping
182 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2007 : 20:54:21
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quote:
Name-dropping is so passe.I was only telling the Queen this last week.
marg x
What am I supposed to post about, conversations with my senile 86 year old neighbor or the interesting people I've met?
If it's construed as name dropping, well, sorry for sharing my adventures in America. If you're a photographer turned stand up comic in New York City and Vegas, you have stories to tell. Lots of them.
Can't stand put-downs and bad vibes. |
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Pablito
Wishing And Hoping
Ireland
465 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2007 : 20:59:02
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Very interesting topic!!
I think that going to America was something HAD to do at that point in her career. Where else could she go in the U.K?? The Cilla Black transformation from being a singer with a T.V.-series to a T.V. presenter who sang was not for Dusty.
I also think that Dusty didn't want to ghetto-ise herself in America and become dependant on her gay audience - this is pure speculation on my part, I've no idea who Dusty or Quentin Crisp associated with while they were in America.
I think Dusty valued credibility as an artist most, and her management and record companies didn't really understand her, and Dusty lost confidence in herself and became dissillusioned. I also suspect that Dusty wanted to expand her career into acting - where better to go than L.A?? In some interviews around 1970 she talked a lot about acting and her desire to be a film-actress.
At the end of the day I think she would have regretted it if she had never tried to expand her careeer in the U.S. I think that in show-business you have to be in the right place at the right time to achive huge success - Dusty had that in the early 60's when her career began, and lightning rarely strikes in the same place twice.
Very few stars achieve sustained success - for every Rolling stones, Madonna and Michael Jackson ( ) - there are hundreds of acts who only achieve a brief flirtation with success.
Just a few thoughts
Paul. |
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Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
5971 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2007 : 21:05:56
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quote:
Originally posted by furtivenudist
quote:
Name-dropping is so passe.I was only telling the Queen this last week.
marg x
What am I supposed to post about, conversations with my senile 86 year old neighbor or the interesting people I've met?
If it's construed as name dropping, well, sorry for sharing my adventures in America. If you're a photographer turned stand up comic in New York City and Vegas, you have stories to tell. Lots of them.
Can't stand put-downs and bad vibes.
Too right FN........don't mind our Marg...she is a sweetie..its something to do with that Aussie humour I do declare ......can't say I fully understand it but no matter....I mean..... Marg even suggested Barbra S. has a big NOSE..I ask you? (She KNOWS my achilles heel does our Marg )
Janie x53 |
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Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
5971 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2007 : 21:16:10
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The only thing I have to say about Dusty and America (and I have articulated it so many times, I'm even bored with myself on this one  ) is.........what exactly did SHE want to do there? I have no notion whatsoever what she expected 'them' (whoever 'them' were) to do for/with her. Many of our stars have worked wonders in LA (even some of our non-stars..Sheena???????!!!!)....if only Dust had put her ass in her hands and got on with the LA route to tide her over. The mind boggles Ms Dusty Springfield what you could have achieved. Mind you, I'm very good at re-writing history........
Post Script......IMHO Dusty was a certain type of precious soul. No matter WHAT happened re professional success or otherwise, I doubt if we would have seen a different outcome.
Janie x53 |
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Sara
Higher and Higher
United Kingdom
9062 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2007 : 23:40:37
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Dude, chill out, Marg was joking
Sara x |
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Carole R.
Higher and Higher
United Kingdom
13237 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2007 : 23:46:12
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I'm certain that you misunderstood what was meant as an amusing post FN...
I DO hope that I'm still gonna get some Quentin Crisp Stories.....
I love showbiz gossip.
Carole R xx |
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Lindakron
Sweet Inspiration
Canada
2672 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2007 : 00:53:14
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Along the lines of Trek and Janie, I think Dusty was burned out. If she would have been as enthusiastic as the early years, there's no doubt in my mind that she'd have been one of the most successful artists of the 1970's. But she ran out of steam (as is common with most solo recording artists), and her exhaustion coincided with a move to America, so it would appear that it was the move to LA that was the problem. I don't think it was. Dusty was tired.
Dusty once stated that her time in America was both very bad to her and very good to her. Does anyone know why she thought it was good for her? I don't recall if Dusty expanded on that comment. Perhaps because of the people she met? Personal growth? I really don't know.
Linda |
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furtivenudist
Wishing And Hoping
182 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2007 : 03:35:38
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Both Bette Midler and Barbra have a huge gay following and it only enhanced their careers. When Barbra was at Madison Square Gardens for 10 days it was affectionately called the Gay World Series. I would hardly call it being ghetto-ised.
When Debbie Reynold's film career ended and she found herself up to her ears in debt on account of her gambling husband, she put together a show and hit the road for the next 30 years. Vegas, Reno, Atlantic City, Branson in Missouri - you name it, she played it and a bloody good show it was too. She does a wicked impersonation of Barbra, by the way.
That's how you have a career and make money in America - you tour. Everyone in showbiz schleps in America, from the very famous to the obscure. Dusty didn't want to do it and Americans didn't understand that.
Vegas is the showbiz capital of the world and it was tailor made for Dusty. Why she sniffed at it I'll never know. It was good enough for Elvis, but not for Dusty?
Barry Manilow is at the Hilton, Elton John and Celine Dion at Caesars, Liza Minelli at the Luxor. Bette Midler is coming in at the end of the year to replace Celine in a long running gig. Vegas was and is a happening place. |
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Lindakron
Sweet Inspiration
Canada
2672 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2007 : 04:38:49
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Love 'em all... Barry, Elton, Celine, Liza, Bette....
To see them all would break my bank. Barry is my first pick. I've only seen his show thru the Music and Passion DVD that was released (and awarded).... The show is incredible on my TV, I've no doubt the live show is dynamite. All of these artists have such incredible talent. ICONS!
Just as an aside, can anyone tell me why Babs has always been a gay icon? Always loved her... thought she was great... I'm a dork because I've loved Babs since I was born... but never associated her with my gay thing. I was born in the wrong era. I'm just naive here... someone indoctrinate me, please! I mean, I like cheese, too, but cheese isn't a gay icon...
Linda |
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marg
Sweet Inspiration
2686 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2007 : 05:31:53
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quote:
Originally posted by furtivenudist
Can't stand put-downs and bad vibes.
Oh "sneakybarebutt" don't go gettin' ya tackle in a knot.
You misinterpret my humour.
I enjoy your posts.
marg x
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furtivenudist
Wishing And Hoping
182 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2007 : 08:37:21
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And Prince has been doing a show in a small lounge room at the Rio for a while now.
Divas become gay icons and Barbra is uber diva, the diva to end all divas. Gays love show tunes - Barbra began her career on Broadway. And, of course, drag queens love to do her.
You do fantastically well in showbiz in America if you have a gay following. |
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Lindakron
Sweet Inspiration
Canada
2672 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2007 : 14:13:43
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Thanks for the explanation.
I keep getting off topic. 
Sorry, back to America...
Linda |
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