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Quadrophenia cast speak of ‘no star treatment’ received on set 40 years ago

They endured freezing weather while shooting on location in Brighton and didn’t even get dressing rooms

There was no star treatment for the cast of classic Mod movie Quadrophenia 40 years ago. They endured freezing weather while shooting on location in Brighton and didn’t even get dressing rooms.

Ahead of the anniversary, Leslie Ash, 59, said of filming: “There were no Winnebagos or anything fancy like that. We had to huddle together to keep warm. We’d sit in people’s cars or in shop doorways between scenes. No-one could say, ‘I’m going off to my trailer’. I think that’s why we all got on so well.”

Toyah Willcox, 61, added: “We were wet the whole time. It was freezing. Half the time we were stood on street corners.”

The cast didn’t even get a hefty pay packet despite the film’s big budget. Director Franc Roddam, 73, said: “I wasn’t being paid very much and nor were the cast.” Phil Davis, 66, added: “It wasn’t about the money. There was such a buzz about this film.”

• Continue reading at the Daily Star.

This New York City Playwright’s Music Video Puts a Fantastical Spin on the Tutu

When New York artist Leah Hennessey starts describing some of the influences of her band’s first official video, “Sleeping Beauty,” you can tell straight away that she’s a pop culture fanatic.

She references comic books like Grant Morrison’s The Invisibles, old fairy tales like Sleeping Beauty—unsurprising, given the song’s title—and deeper cuts like cult director Derek Jarman’s 1979 film The Tempest.

…The ballet look, on the other hand, was loosely based on Toyah Willcox’s costumes in Jarman’s The Tempest. “I was going for a feral balletic ethereality to evoke the fairy-tale aspect of the song,” she describes. Plus, she never before had an excuse to wear a tutu.

• Continue reading at Vogue.com. Browse our archive dedicated to The Tempest.

A great mini article on the Thunder In The Mountains single, just published by From The Stacks.

From The Stacks: Toyah, “Thunder In the Mountains” (Picture Disc)

Toyah never made a dent in the American charts, but lead singer Toyah Willcox left a big impression on the new wave kids. Willcox had it all: Big hair, beauty, and that “new wave diva” vocal style shared by so many early ’80s Brit artists. She was an art school kid’s dream.

And speaking of art school dreams, the video for “Thunder in the Mountains” is a Mad Max meets Spartacus fever dream:

Willcox is still getting things done, both as an actress and a musician. Her latest release is an extended version of In the Court of the Crimson Queen, featuring a guest appearance by her husband, King Crimson’s Robert Fripp.

As for this beautiful “Thunder in the Mountains” 7-inch: Expect to pay about three bucks, and just imagine how cool it will look hanging behind your turntable. Happy hunting.

• Continue reading at From The Stacks by clicking below on the Thunder In The Mountains collage I created circa 2012 (which, much like a lot of the other Toyah imagery I’ve created over the past 20 years, has been posted all over the internet/Facebook/Pinterest etc but never with any sort of link back to this website or design credit).

Toyah and Fuzzbox among the stars at this weekend’s Whitwell Festival of Music

Whitwell Festival of Music is a not-for-profit, volunteer- run event that is now in its 11th year.

Well- respected on the festival circuit, this year will see British music icon Toyah as the headline act on Saturday. Friday night’s headliner is Tony Wright of Terrorvision fame.

• Continue reading at the Derbyshire Times. A limited number (50) of tickets will be available on the gate on Saturday from 1pm – get there early!

The Independent recently interviewed Robert Fripp and The Express have published an article of cherry-picked quotes from the piece:

Toyah Willcox husband: The secret to 30 year marriage is separate HOUSES – and naughty sex

TOYAH WILLCOX has revealed the secret to her happy marriage is separate houses – as well as plenty of naughty sex.

Toyah Willcox is a four time Brit Award nominated singer who has had eight Top 40 singles and released more than 20 albums. The 61-year-old musician from Birimingham is also an author and actress, having written two books and appeared in more than 40 stage plays and 10 films – and now she will compete on BBC’s Pointless Celebrities. She married guitarist Robert Fripp, known for position in progressive rock band King Crimson, in 1986 – but why has Toyah said the secret to marital bliss is separate houses, and ‘very naughty’ sex?

