Marianne Evelyn Gabriel Faithfull (December 29, 1946 – January 30, 2025) was an English singer and actress who rose to fame in the 1960s with her UK Top 5 hit "As Tears Go By." She became one of the leading female artists of the British Invasion in the United States.
Born:
Marianne Evelyn Gabriel Faithfull
December 29, 1946
Hampstead, London, England
Died:
January 30, 2025 (aged 78)
London, England
Occupations:
- Singer
- Actress
Years Active:
1964–2023
Spouses:
- John Dunbar (m. 1965; div. 1966)
- Ben Brierly (m. 1979; div. 1986)
- Giorgio Della Terza (m. 1988; div. 1991)
Partner:
Mick Jagger (1966–1970)
Children:
1
Mother:
Eva von Sacher-Masoch
Relatives:
Simon Faithfull (half-brother)
Genres:
- Rock
- Folk
- Alternative
- Blues
- Jazz
Labels:
- Decca
- London Records
- Island Records
- RCA Records
- Hut/Virgin Records
- Naïve
Born in Hampstead, London, Marianne Faithfull began her career in 1964 after being discovered by Andrew Loog Oldham at a party for The Rolling Stones. Her debut studio album, Marianne Faithfull (1965), released alongside Come My Way, was a commercial success and led to a series of albums with Decca Records. From 1966 to 1970, she had a highly publicized romantic relationship with Mick Jagger. Faithfull's fame was further boosted by her roles in films such as I'll Never Forget What's'isname (1967), The Girl on a Motorcycle (1968), and Hamlet (1969). However, her popularity waned in the 1970s as she struggled with personal issues, including anorexia, homelessness, and a heroin addiction.
Marianne Faithfull was known for her distinctive voice, which initially featured melodic, high-pitched vocals that defined her 1960s career. However, severe laryngitis combined with years of drug abuse during the 1970s permanently altered her voice, leaving it raspy, cracked, and lower in pitch. This change was described by some critics as "whisky-soaked" and was praised for capturing the raw emotions in her music.
After a prolonged commercial hiatus, Faithfull made a triumphant return with her critically acclaimed seventh studio album, Broken English (1979). The album was a commercial success and marked the revival of her musical career. Broken English earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and is often considered her "definitive recording." She followed this success with a series of albums, including Dangerous Acquaintances (1981), A Child's Adventure (1983), and Strange Weather (1987). In addition to her music, Faithfull wrote three books about her life: Faithfull: An Autobiography (1994
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