Dusty tribute evokes shades of greatness with a series of hits

DUSTY And The Shades Of The 60s is the musical stage show that celebrates the life and music of the legendary Dusty Springfield and the popstars of the Sixties and which comes to Southport Theatre on March 28.

Starring singer and actress Emily Clark with the singing trio The Shades, this pop-filled show is dedicated to the invention of pop music, the songs and the stars of the 60s.

Dusty Springfield’s string of hits began on January 1, 1964 when she performed I Only Want to be with You on the BBC’s new TV programme Top of the Pops.

It was closely followed by You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, Son of a Preacher Man, I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself and You Don’t Own Me.

All these songs and more will be performed in the show when Dusty and the Shades will take audiences on a music-filled journey featuring the songs, artists and songwriters who worked with Dusty over a stellar 35-year career.

The cast will perform a roster of Dusty hits written by Burt Bacharach, Carole King and others including Say A Little Prayer, Downtown, Natural Woman and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough which was a huge hit for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1967.

Dusty was a powerhouse singer and a style beacon; her blonde beehive up-do and black eyeliner inspired millions of teenage girls, while her soulful voice and clever choice of material gained her legions of followers here and in the US.

Singer Emily Clark said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for me to pay homage to one of the greatest singers of that time as well as the writers of some legendary songs. Dusty was an amazing woman, personally and professionally and I hope the Shades and I will be doing her proud!”

Dusty Springfield, her brother Tom and their friend Tim Field performed as The Springfields in the late 1950s when Dusty was still in her teens.

The trio quickly became Britain’s top pop act so when Dusty decided to leave the group to go solo, she already had a following.

From 1964 to the late 1970s Dusty enjoyed chart toppers in the UK and US.

In the 1980s she had another run of success via her work with the Pet Shop Boys with the smash hit single What Have I Done To Deserve This? and Nothing Has Been Proved for the film Scandal.

For more details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/ venues/southport-theatreand-convention-centre/