In the early 80's, I was dating a Rolling Stones fanatic. I mean,
I'm a
big fan of the Rolling Stones. But this was something else altogether.
She was relentless. Bursting out into "Stray Cat Blues on subway cars.
Knowing the lyrics to every song on "Tattoo You" a day after its
release. Dressing like Keith. Calling out Stones' songs at other
people's concerts. She was all in.
The upside is that I got to see
artists in concert that I most likely would not have seen, just because a
Stone might show up. Peter Tosh at The Ritz in 1981. (No Mick.)
Screamin' Jay Hawkins at The Savoy. (No Keith.) And Marianne Faithfull at
The Ritz in 1982. (No Mick Or Keith.) It was disappointing for her, but
not for me. All three shows stayed with me all these years later. But
so did the night my girlfriend sang all of Marianne's "Why'd Ya Do It"
at the top of her lungs in a packed West 4th Street McDonald's. If you
don't know the lyrics, look em up and think of me, that night, trying to
eat a Big Mac while this was going on. (Good times. )
Years later, late 90's, Vicki Wickham, who was a friend of my shop,
came in one night with Nona Hendryx and Miss Faithfull. She was sweet
and elegant and was very happy to sign my copy of "Dangerous
Acquaintances," which I sadly left behind with a number of things I wish
I didn't. But, I still have my Ritz stub. Gonna listen to Marianne right now.
--
11 comments:
Back before you could check something out on the 'net I read about Broken English and was intrigued enough to put money down for the album, something this cheap and traditionally unmonied dude didn't do lightly. Atop that, it had on it her version of Working Class Hero, then and still one of my two favorite songs of all time, so there was even more chance for me to be disappointed. It was, still is, and will always be a stunning piece of work and art never to be duplicated.
C in California
My first thought: "say it in broken English" -v
Good review. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/jan/30/marianne-faithfull-towering-artist-not-just-a-muse
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/jan/30/marianne-faithfull-towering-artist-not-just-a-muse
Re: "Why'd Ya Do It"
Yikes!
I like the new Sparks. There's a great energy to it
"Re: "Why'd Ya Do It"
Yikes!"
Yeah, and I had to pay for her Filet-O-Fish on top of it.
MF was a unique artist, didn't sound like anybody else (ignoring the 1960's work). I saw her in 1990 on the tour with just a pianist as accompaniment. She cancelled two other events I had tickets for. For those scared of Why'd Ya Do It?, try The Ballad of Lucy Jordan instead (it featured in Thelma and Louise, too).
- Paul in DK
Great story, she sure was one of a kind.
Randy
Okay, the burger joint performance story made me expel ice tea onto my computer screen.😎
Def a warning sign when someone orders a Filet-O-Fish. And as with all concert stubs, I can't help but look at the price and think "$12," those were the days.
RIP. She mades some great records, it's very cool that she came into your store with Nona Hendryx!
I think I would have moved to another table across the room at McD's, though.
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