Marianne Faithfull, an icon from the 60s and a performing artist for six decades, has passed away aged 78.
As a former girlfriend of Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones set Faithfull on the path to fame and glory with her recording of the Stones song ‘As Tears Go By’.
With her stunning good looks, her long blond hair, petiteness, and her fashion consciousness was enough to stun and seduce any young teenage boy at the time. It was not long before Marianne became a leading light in the heyday of the ‘swinging sixties’ but her vulnerability was quickly exposed for all to see.
Throughout her career she suffered from both drug and health related problems as she struggled to come to terms with her fame.
The Guardian features a fine tribute to Marianne Faithfull, as does The Age.
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About Colin Ritchie
Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.
Another icon of the 60s and 70’s, but her career was quite perennial. We’re all getting closer to that, as time goes by.
Thanks for this reflection on Marianne’s life in the spotlight.
1979’s ‘Broken English’ (song & album) was when Marianne talent resonating most with me.
More recently, I have discovered that she has found favour with Dylan’s anthology, covering:
Blowin In The Wind (single, 1964);
It’s All Over Now Baby Blue, Visions Of Johanna, It Takes A Lot To Laugh (Rich Kid Blues album, 1985)
I’ll Keep It With Mine (Strange Weather album, 1987).
It’s rumoured she had a big hand in writing Sister Morphine, too. But hard to get a song writing credit from the Glimmer Twins by then.
Shattered.. A tough life and incredible artist . RIP Marianne
Great legacy piece Col. Another chapter of my life’s (our!) book gone but not forgotten. Always liked Marianne, like many of us of my generation even loved her in the days when she was with Jagger. I have most of her albums with my favourite probably being ‘Broken English’.. Jagger and Richards were beyond belief and selfish bastards when not crediting her with her role in ‘writing Sister Morphine’ – Jagger especially!
Sad new Col. That band up in Rock’n’Roll Heaven just keeps expanding. They’d certainly put on a good show.
Maryanne & I saw her at the Forum: that would have been circa 2009.
Vale Marianne Faithful.
Glen!