Toyah Willcox, 61, has had a very lengthy career, since fronting band Toyah in 1983, before embarking on a solo career.

As a singer, songwriter, and actor, she has achieved many accolades, but one of her happiest achievements was meeting her husband Robert Fripp. The couple met at a charity lunch, first in 1983 and then in 1985.

Speaking to the Independent, he said: “My life really began when I met this little creature and she became my wife. It was like an arranged marriage. We didn’t know each other, but it was perfectly clear to me within a week of knowing Toyah that she was the woman I wanted to be my wife – just as I knew within a fairly short time of having a guitar in my hands at the age of 11 that this was going to be my life. We got to know each other within the commitments and vows of marriage.”

• Continue reading at The Express.

Toyah Willcox and Hazel O’Connor will perform in Birmingham next year.

The duo will join forces for the Electric Ladies of the 80s tour, coming to the city’s Town Hall.

Born in Kings Heath, Birmingham, 61-year-old Toyah has amassed 10 hit singles and eight hit albums including the gold selling Anthem and her 2019 chart success, In The Court of the Crimson Queen.

The singer/songwriter is best known for songs such as I Want to Be Free, Thunder in the Mountains, Ieya, Danced, Rebel Run, Victims of the Riddle, The Vow and more.

Also an acclaimed actress, Toyah has performed on film and stages the world over including a role in The Who film, Quadrophenia.

Hazel O’Connor has released a number of hits, including Will You?, Eighth Day, D-Days, Give Me and Inch, Hanging Around, Big Brother and more.

The 64-year-old starred in British film Breaking Glass, for which she won the Variety Club Award and it’s accompanying soundtrack which saw her nominated for a BAFTA.

• Continue reading at the Express & Star.

Where Were You When: Ziggy Stardust made his TV debut

David Bowie’s performance of ‘Starman’ was out of this world, recalls singer Toyah Willcox.

I was born in Birmingham in 1958. My life was quite conventional by today’s standards: I went to an all-girls school, ate with my family twice a day at a dining table and wasn’t allowed to speak unless spoken to. Men led the households and were affectionately known as ‘blokes’.

Then the singer Marc Bolan came along with T Rex in 1970, strutting his stuff to ‘Ride a White Swan’. He was clearly in touch with his feminine side but was very palatable to look at. While my brother scoffed at Bolan’s satin trousers, I sneaked off from school to see him on stage – and fell in love with rock ’n’ roll.

My adolescence was completely normal until an afternoon in June 1972, when I was 14. After coming back from school, I turned on the TV to see who was singing on Lift Off With Ayshea, a music show on ITV. I was expecting Slade, Bolan, Dana, maybe Val Doonican – but instead, there was David Bowie singing ‘Starman’, in his television debut as Ziggy Stardust. It derailed me completely.

• Continue reading at You Magazine.

Quadrophenia cast spill BTS antics as they reunite to celebrate 40 years of cult film

The cast of Quadrophenia have reunited to celebrate 40 years since the cult movie was released. And what an evening it was.

Returning to Shepherds Bush, where the much-loved classic was filmed, the likes of Leslie Ash (Steph), Garry Cooper (Peter), Phil Daniels (Jimmy) and Toyah Willcox (Monkey) joined Lauren Laverne to talk all things mod. Phil Davis (Chalky), Trevor Laird (Ferdy), Gary Shail (Spider) and Mark Winget (Dave) were also in attendance to discuss the key themes of the plot, as well as spilling a number of backstage antics.

• Continue reading at the Metro. (Photo © Metro/Joe Newman/PinPep)

Toyah Special – talking about her life in music and much much more

Toyah musician, singer, songwriter, actress, producer and author. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Willcox has had 8 Top 40 singles, released over 20 albums, written two books, appeared in over 40 stage plays and 10 feature films, and voiced and presented numerous television shows.

