A Look At The Controversial Relationship Between Norma Tanega and Partner Dusty Springfield

Norma Tanega was in a controversial relationship with former partner Dusty Springfield during the late 1960s and early 70s.

Norma Tanega was an American folk and pop singer-songwriter and painter who sadly passed away in 2019 at the age of 80. She wrote songs for Dusty Springfield and other prominent musicians during her career.

In 1966, she became a global sensation because of the quirky folk-pop tune “Walkin’ My Cat Named Dog.” In the same year, Tanega moved to England, where she started a relationship with Dusty Springfield.

Tanega retired into a quiet life outside of the music industry following these early accomplishments. However, she continued to work as an artist and educator.

The musical genius often made headlines for her roller-coaster relationship with Springfield. They were romantically linked in the late 1960s and early ’70s.

Here is a quick insight into the controversial relationship between one the most outstanding female singer from Britain, Norma, and Dusty.

Quick Facts

Controversial Relationship Of Norma Tanega With Her Partner Dusty Springfield

Norma Tanega started a relationship with her romantic partner, visual artist Dusty Springfield, after moving to England in 1996.

That year Tanega visited England and made several further TV appearances.

While working on the film Thank Your Lucky Stars, she first came across Springfield. Early in the 1970s, she moved back to California, and Springfield soon after purchased a home in West Hollywood.

The American singer Norma was her first serious relationship with Dusty. Her hairdresser John Adams believed that Dusty was addicted to emotional instability and reveled in the dominance of the partner she dated.

Moreover, he added that he used to get lots of calls in the middle of the night from Dusty, saying Norma was trying to kill her. A string of public occurrences at the height of her fame suggested Dusty was turning volatile.

On the other hand, during that time, homosexual relationship was not easy at all. Diane Divelbess, Norma’s college roommate, described that she learned about the pressures facing homosexual entertainers in that era through Norma.

Meanwhile, Dusty was also at the peak of her popularity. Divelbess recalled when Springfield’s once-roommate was forced to marry a man due to the rumors circulating about her sexuality.

Tanega started working as a gallerist when her six-year engagement with Springfield ended. Later on, she became a highly productive painter.

Norma Tanega And Dusty Springfield Were Never Married

Though Norma Tanega and Dusty Springfield dated for 5 or 6 years and even lived together in Kensington, London, they never married.

During that time, alongside painting and playing music, she also wrote many songs that Dusty recorded.

People and the press always questioned Dusty’s orientation throughout her life. During the 60s and 70s, people rarely opened up about their sexuality.

While Tanega never got married to anyone during her life, Springfield Teda Bracci exchanged vows at a wedding ceremony in 1983. However, their matrimony was not recognized under California law at the time.

Norma Tanega Wrote Songs For Dusty Springfield

Some of the songs that Dusty Springfield recorded was the creation of Norma Tanega.

Some of the Tanega’s written songs that Dusty recorded include “No Stranger Am I,” “Go, My Love,” “The Colour of Your Eyes,” and the English lyrics to “Morning”.

Springfield was famous for her distinctive emotional and husky voice; due to that, she found fame as part of The Springfields alongside her brother Tom and Tim Feild.

After her relationship ended with Springfield, she diverted her career as a gallerist and established herself as a  prolific painter. People admired her vibrant body of work—surrealist portraits, neon hockey masks, and otherworldly landscapes.

On the other hand, she continued as a musician but did not wholly focus on the music.