Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

Toyah / Live at the Rainbow
First time on DVD and CD/LP

Toyah Live at the Rainbow was issued on VHS back in 1981 (and later on laserdisc) but now gets the full reissue treatment with remixed and remastered audio on vinyl and CD as well as a DVD with restored visuals.

The concert was in February 1981 at London’s iconic Rainbow Theatre and includes a performance of ‘It’s A Mystery’. Such was that single’s success (it reached number four as part of the ‘Four From Toyah’ EP) it prompted a gig upgrade from the Lyceum Theatre to The Rainbow.

Live at the Rainbow was originally a 12-song video, but on CD it has been expanded with with seven additional tracks, all previously unheard and unreleased; restored exclusively for this release. These include ‘Bird In Flight’, ‘Mummies’, ‘Computer’ and ‘Love Me’. Three of these seven songs are in mono because the original multi-track masters could not be found. The coloured blue vinyl edition doesn’t include the mono tracks and is therefore a 16-song offering.

• Continue reading at Super Deluxe Edition.

This new article, published by The Reprobate Press, is more of an opinion piece on Toyah rather than just a review of Anthem, but an interesting read.

WITH CHARM AND CHANCE: TOYAH’S ANTHEM REVISITED

Looking back at Toyah’s magnificent 1981 breakthrough album and its dystopian, rebellious sci-fi concepts.

Back in the 1980s, when teenage musical tribalism was at its height, stepping out of your lane was simply not the done thing. Yet for many of us, the strict divisions that split punk from metal from pop and all points in between seemed increasingly ludicrous and arbitrary, as much based on what a band or performer looked like as on their musical output. I rather threw all that aside very early into my teenage musical fixation. After all, bands themselves – especially what we now call classic rock but what at the time was often dismissed as old farts* – were sneered at for chasing trends, sometimes with good reason but often unfairly in retrospect. There was nothing wrong with developing and experimenting with your sound, and those artists who managed to escape the sneering by remaining defiantly art rock – Peter Gabriel, say – were just as likely to be making albums that were nothing like their past work and, in retrospect, very much of their time.

This preamble leads us to your author’s curious fascination with Toyah, who was – depending on which period of her career in the 1980s you were talking about – seen as a punk or a pop star. I’ve already made the case that she was neither, at least musically at the start of her career – the ‘pop star’ dismissal by former punk admirers has a bit more credibility as her career shifted towards kid’s TV appearances, increasingly less arty record covers and more radio-friendly singles, but we could make that particular accusation against many performers. Once Toyah had a couple of hits – which we’ll come to shortly – then she was unavoidable, and as a teenager with a fascination for the terminally uncool worlds of prog, art rock and industrial music, there was something that drew me to her.

• Continue reading at The Reprobate Press.

A new interview with Robert Fripp, including mention of Toyah and You Tube/Sunday Lunch…

Robert Fripp Lightens Up
No one expected to see the leader of King Crimson dancing in a tutu on YouTube. In a rare interview, the guitarist explains “an entirely different trajectory.”

• Continue reading at The New York Times.

Toyah and, Anthem – and many other Toyah releases during the Safari Records years – producer, Nick Tauber are interviewed in The Guardian today, discussing It’s A Mystery, from the Four From Toyah EP and the, just reissued in deluxe formats, iconic/legendary/magnificent 1981 album, Anthem.

Toyah on It’s a Mystery: ‘I told Princess Margaret I was a punk rocker. She said “How ridiculous”’

‘There was a vinyl shortage when it was released. Old records had to be sent to the factory to be melted down and pressed. But soon it was selling 75,000 copies a day’

I was a cult punk singer playing sweaty little clubs and getting covered in so much gob that dry cleaners would go: “Yeuch! We’re not touching that!” Then a brilliant PR woman called Judy Totton turned everything around. She put me in every parish magazine in the country that would talk to me. I soon had all these fans who said they discovered me because their parents or grandparents had told them about this punk rocker.

