Dusty Springfield and The McCartneys
In March 1999, Dusty Springfield, the musical icon of the 1960s, would sadly die of breast cancer.
Nine months earlier, her friend, Linda McCartney, also diagnosed with breast cancer, had passed away.
According to Dusty's closest friends/caregivers, before she passed, Dusty would regularly hear from Linda (and Paul, who she had known since their rise to fame in the early 60s).
SIMON BELL: During that 14 months a lot of people in show business would call on the telephone, and Dusty found it hard to takes those calls... She spoke to Linda regularly, especially as Linda herself was dealing with her own cancer. PAT RHODES: Paul and Linda were lovely to Dusty, they'd send her little presents and her and Linda would chat on the phone… And I happened to switch the TV on one night and the message came through that Linda had died. SIMON BELL: It was a very big blow to Dusty because Linda was really an inspiration… And it was particularly poignant because that day flowers had arrived from Linda. Linda regularly sent beautiful bouquets and there was a real sadness that those flowers were there...
- Just Dusty (2009)
PAT RHODES: I unfortunately was the one who had to pass the news on to Dusty when Linda died, and it was horrific... cause Dusty just screamed down the phone 'no, you've got it wrong, you've got in wrong!' She couldn't believe Linda had gone... And Paul was very good to Dusty after Linda died, he still rang her for a while and kept her going.
- The South Bank Show: Dusty Springfield (2006)
When Dusty passed away the following March, a funeral was held in Henley-upon-Thames where she had lived, attended by hundreds of friends and fans. The news coverage showed the image of a sunflower bouquet and card sent by Paul.
Two weeks later, Paul and the, now, late-great Dusty were both inducted into the 1999 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Pictured:
Dusty with visiting friend, Marv, in front of house on the Thames. Photo credit Simon Bell.
Linda riding her Appaloosa stallion in the McCartney's East Sussex home. Photo credit Mary McCartney.
Bouquet and card sent by Paul to Dusty's funeral.
Paul McCartney, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones and Ringo Starr at the Pop Poll Awards 1966. Unknown photographer.
