Latest news with #WhyD'YaDoIt?
The Guardian
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘There was a little bit of the devil in her': Damon Albarn and Rufus Wainwright remember Marianne Faithfull
I met Marianne somewhere in the early 2000s in a studio on the Goldhawk Road. Alex [James, Blur bassist] was hanging out with her at the time and he'd invited me down to the studio. I think we were all in a high party mode at the time. I sat down and had quite a good banter with her straight away. We were quite lairy with each other. I said: 'I can sit down and write a song, a perfect song.' And she said: 'All right, well go on then.' And I sat down and I wrote the song which became Green Fields in one go. I don't remember a lot more about that evening, but that's how I met her. We'd always hang out with each other when I was in Paris. She'd hang out with all the Nick Cave people. I didn't see her so much when she got back to London and the last few years I didn't really see her at all. She had always been highly regarded in my family house. My mum had been obsessed with her album Broken English. I can clearly remember her dancing around the living room singing Why D'Ya Do It? And as a person she was just lovely, beautiful, wonderful. I'm just going through the pictures of her you've got in the Guardian and the people she worked with – that's quite a roll call. I bet you everyone says they absolutely loved her. As for her qualities as a singer – well, she was authentic. She wasn't the greatest of singers, but then again, that's not what made her so special. It was the life lived through that voice, that journey from being this seemingly sweet, innocent beauty into this incredible sort of matriarch of indie. Was she motherly to me? No. We always had a laugh. She had an endless source of incredible, somewhat salacious stories about people who had all become much more circumscribed in their behaviour. She was always a bit cynical about how people were transformed into pillars of the establishment. But she was always true to her creed. Blur made a song with her, called Kissin Time. I only vaguely remember it. I mean, look, we were just another of her backing bands. There was never anyone like her, and there never will be. There was a strange dichotomy between this will-o-the-wisp flowery beauty and this hard, gnarly rock'n'roll figure. She had these two strains, which were very strong, and yet kind of complete opposites. She was a big fan of my mother[Kate McGarrigle], of the McGarrigle sisters, and occasionally she would come to their shows. I met her backstage when I was a little kid, occasionally. But it was really through [esteemed music producer] Hal Willner that I got to know her: he would do these tribute shows, to Harry Smith or Leonard Cohen, and she would show up. I always loved her album Broken English, with [the lyrics from The Ballad of Lucy Jordan] 'She realised she'd never ride/Through Paris in a sports car …'. But when she did a Kurt Weill tribute with Hal, and sang the Ballad of the Soldier's Wife, that's when she really clicked. And then it really gelled when I started hanging out with Carrie Fisher, because Marianne and Carrie were very, very close. I had several wild evenings seated between them, kind of along for the ride. They were completely classic, original legends, who seemed to live in a universe all their own, and it was very decadent, incredibly funny and totally rock'n'roll. One of the craziest times was when I had a week of partying with Marianne and my mother, which I'm not going to get into too many details of – it was quite intense. I think I went to rehab two weeks later. But we'd talk about music, funny jokes, sex, the craziness of life. Marianne was someone who struggled with addiction for many years, and she never quite won that battle. It was always haunting her. So I think, even if she was sober, there was a little bit of the devil in her, always, and on one hand you were very attracted to that, and very inspired, but you also had to be careful. But the main thing about her, putting the drugs aside, is that she was a great fan of music. She was really affected by a wonderful song or brilliant performance. She clocked pretty early on that I was on a fairly good [career] track, and she really was excited for me. And it was when she came to me and said: 'Rufus, you've really made it', that I knew that I had. I knew there wasn't a modicum of bullshit in her assessments in general. That's what I most cherish about the relationship with her: when she was clear-eyed, and engaged artistically, she was such a rich judge of depth and meaning, and the true brilliance of what music can be. There was nothing cheap about her whatsoever.
Express Tribune
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Marianne Faithfull, legendary pop star and survivor, dies at 78
Marianne Faithfull, the iconic pop star who transitioned from being Mick Jagger's muse to a gritty survivor, has died at the age of 78 in London. Known for her ethereal beauty and haunting voice, Faithfull's early career in the 1960s was marked by her hit 'As Tears Go By' and her romantic involvement with Jagger. However, her life took a darker turn as she battled addiction, homelessness, and personal tragedy, including a suicide attempt and a tumultuous public persona. Despite these struggles, Faithfull reinvented herself in the 1970s, finding new respect as a cabaret artist. Her 1979 album Broken English earned her critical acclaim for its raw and gritty sound, a stark contrast to her early pop hits. Songs like 'Why D'Ya Do It?' became anthems of her tumultuous journey, cementing her as a symbol of survival and transformation. Throughout her career, Faithfull recorded over 20 albums and also made notable appearances in film and theater, including roles in The Girl on a Motorcycle and Hamlet. Later in life, she continued to release music, collaborating with artists like PJ Harvey and Nick Cave. Despite battling breast cancer and hepatitis C, Faithfull remained a beloved figure in the music world until her death. She is survived by her son, Nicholas Dunbar, and her grandchildren. Faithfull's story remains a testament to resilience, as she navigated both the glitz of fame and the depths of personal struggles, ultimately emerging as a revered artist in her own right.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Singer Marianne Faithfull known for 'As Tears Go By' dies aged 78
Singer and actress Marianne Faithfull has died at the age of 78, a spokesperson has said. Faithfull's hits included As Tears Go By, which was written by The Rolling Stones' Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. In addition to her music career, Faithfull also acted in films including The Girl on a Motorcycle, as well as theatre productions. A statement said: 'It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull. 'Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family. 'She will be dearly missed.' Along with her hit, As Tears Go By, Faithfull had many other well-known songs including This Little Bird, Come and Stay With Me, Why D'Ya Do It? and Broken English. In her acting career, Faithfull starred in the likes of Irina Palm, Dune, Marie Antoinette, This Much I Know To Be True and Intimacy.