I was making singles that were eight minutes long with reams of lyrics and had never had a hit. When Safari Records played my 1980 single Ieya on rotation in their office, a man apparently appeared at their door with a knife and said: “If you play that song again, I’ll kill you!” I started working with a new producer, Nick Tauber, who said I needed to simplify the message. He was completely right.

• Continue reading at The Guardian.

More press for Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – This week paying respects to Queen Elizabeth II with David Bowie’s Heroes. (Image © Toyah Willcox)

• David Bowie News: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp dedicate cover of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ to Queen Elizabeth II – Continue…

• Guitar.Com: Robert Fripp and Toyah Cover David Bowie’s Heroes In Honour Of Queen Elizabeth II: The musical duo hit pause on their weekly Sunday Lunch series to pay tribute to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch – Continue…

• NME: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp dedicate cover of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ to Queen Elizabeth II: The couple paused their usual style of program to pay their respects with the song – Continue…

• Classic Rock/Louder: Toyah and Robert Fripp salute Queen Elizabeth II by re-sharing their cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes”: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp pause their regular Sunday Lunch series in acknowledgement of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen – Continue…

• Far Out: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp cover David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ in dedication to Queen Elizabeth II – Continue…

Toyah remains an iconic figure across several decades of the UK music scene. Outside of her acting career, she chalked up a series of chart hits as a musician including ‘It’s A Mystery’, ‘I Want To Be Free’ and ‘Thunder In The Mountains’.

More recently, she returned with the album Posh Pop which reached the top 25 in the UK charts. She also enjoys her regular (and popular) Sunday Lunch video shows, alongside husband Robert Fripp.

This October sees Toyah supporting Billy Idol as part of his Roadside tour. Meanwhile, Toyah’s classic 1981 album Anthem is also being reissued this September. Blitzed sat down with Toyah to discuss her busy autumn plans…

You’ve got the Billy Idol tour coming up in October, which is an interesting contrast. You’re both very different, yet at the same time you’re both seasoned travelers from that fervent 80s pop scene.

It’s great and don’t forget punk rock. Billy used to be based in London with Generation X, which is when I met him. We both have 45-year careers, are quite diverse in our individual journeys as musicians and then you’ve got Television performing Marquee Moon.

I think it’s quite a clever line up because I’m only on stage for 7:30 to 8:00 o’clock and I’ve got to fit in 28 albums and 15 hit singles. That’s quite a journey to make, but what all of us have in common on this bill is we started in punk and we’ve both, all of us, evolved into rock. I think it’s quite diverse. I’m not just an 80s icon. I’ve been pretty present, especially in the last few years. I think it’s a very clever mix I hope that I can get in some good punk rock material. Obviously the 80s material, but also the new stuff as well because Posh Pop went to No. 1 in 36 charts, 22 in the main charts on August the 27th last year and I’m certainly going to be including some Posh Pop tracks.

• Continue reading at Blitzed.

Toyah to feature in packed Ironbridge Festival of Imagination line-up

Pop icon Toyah Wilcox will be performing at an 18-day festival held across an historic county location.

The Festival of Imagination returns to Ironbridge from September 15 to October 2, with a packed programme of events.

Taking place across various venues throughout the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, including the Salon Perdu spiegeltent – a large travelling tent made of wood and canvas and decorated with mirrors and stained glass – to be located in Dale End Park.

Across the festival there will be a variety of music, workshops, poetry and walking events. From music icon Toyah to The Graffiti Classics, there will be a host of other performers, including folk music from The Unthanks and the razzle dazzle of the Queenz Show.

Toyah will be performing on Thursday, September 22, at the Salon Perdu. It comes after the released of her top-25 charting album Posh Pop last year.

• Continue reading at the Shropshire Star. NB. This gig is part of the Anthem 40 +1 Tour. More details here.