Between 1977 and 1983 she fronted the band Toyah, before embarking on a solo career in the mid-1980s. At the 1982 BPI/Brit Awards Toyah was nominated for British Breakthrough Act, which The Human League won and Best Female Solo Artist which Randy Crawford won.

Toyah was nominated a further two times in this category in 1983, which Kim Wilde won and in 1984, which Annie Lennox won. Her biggest hits include “It’s a Mystery”, “Thunder in the Mountains” and “I Want to Be Free”.

Toyah continues to tour both with her full band and also with an acoustic line-up for her “Up Close And Personal” shows. In 2018 Toyah toured her #Toyah60 show, which marked her sixtieth birthday and fortieth year in music. This was accompanied by the release of her Four From Toyah- Birthday Edition EP of new material, which charted highly in the digital charts.

In 2019 Toyah charted at #74 in the UK album charts with a re-issue of her 2008 album In The Court Of The Crimson Queen. It also peaked at #22 on the Official Charts Company’s sales chart and #7 in the independent chart. This was Toyah’s first appearance in the British album charts since ‘Minx’ in 1985.

• Continue reading/Listen to the audio interview at C86 Show.

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.

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 Willcox will be performing at Morecambe Carnival along with a line-up of popular bands and singers.

Actor and quirky 80s pop goddess Toyah will be giving an amazing acoustic performance of her huge hits and some tracks from her acclaimed new album.

The main stage on Saturday August 10 is back for its second year once again hosted by Greg Lambert and Darren Milby.

Liverpudlian superstars The Christians will be headlining and performing all their huge hits such as ‘Ideal world’ and many more.

• Continue reading at The Visitor.

One of Britain’s most iconic household names, singer Toyah Willcox, celebrates 40 years in show business with a show at the Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 26 May.

The original punk princess, this charismatic and outspoken performer’s show is a retrospective look over a career spanning four decades that saw her amass 13 Top 40 singles, and record 24 albums.

The vibrant production, which features a full electric band, will mark the 40th anniversary of the release of her first single and studio album, and celebrate her hits, album classics and fan favourites.

… Toyah Willcox will be at Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 26 May, at 7.30pm.

• Continue reading at Eastleigh News. See further info on this gig at toyahwillcox.com.

Robert Fripp & Toyah Willcox: the prog family who proclaimed Sunday All Over the World

One of the brightest collaborations of the late 1980s arose after the wedding of postpunk singer Toyah Willcox and guitar virtuoso Robert Fripp who is by many considered to be the father of the prog rock genre. Formed in 1988 under the name Fripp/fripp, the couple’s band also recruited guitarist Trey Gunn and drummer Paul Beavis.

Having later changed its name to Sunday All Over The World, the band toured extensively in Europe to the delight of a prog audience but their recording career started and ended with one album—Kneeling At The Shrine—released in 1991. Unfortunately, it does not include all compositions performed at their concerts.

• Continue reading at Music Tales.

Get ready to rock to the sounds of the Eighties

Marion McMullen turns back the clock with some of the stars of the 1980s who are coming out to play at the Let’s Rock retro festival dates across the country

What is your strongest memory of the 1980s?
I sing my hits at least two to four times a week these days – the 80s are alive and kicking. But if I was to look back for a strong memory, it would be how large the clothes were. Everything was big and baggy.

What was your favourite gig?
Drury Lane Theatre, Christmas Eve, 1981. Headline artist for BBC TV’s The Old Grey Whistle Test – there were 12 million viewers tuned in. I was slightly nervous!

Did you ever have a starstruck moment?
(David) Bowie, always Bowie. He took my breath away. I have run away from him twice because I was speechless.

Did you embrace 1980s fashion?
I was very individualistic so I like to think 80s fashion embraced me. All my clothes were one-off designer made. I liked the big shoulders ’til I realised how out of proportion they were.

• See a larger version of the feature here. (Thanks to Colin Dew-Parry)

The Dundee Evening Telegraph‘s interview with Sharon has also now been published online. Click below to see it! (Photo © Dundee Evening Telegraph)

A great retro Barmy Aunt Boomerang photo of Toyah and Richard Madden was included in The Guardian‘s interview with Richard, published on Saturday.

