The High Priestess of Punk on 40 years in showbusiness ahead of Irish gig
Always the high priestess of punk Toyah Willcox has achieved a lot in four decades. Now at the age of 60 she still enjoys ‘living out loud’ — and makes no apologies for it, writes Lorraine Wylie
In four decades, she’s released more than 20 albums, written two books, appeared in 10 feature films and over 40 stage plays. She’s also presented a number of TV shows.
But to die-hard music fans, Toyah Willcox will always be ‘The High priestess of punk.’ Between 1979 and 1981, she released three albums, Sheep Farming in Barnet The Blue Meaning and Anthem.
The latter hit the musical jackpot and as well as spawning hits such as ‘I Want to Be Free’ and ‘It’s A Mystery,’ went on to earn her a gold disc. Now, she’s ready to showcase her latest collection, ‘In the Court of the Crimson Queen,’ described as ‘a rally cry to forever living out loud.’ Ahead of her performance at the Forever Young Festival in Naas, I caught up with Toyah who told me why, at 60, she still enjoys ‘living out loud’ “I think 60 is a great age,” she tells me.
• Continue reading at the Irish Examiner.
Trailblazers: Sky Arts: Monday 8th July: 4pm
Trailblazers: Sky Arts: Tuesday 9th July: 10am
Trailblazers: Sky Arts: Sunday 14th July: 4am
New Romantics. Toyah Willcox and Billy Bragg are among those examining the New Romantic movement, from The Human League and Adam Ant, to David Bowie and Ultravox. (Series 1, Episode 16)
There’s a repeat airing of the Toyah Special of Video Killed The Radio Star on Sky Arts early next month. This is its first repeat since premiering in August 2018.
Video Killed The Radio Star: Sky Arts: Tuesday 2nd July: 7pm
Toyah Willcox. (Series 7, Episode 6) An insight into the making of videos by Toyah Willcox, whose hits included It’s A Mystery, Thunder in the Mountains and I Want To Be Free.
Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Tuesday 2nd July: 1pm
Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Wednesday 3rd July: 9am
Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Saturday 6th July: 8.30am
Blue Marigold. Series 5, Episode 1. Dropped by her agency for her diva-like behaviour, supermodel Marigold’s mental health deteriorates. Years later, she plots a comeback. Director: Giles Foster. Starring: Toyah Willcox, Ralph Bates, Sharon Duce, Helen Fraser, Billy Hamon, Edward Jewesbury.
Toyah will guest on BBC Radio 2’s Good Morning Sunday in a couple of weeks, on Sunday 30th June.
Toyah Willcox is back on tour and celebrating her 40 year career in music. Her new album, In The Court Of The Crimson Queen is described as a rally cry to forever living life out loud, proud and heard. As well as performing live in the Good Morning Sunday studio Toyah looks back over her career in music, on the stage and film.
Good Morning Sunday: BBC Radio 2: Sunday 30th June: 6am
The Rev Kate Bottley and Jason Mohammad present a show focusing on ethical and religious issues, with guests and spiritual music.
• Listen online live at the BBC Radio 2 website or post-airing at BBC Sounds.
My life through a lens: Singer and actress Toyah Willcox, 61, reveals the stories behind her favourite snaps
Celebrities share the stories behind their favourite photographs. This week it’s singer and actress Toyah Willcox, 61
1960: I love this picture of me at home in Birmingham. I’m naturally bossy and independent, and even then, aged about two, I had attitude. I never identified with being female and would physically fight my mother, Barbara, if she tried to put dresses on me. I wanted to play war and used to climb mountains and jump off cliffs. I was always hurting myself by doing idiotic things, which upset Mum a lot
1978: When I auditioned for the part of Bessie Watty in the film The Corn Is Green, I hid my bright-pink punk hair under a wig. But when I was cast and returned without it, the director wasn’t best pleased. Katharine Hepburn was the film’s main star. She would run her fingers through my hair and say, ‘I wish I could have done this at your age.’
• Continue reading, and see some great photos, at the Daily Mail.
Toyah’s blog for June 2019 is available to read at toyahwillcox.com – Click below to go there…
Toyah has numerous live appearances coming up over the next few months, including a gig at the O2 Academy, Newcastle on 22nd June, and an appearance with The SAS Band on their 25 Riff Tour at the O2 Empire in Shepherd’s Bush, London on 14th September. Visit Toyah’s Official Gigs page for full details on these and many more.
Carol Decker’s 30 Rock Chicks!: NOW 80s: Wednesday 19th June: 6pm
T’Pau’s Carol Decker brings a bit of Heart and Soul to a countdown of ’80s ladies who like to rock! With Joan Jett, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar. (as well as Toyah via the Thunder In The Mountains video)
Toyah guested on Richard Green’s show on BBC Radio Devon on Saturday
Jason Donovan, Toyah, and Hamish Stuart of the Average White Band join Richard for a chat!.
• Listen to the show online at BBC Sounds for the next four weeks.
Toyah has numerous festival appearances coming up over the next few months, including the Forever Young Festival, taking place in Dublin on 7th July and the Whitewell Festival on 7th September. Visit Toyah’s Official Gigs page for full details on these and many more.
A busy past few weeks for Toyah: Gigs, guesting on various radio shows, Playing Let’s Rock Wales on June 1st, the Wychwood Festival on June 2nd.
Toyah tweeted on Saturday that she is preparing for gigs and appearances in Bali, Bognor, the Albert Hall, Colned and Newcastle over the next two weeks… (Photo © Toyah Willcox)
Toyah’s Sack The Stylist?! Top 30: NOW 80s: Wednesday 12th June: 10am
Pop legend Toyah brings 30 memorable videos featuring a cavalcade of clothing calamities from superstars including Bowie, Madonna, Adam Ant and many more in this crazy countdown!
Carol Decker’s 30 Rock Chicks!: NOW 80s:
Tuesday 4th June: 8pm
T’Pau’s Carol Decker brings a bit of Heart and Soul to a countdown of ’80s ladies who like to rock! With Joan Jett, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar. (as well as Toyah via the Thunder In The Mountains video)
Toyah’s Sack The Stylist?! Top 30: NOW 80s:
Wednesday 5th June: 10am
Pop legend Toyah brings 30 memorable videos featuring a cavalcade of clothing calamities from superstars including Bowie, Madonna, Adam Ant and many more in this crazy countdown!
80s Stars – Then and Now!: NOW 80s: Friday 7th June: 5am
Where are they now? Classic hits followed by their current songs, including Culture Club, Kylie, Toyah, Bucks Fizz, Tony Hadley, Tiffany, Rick Astley and T’Pau!
• Watch NOW 80s on Sky (Ch 371), Virgin Media (Ch 346), Freeview (Ch 83).
Sounds Of The 80s with Gary Davies: BBC Radio 2: Wednesday 5th June: 3am
Rhythm Is Gonna Get You. Toyah Willcox guests on My 80s, whilst there’s a Gloria Estefan Mastermix!
Celebrity Antiques Road Trip: Really: Friday 14th June: 7pm
Series 1, Episode 4. Tony Blackburn and Toyah Willcox take to the road with antiques experts Charlie Ross and Charles Hanson. Their journey starts in the historic town of York and ends up with an auction in Stansted, Essex.