• Toyah At Home: Castaways – Watch… • Robert At Home: Episode 5 – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Objects Of Desire – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – 5 Mins With Fripp – Watch…

Press for Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – This week covering Pantera. (Image © Toyah Willcox)

• Guitar.Com: Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox Spend 5 Minutes Alone In new Pantera Cover: The couple pay homage to the recently reformed Groove metal band with their latest addition to Sunday Lunch – Continue…

• NME: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp share rocking cover of Pantera’s ‘5 Minutes Alone’: “Robert is back and on top form” – Continue…

• Classic Rock/Louder: Holy hell! Toyah and Robert Fripp have only gone and covered Pantera: Robert Fripp and Toyah get their groove metal thing on with an unlikely cover of Pantera’s 5 Minutes Alone – Continue…

• Brooklyn Vegan: Watch Toyah & Robert Fripp cover Pantera’s “5 Minutes Alone” – Continue…

• Metal Sucks: Your Favorite Cover Artists Toyah and Fripp Are Back with “5 Minutes Alone” – Continue…

• Consequence: Robert Fripp and Toyah Take on Pantera’s “5 Minutes Alone”: The couple’s latest “Sunday Lunch” performance pays homage to the recently reactivated metal band – Continue…

• Metal Addicts: Robert Fripp and Toyah Wilcox cover Pantera’s ‘5 Minutes Alone’ – Continue…

• Brave Words: Robert Fripp & Toyah Perform Pantera’s “5 Minutes Alone” – Continue…

• Guitar World: Robert Fripp and Toyah take on Pantera’s 5 Minutes Alone – Continue…

• The Pit: LOL: King Crimson’s Robert Fripp + Toyah Cover Pantera’s ‘5 Minutes Alone’ Holy Hell You Are Not Prepared For This – Continue…

• DGM Live: Toyah & Robert’s Weekend – Continue…

Toyah Willcox to star in Weightless, a short film being shot on the Isle of Wight

A fantastic coup for Ventnorian Rowena Amos, as Toyah Willcox is confirmed for a new short film being shot on the Isle of Wight next month

Congratulations are in order for the powerhouse Ventnor resident, Rowena Amos, who has just announced that she’s secured the musician, actress and presenter, Toyah Willcox, for her next short film.

Weightless will be filmed on the Isle of Wight in Ventnor and Freshwater at the end of September 2022.

“Legendary punk princess and cult actress”

Rowena is incredibly excited about securing the “legendary punk princess and cult actress”, Toyah for the role.

Toyah’s career in music, acting and presenting spans 40 years, during which she had eight Top 40 singles and a prolific 20 albums. She’s married to the founder and guitarist of the progressive rock group King Crimson, Robert Fripp, who thousands enjoyed watching perform with Toyah during Lockdown via YouTube.

• Continue reading at On The Wight.

Toyah: 40 years on, a celebration of her groundbreaking album Anthem

It is now 40 years since Toyah released her groundbreaking album Anthem and stunned the music world with her energy, her imagery and her music.

The album was certified gold and next week we can expect a deluxe box set with all you ever wanted to hear.

Looking ever youthful and cheeky as ever during lockdown in 2020 started a Sunday Lunch session of covers live from her kitchen along with her 74-year-old husband Robert Fripp.

He is an amazing guitarist and best known for his work with the prog rock band, King Crimson. Together they would take on short versions of Teenage Kicks, My Generation, Breaking The Law & Toxic, once a week at noon with elaborate costume and make up.

This won them new fans who may have missed the duo’s chart success days.

This new remastered set will satisfy both though and comes as a 2CD + DVD set, LP in gold vinyl and Super Deluxe Set of 3CD, DVD, 2 LP + 7” single. A 24-page booklet offers unseen images, classic studio photos from that time plus a newly penned introduction by Toyah herself.

• Continue reading at Fife Today.

A four star review of the Anthem Deluxe reissue, by Classic Pop magazine. The 2CD+DVD, colour vinyl and Super Deluxe box set is released on Friday 9th September, and can be pre-ordered here.

Absurdly kept from the top spot by Starsound’s Stars On 45, Toyah’s third album marked her transformation from cult punk to chart revolutionary. With co writer/guitarist Joel Bogen the only survivor from the band’s previous incarnation, the new line-up did a brilliant job of maintaining the ferocity of old while ditching the more outre excesses for facing radio playlists head on. You’ll know It’s A Mystery and I Want To Be Free, with the pointed Marionette and Pop Star similarly unstoppable bursts of fire.

