Personally


 I have had the privilege, on occasion, to be allowed into the heart of this fine person, I now write you this.

I respect and admire Marianne, not only for her work in music,  but for her dedication to her personal life and members of her family,  the spirit and the will to keep up,  even when it is a struggle to keep every one aboard and stay afloat.  I admire the way that even when times have knocked her flat she has shrugged it off and survived to fight another day.  Marianne is a good person,  with much love to give, she has a sympathy for others and many many good and great friends who I am sure love her as much as I.

I have been in the professional entertainment industry for over 30 years and have been successful, and I can tell you that it is tough for a strong man and tougher for a woman.  Rejection and disappointment,  people who say one thing and rip you off without a smile; but you grow strong that way and when the highs come they can be so miraculous you just have to do it all again just for the buzz.  If you have never stood on a stage,  with the lights burning down on you,  your stomach tight with anticipation,  catching a glimpse of some heads and faces through the glare.  If you have never smelt the smell or felt the buzz.  If you have never switched on the radio,  by chance and heard yourself singing,  or sat by the TV and seen a programme you were involved in. If you have never had a telegram wishing you luck on an opening night.  I my opinion you have never lived,  but then this is just my opinion.

I am proud to know Marianne,  I wish that you could know some more of the personal side of her life,  but not in this public venue.  Marianne is a treasure and I hope you will treasure these glimpses of her life and feel apart of the enormous success she has been and is.  I hope that you will want to buy some of her works,  and promote her wherever you can,  people recognised Vincent van Gogh when it was to late for him to enjoy it.  Stand up and shout because if you really want to hear the colours you have to listen to someone who can really paint,  listen to 'Pink Flamingos and you will understand what I am saying.

Marianne wrote a great song called Gypsy Girl-- "Somewhere long ago there was a gypsy girl with long blonde flowing hair and she dreamed to dare…..gypsy girl the road is long and wide and bending and you might fall,  but she never heard a word."  I have often wondered if this song is auto-biographical.  I said to her  "She dreamed to dare... what a great line."  She said  "Is it ? Well I have to  agree with you,  but I really don't know,  I don't know where it came from it just came."  The road has been long and wide and bending and Marianne is still on it.



Almond Greenway