Song:Son Of A Preacher Man
Album:Anthology
Dusty Springfield was one of the most popular and versatile singers of the 60s. Son Of A Preacher Man came late in her run but has proven to be one of her most memorable songs from one of her best albums. She was born Mary O'Brien Apr. 16, 1939 in London. Dusty was a childhood nickname. She grew up idolizing Peggy Lee and joined the girl group The Lana Sisters in 1958. They toured England and released a few singles but went nowhere. So she joined a folk group that her brother Dion had formed with Tim Feild. They called themselves The Springfields. Dion became Tom Springfield and Dusty O'Brien became Dusty Springfield. They had a top 20 hit in 1962 with Silver Threads And Golden Needles but Dusty felt she was limited by the group's folk roots and left in 1963. She signed with Philips Records and her first single I Only Want To Be With You was a big hit in England and the US. She had several hits over the next few years but by 1968, she was still popular in England but had declined in the US. Her love of soul music led her to sign with Atlantic Records in the US and she went to Memphis to record with legendary producer Jerry Wexler and accompanied by The Memphis Cats and The Sweet Inspirations. Son Of A Preacher Man was turned down by Aretha Franklin but she recorded it after hearing Dusty's version. It was a top ten hit and Dusty In Memphis is probably her best album. You can get this 3CD Anthology but Rhino released a Deluxe Edition of Dusty In Memphis in 1999 with several bonus tracks. Son Of A Preacher Man has proven to be a very durable song. Many artists have covered it, most recently British teenage soul singer Joss Stone. Dusty recorded a couple more albums for Atlantic but by 1972, things weren't going well and she left for ABC Dunhill. She continued her decline until she was dropped by Philips in 1979. Her appearance with The Pet Shop Boys revived her career in the 80s but then she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994. Dusty Springfield continued to perform unti her death on Mar. 2, 1999 at age 59. Here's Dusty Springfield performing Son Of A Preacher Man at Royal Albert Hall in 1979.
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