Faithfull, Marianne (1946– )

English singer, songwriter, and film actor. Part of the 1960s rock scene, particularly within the circle of the Rolling Stones band, she had her first hit with ‘As Tears Go By’ (1964), followed by ‘Summer Nights’ (1965). Her films included I'll Never Forget Whatshisname (1967) and Girl on a Motorcycle (1968). In 1979 the extraordinary ‘Broken English’ (1979) revived her singing career.

Other recordings include Dangerous Acquaintances (1981) and Strange Weather (1987), and more recently 20th Century Blues (1996) and Seven Deadly Sins (1998). Her autobiography, Faithfull, was published in 1994. She also appeared in the concert film The Rolling Stones Rock-and-Roll Circus, made in 1968 and premiered in 1996 at the New York Film Festival.

Faithfull was born in Hampstead, London, and educated at a convent school in Reading. She was ‘discovered’ and launched as a singer by Andrew Loog Oldham, the manager of the Rolling Stones.