Marianne Evelyn Gabriel Faithfull (born December 29, 1946) is an iconic English rock singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the 1960s with her hit single “As Tears Go By.” She became a prominent figure in the British Invasion, gaining widespread popularity in the United States.
Faithfull, born in Hampstead, London, began her music career in 1964 after being discovered by Andrew Loog Oldham at a Rolling Stones party. Her debut album Marianne Faithfull (1965), released alongside Come My Way, was a commercial hit, followed by several successful albums on Decca Records. Her romantic relationship with Mick Jagger from 1966 to 1970 further thrust her into the public eye. Faithfull also appeared in films during this period, including I’ll Never Forget What’s’isname (1967), The Girl on a Motorcycle (1968), and Hamlet (1969). However, her career was derailed in the 1970s due to personal struggles, including battles with anorexia, heroin addiction, and homelessness.
Faithfull became known for her unique voice, which initially featured melodic, high-pitched tones during the 1960s. However, after suffering severe laryngitis and the effects of drug abuse in the 1970s, her voice took on a raspy, lower-pitched quality. Some critics praised this “whisky-soaked” voice for capturing the raw emotions reflected in her later work.
After a long hiatus, Faithfull made a remarkable comeback with her 1979 album Broken English, which was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. The album earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and is often considered her defining work. She followed up with several albums, including Dangerous Acquaintances (1981), A Child’s Adventure (1983), and Strange Weather (1987).
In addition to her music, Faithfull penned three autobiographical books: Faithfull: An Autobiography (1994), Memories, Dreams & Reflections (2007), and Marianne Faithfull: A Life on Record (2014). Her contributions to music and the arts have been widely recognized; in 2009, she received the World Lifetime Achievement Award at the Women’s World Awards, and she was honored as a Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.
Singing Career: 1960s
Marianne Faithfull’s music career began in 1964, performing folk songs in London coffeehouses. She soon became immersed in the vibrant social scene of the time. In early 1964, Faithfull attended a Rolling Stones party with artist John Dunbar, where she met Andrew Loog Oldham, who ‘discovered’ her. Her debut single, “As Tears Go By”, written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Oldham, was a chart hit. A year later, the Rolling Stones released their own version, which also became a success. Faithfull followed up with more popular singles like “This Little Bird”, “Summer Nights”, and “Come and Stay with Me.”
On May 6, 1965, Faithfull married John Dunbar in Cambridge, with Peter Asher serving as best man. The couple settled in a flat in Belgravia, London, and later welcomed their son Nicholas on November 10, 1965.
In 1966, Faithfull took Nicholas to stay with Brian Jones and Anita Pallenberg in London, where she began experimenting with marijuana and formed a close friendship with Pallenberg. That same year, she left her husband and began a highly publicized relationship with Mick Jagger, becoming part of the infamous Swinging London scene. Faithfull’s voice even made a cameo on The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine.”
However, her personal life took a darker turn during a police drug raid at Keith Richards’ Sussex home, where Faithfull was famously found wearing only a fur rug. Reflecting on this in a 1990s interview, she said the incident had a devastating impact on her life, stating, “It destroyed me. For a male drug addict, that kind of behavior can be glamorized, but for a woman, it’s damaging.” The scandal also caused Faithfull to miss out on three film roles, leading her to believe that her career was over.
By 1968, Faithfull was struggling with cocaine addiction and tragically gave birth to a stillborn daughter, Corrina, while returning from Jagger’s country house in Ireland.
Faithfull’s influence on Jagger during their relationship was reflected in several of The Rolling Stones’ songs. “Sympathy for the Devil”, from the 1968 album Beggars Banquet, was partly inspired by the book The Master and Margarita, which she introduced to Jagger. Other songs, including “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, “Wild Horses”, and “I Got the Blues”, were allegedly written with her in mind. Faithfull also co-wrote “Sister Morphine”, although she had to fight a legal battle to receive co-author credit after Jagger and Richards initially released the song under their names.
In 1968, Faithfull performed solo in The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, singing “Something Better.”
Throughout the 1960s, Faithfull was open about her bisexuality, engaging in relationships with both men and women during the era.
Conclusion
Marianne Faithfull’s early career in the 1960s was a meteoric rise, driven by her haunting vocals and her prominent role in the British Invasion. From folk coffeehouses to chart-topping hits like “As Tears Go By”, her music captured the spirit of the time. However, her turbulent personal life, including a high-profile relationship with Mick Jagger and struggles with addiction, became a public spectacle, overshadowing her talents. Despite the personal challenges, Faithfull’s influence on some of The Rolling Stones’ most iconic songs and her continued presence in the music scene through collaborations and performances reflect her undeniable legacy. As both a muse and an artist in her own right, Faithfull’s journey through fame, heartbreak, and redemption would go on to define her as a resilient and enduring figure in rock history.
