Marianne Faithfull: As Years Go by

by Mark Hodkinson

As Years Go By is a richly detailed portrait of a woman who has lived an incredible life, one that far transcends her best-known role as courtesan to Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones.

From aristocratic lineage to convent school, stardom to attempted suicide, junkie to punk, folk singer to torch chanteuse, Marianne has seen her life flash by in banner headlines.

Reseaarched through over 50 interviews with her family, forer loves and friends, this bok reveals the truth behind the headlines, the person behind the profile.

A candid, illuminating account of an endearing yet misunderstood artist.

Genres: Music, Biography

376 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 1991

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marianne Faithfull has been represented (or rather misrepresented) for many years – her life story a scenario of rumour, scandal and gossip. The stunningly beautiful young singer, the lover of rock stars, the junkie, the actress and the mother. She has fulfilled many roles, and lived many lives, but in this account the author attempts to look past the media glare and discover the truth about the life of Marianne Faithfull.

This book looks in detail at her childhood and her parents. When Marianne first met Andrew Loog Oldham and he asked her to record for him without ever hearing her sing – knowing he could sell that look – she was portrayed as an innocent convent school girl. Indeed, she did have a Catholic education, although she also had a bohemian upbringing and was, even as a child, often called precocious and arrogant. Much of this masked an unsure shyness. However, Marianne was keen to throw herself into Swinging London and from her early meetings with John Dunbar – who she later married and who was the father of her son, Nicholas – and Oldham, she embarked on her career. John Dunbar was certainly one of the Sixties beautiful people. He ran the Indica bookshop, alongside Barry Miles (central to London counter-culture) and both were close friends of Peter Asher, brother of Jane and boyfriend of Paul McCartney. Obviously, Andrew Loog Oldham was, at that time, manager of the Rolling Stones, so she was immediately in the very centre of the musical and artistic world at that moment.

Of course, much of this book takes place in the Sixties and, indeed, the public perception of her has been defined through that era. Her very public relationship with Mick Jagger, the Redlands drugs bust, her overdose in Australia and her gradual immersion in the drugs scene are all covered here in great detail. It is interesting to read that while the Sixties – and indeed the Seventies – are often criticised for being very sexist, it was not just men whose attitudes were defined by the era they grew up in. When Mick Jagger, still a very young man, faced his first night in prison, he broke down in front of Marianne. This was not a time in when men showed their feelings and Marianne was unable to comfort her distressed boyfriend, and, indeed, was rather harsh about his emotional state. It is clear that, in later years, she was aware that she had behaved rather badly towards him and, also, it is obvious that, even now, the two are still fond of each other.

This is certainly not just about the Sixties however. The rather sad period in the 1970’s is covered, when Marianne’s drug dependence grew and she lived an unsettled and difficult existence. Her many relationships, her acting and her music career are all examined. Despite all her problems, her friends have always seemed to care for her deeply and try to help her. Often her own behaviour has been so self destructive that you cannot help read about it with disbelief – there is the hilarious tale of her appearance on Saturday Night Live, for example, when a chance meeting in a hotel meant those minding her had no chance of keeping her sober during her trip. However, she has come through everything to emerge as a credible artist, with a successful career as a singer and actress. In her life she has battled dependence on drugs, trial by media, losing custody of her son, health problems and more. Yet, she has always emerged triumphant – adored by audiences and a doting grandmother, but never losing her ability to be unique. This book truly does her justice and tells her story without making it more extreme than it was; although, frankly, that would be difficult to do.

[Mauro Aragón · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still don’t know if the title of this book was “As Tears Go By” or “As Years Go By,” but it appears to be called “Marianne Faithfull: As Tears Go By.”

I have the sepia-toned black & white photo paperback.

I read “Faithfull” by Marianne herself and thought it would be interesting to read another point of view on her life and career. Plus, photos were to be had.

But I didn’t understand why Hodkinson even bothered to write this book except to insult Marianne at every opportunity.

I wondered what Marianne would think about this book. And so I read it with that in mind.

I don’t think people interviewed in the book really understood Marianne except for a few close friends. Everything else is speculation and condemnation.

[E. B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good to read for extra details Marianne left out of her own autobiography.

[GRAESPACE · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its just not a very good book.

[Ginni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was much better written than I had originally imagined. I've always felt an affinity to Marianne because of the convent school education! And the fact that she was brought up in Reading just before I lived there. I really enjoyed the first two thirds of the book, but the last part was mainly a discography and description of film and theatre parts. I suppose this is inevitable when someone's early career is so sensational. She certainly suffered at the hands of the media. Interesting read though.

[Alan Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read about a misunderstood artist who survived the 60s and all that the media and society could throw at her. While much of her misfortune was brought upon herself she is a living legend.