The lengthy feature also references Toyah and Barmy Aunt Boomerang:

Madden has had a taste of this all-consuming busyness before: with Game Of Thrones, in his early 20s, and even before then, when he was cast, aged 12, in a BBC One series called Barmy Aunt Boomerang. So, he says, he knows enough for the shift in status not to go to his head

… Then he got the lead part in Barmy Aunt Boomerang (Toyah Willcox played the eponymous aunt), so he didn’t really go to school much between the ages of 11 and 13, and when he went back, he struggled.

• Continue reading at The Guardian. (Photo © BBC) NB: Toyah and Barmy Aunt Boomerang were previously included in a BBC feature on Richard Madden earlier this year.

CONCERT REVIEW: TOYAH with support from THE MEDIA WHORES – The Church. Dundee – April, 2019

The Church in Dundee is not large in size but full of character and given the capacity is less than 400, this was always going to be an intimate gig and the chance to experience a Goddess of Rock at close quarters.

First up on stage were The Media Whores a 4 piece post-punk band from central Scotland.

… With only a short break and time to replenish one’s glasses it was time for Toyah. The soundsystem, hit the intro ‘Every girl born is the queen of her own domain’ so let’s Dance in the Hurricane, a new track included in Toyah’s repackaged album and 2CD package In The Court Of The Crimson Queen.

The track is quality and so was Toyah, elegantly dressed in a tight fitting shiny golden dress and loaded with neck and wrist jewellery. The heavy drumming on this track excites as Toyah twists and turns to the beat.

• Continue reading at Patchchord News.

SDE has a bundle of Record Store Day releases from Demon Records to give away!

One winner will receive the Suede Head Music 3LP coloured vinyl set, The League of Gentlemen Live Again! 2LP, Heaven 17‘s Bigger Than America on coloured vinyl, Toyah‘s new album In The Court of the Crimson Queen on purple vinyl and the Marc Bolan/T. Rex bump ‘n’ grind set on blue vinyl.
One runner-up will win Suede, Marc Bolan/T. Rex and Heaven 17.

This competition, open to all, that will end at midnight BST on Sunday 28 April 2019. Good luck and enter below!

• Continue reading/Enter the competition at Super Deluxe Edition.

Her latest album’s just become her biggest in almost 25 years and Toyah’s in the mood to celebrate. The former punk marked 40 years in music with a series of anniversary shows last year and is back on the road this week just days after her revamped 15th solo album In The Court Of The Crimson Queen returned her to the charts.

Toyah, 60, admits she’s been pleasantly surprised by the success of the re-recorded set, which also includes a clutch of new songs. “It’s a good album but I don’t think anyone would’ve been as brave to imagine it’d do as well as it’s doing,” she says. “It’s been album of the week in many places so the reception’s just been fabulous.” Crimson Queen, which was originally released in 2009, has been substantially reworked by the It’s A Mystery hit-maker and her co-writer Simon Darlow. “Our record company Demon gave me an opportunity to make the album that I’d originally wanted it to be,” she explains.

“That allowed us to put in live drums and bass, and remaster and retexturize the whole album plus put new material in. We finished this at the end of January and as far as I’m concerned it’s a new release because the majority of the people buying it now never knew it existed in the first place.”

• Continue reading at Music News.

Ahead of her appearance at Church, Dundee on April 26, singing sensation Toyah Willcox shares some glimpses into her life

Q Which singers, alive or dead, inspire you?
A David Bowie, Jim Buckley, Antony Hegarty.

Q What was your plan B career-wise?
A I always wanted to be a sculptor.

Q Your house is on fire, what one item do you save?
A My husband. If it was an object, then one of my paintings by my friend Frankie Sundsten.

Q Theme song for your life?
A All Along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix. He was one of the ‘27 Club’, like Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain, who died aged 27 and the philosophy is that their work is done by then. That’s a tragic but also slightly romantic notion.

Q Last meal on earth?
A Superfood salad with fresh mango.

• Continue reading at The Courier. See the print version of this article. (Thanks to Sharon Dickson)