Blues music is strong and emotional, yet simple: Iconic Blues sensation Dana Gillespie

"Blues is strong and emotional. It depicts pain, but yet so much simplicity. Anything that is done without having to read notes like classical music has to come from the heart."

With a music career spanning over 48 years, she has in fact recorded over 60 albums. From being a celebrated theatre and film actress to having achieved the title of a water skiing champion, one must admit Dana Gillespie is an incredibly talented woman, with an unmatched zest for life. Her music has embraced a series of genres, evolving from folk in the 60s, through the 70s Bowie-esque glam rock style to the raunchy, beaty, danceable blues she performs today.  

Gillespie speaks up about performing with world renowned musicians, her love for India and the one true blue passion in her life.

What was your first blues performance like? Tell me about any major musical influences that strongly impacted your life.

I I can’t really remember my first blues performance. When I was performing as the first Mary Magdalene in 1973, every night I would run down the road to the nearest blues club and sing there. And by 1974, I made an LP with David Bowie, that was the start of something really big for me. I felt for the blues very intensely, I think if one can speak about reincarnation, I must have lived in that era.

Could you mention three inspiring musicians you would love to get lost with?

I’ve always loved the thought of being lost on an island with Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Bessie Smith. She was an icon of the old blues women in the 30s and 40s singing about love and various forms of sex. Blues is the kind of music that is born out of pain, it has to come from the heart. Also I found that African-American artists during this particular era were so powerful, I loved that they would be dripping with sweat and singing their lungs out, whereas you’re likely to see the white musicians in a suit and no sweat! The blues are the kind of music you’d wear jeans in and perform, whereas when it comes to jazz, you’d be suited up.

You’ve rubbed shoulders with some of the most celebrated musicians in the world, including Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Jimmy Page and The Rolling Stones. What was your relationship with them like?

I’ve known David since I was 14, he wrote the song Andy Warhol for me. We even had the same manager! David would walk me home from school and pick up my ballet shoes; he taught me my first ever chord on a guitar. I’ve also known Bob since I was 15, I was the opening act for his British tour in the 90s. You see, when I was 15, I looked really good, I was big busted and what not! Mick Jagger and I have been close since the 60s! I run my own blues festival in the West Indies, so he’s got up on stage and sang with the band. Jimmy Page played on my first LP in 1965, ‘Foolish Season’! Additionally, the bass player from Led Zeppelin also performed on this album. Definitely exciting times in my life.

You have a deep-rooted connection with India. Tell me about your first trip here and your devotion towards Satya Sai Baba.

I came to India about 40 years ago, I read a book on Satya Sai Baba about 35 years ago, I expected him to say welcome to India when I came, but he ignored me for 20 years! Until his 70th birthday, when he asked me to sing. When I first came, I was sleeping in the shed with a 100 people on the floor, covered in sambar, eating rice. I learned humility and patience, it’s a great joy to be in this country. 

Since you’re well-versed in African, Indian and Arabic music. What does music truly mean to you? 

I greatly appreciate world music. Music is my god, it’s my master, it’s the one thing that I’ve followed ever since I was 11 years old. I can’t wait to perform again in India!

Shashwati Shankar is a progressive twenty-something hipster-meets-tree-hugging-music-lover who overtly judges people by what they listen to.