"I am not consciously camp. There may be camp elements obviously! But I don't try to be. "
Today is Marianne Faithfull’s sixty-ninth birthday and to celebrate we thought we’d revisit our interview with her from 2008 promoting the release of her album, Easy Come, Easy Go. When we get to the questions about marriage, it becomes clear how much can change in seven years.
So, Marianne, you were a singer first.
Well, you know, sort of. I was discovered at seventeen and I was just a schoolgirl with a pretty little voice. Nothing really exceptional. Then I started acting and I did something at the Royal Court. It was the Three Sisters with Glenda Jackson and all those people. That was really wonderful and I enjoyed it very much. Then I did Hamlet and I’ve been acting sort of all my life. I think it’s really helped my other work, you know. especially with this record because I was able to use my love of language, my understanding and maybe my whole life really to make it. I don’t think it would have worked if I hadn’t had all that life experience.
Does it take a lot out of you recording the songs?
Yeah, but not more than I was willing to give.
How do you control that?
Well, you can’t. You’ve got to give everything you’ve got. How could I control that?
There was an Irish AIDS benefit album that you contributed too.
Maybe, yeah. I can’t remember. I always believe in helping. I’ve had a lot of friends die of that particular plague.
I know you have a large LGBT following. Why do you think that is?
I think it’s wonderful. I am not consciously camp. There may be camp elements obviously! But I don’t try to be. One of my great strengths was my gay friends and this goes back to when I was really young. I never treated my gay friends any different to my other friends.
Do you feel strongly about civil partnerships?
No. Of course I think people should get married if they want to. I can’t say I really believe in marriage. I think, you know, I would say one of the best things about being gay is that you don’t have to make these sort of life commitments. It’s like taking a step backwards. I have no problems with it at all and if they really want to do it then they should but I do think it’s a bit of a step back. They are taking something out of the straight world that doesn’t really work anyway. I mean, I’ve got nothing against marriage but if I could avoid it, I would be very happy.
Wasn’t there a time when you were bisexual as well?
Yeah, I came out myself in my autobiography. It didn’t last though as I got older I found I wasn’t gay. I might have been though.
Did you face any prejudices?
No. I’m sure there were prejudices but it didn’t seem such a big deal to me. I like my girlfriends. I can’t say I every actually fell in love with any of them. I think that’s why it wasn’t such a big deal.
Did the press catch wind of that?
No, they didn’t know.
Do you think the London party scene has changed a lot since you were there?
I don’t know. Because I’m older I don’t go to parties. Well, I do go to parties but not that many. What it was, was when I was young, London wasn’t so big. I think London has always been a very good place for parties. We know how to give good parties. Always. I’ve been reading Samuel Pepys again. It’s so fascinating. Since the Romans and probably before they’ve been having great parties.
