The voice of Dusty Springfield, who passed away at the age of 59 from the effects of cancer, was one of the many distinctive sounds to emerge from the vibrant British pop industry in the fertile 1960s.

She was respected by succeeding generations of singers and musicians despite a somewhat erratic career, as well as by anyone capable of responding to the subtly nuanced emotions she brought to the music of her prime, in hits like I Don’t Know What To Do With Myself, Son Of A Preacher Man, I Only Want To Be With You, The Look Of Love, Some Of Your Lovin’, and You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me.

She was born Mary O’Brien in Hampstead, and by the time she was 21 years old, she had already joined her brother Dion and a friend named Tim Field (who was later replaced by Mike Hurst) in the Springfields, a folk and country band. After changing their names to Dusty and Tom Springfield, she and Dion agreed to a recording deal with Philips Records. Dear John, their debut single, had little impact, but Breakaway and Bambino were modest singles that helped them get enough support to be crowned the Best UK Vocal Group in the New Musical Express readers’ poll at the year’s end.

What did Dusty Springfield die of?

Paul Fenn, her agent confirmed she died of breast cancer.

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