As ever, archivist Craig Astley is exemplary in unearthing extras. The regular Anthem is back on vinyl, there’s a 2CD+DVD set or the boxset is a mighty 3CD, DVD, 2LP and a 7″ of the Flexipop single Sphinx on proper vinyl. The box’s second LP comprises everything from standalone single Thunder In The Mountains, though annoyingly the Anthem LP is a picture disc in the box. Bah.

Alongside a BBC six-song session, the highlight of the extras are a handful of unreleased instrumentals: why Toyah didn’t turn Dropped Earring into a hit is, well, a mystery. Throw in Toyah causing havoc on the DVD’s TV appearances and you get a fabulous document of an ex-punk rivalling Adam Ant for seizing the moment.

• The latest issue of Classic Pop is on sale now! (Thanks to Minna)

• Toyah At Home: Reaction to Indecision on Old Grey Whistle Test – Watch… • Robert At Home (& Away): Episode 4 – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Objects Of Desire – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – The One With All The Fripps! – Watch…

Press for Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – This week sharing a compilation of previous lunchy bits! (Image © Toyah Willcox)

• Guitar.Com: Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox ‘Pull A Fripp’ In Sunday Lunch Blooper Reel: AKA a compilation of Fripp saying “bollocks!” – Continue…

• NME: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp share ‘Sunday Lunch’ bloopers compilation “The One With All The Fripps!” – Continue…

• Brooklyn Vegan: Watch Toyah & Robert Fripp’s “Sunday Lunch” blooper compilation – Continue…

• Brave Words: Robert Fripp & Toyah Share Sunday Lunch Blooper Compilation – “We Call It Pulling A Fripp” – Continue…

• DGM Live: Toyah & Robert’s Weekend – Continue…

Interview: Toyah Willcox on her Anthem 40th Anniversary tour

In episode #95 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Toyah Willcox. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Toyah Willcox has had eight top 40 singles, released over 20 albums, written two books, appeared in over 40 stage plays and ten feature films, and voiced and presented numerous television shows.

In this interview, Toyah talks about supporting Billy Idol on his UK Arena tour, her Anthem 40th Anniversary tour, Posh Pop, Sunday lunch videos with her husband Robert Fripp, acting and lots more.

• Continue reading at XS Noize.

• Toyah At Home: Street Creature – Watch… • Robert At Home: Episode 3 – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Objects Of Desire – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Nookie – Watch…

Press for Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – This week covering Limp Bizkit. (Image © Toyah Willcox)

• Guitar.Com: Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox Do It All For The ‘Nookie’ On This Week’s Sunday Lunch – Continue…

• NME: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp cover Limp Bizkit’s ‘Nookie’ for Sunday Lunch: “The Duo are back on form this week” – Continue…

• Classic Rock/Louder: Perhaps inevitably, Toyah and Robert Fripp have covered Limp Bizkit’s Nookie: Humanity aghast as Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox launch crazed cover of Limp Bizkit’s era-defining nu metal banger Nookie – Continue…

• Brooklyn Vegan: Watch Toyah & Robert cover Limp Bizkit’s “Nookie” – Continue…

• Metal Sucks: King Crimson’s Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox Cover Limp Bizkit’s “Nookie” – Continue…

• Consequence: Robert Fripp and Toyah Do It All for the “Nookie” with Limp Bizkit Cover: The married couple take on the nu-metal anthem for their latest “Sunday Lunch” performance – Continue…

• Far Out: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp cover ‘Nookie’ by Limp Bizkit – Continue…

• Brave Words: Robert Fripp & Toyah Perform Limp Bizkit’s “Nookie” – Continue…

• Ultimate Guitar: Watch: Robert Fripp and Toyah Cover Limp Bizkit’s ‘Nookie’: They did it all for the nookie – Continue…

• DGM Live: Toyah & Robert’s Weekend – Continue…

Watch Toyah Willcox, Robert Fripp Cover Limp Bizkit’s ‘Nookie’ for ‘Sunday Lunch’

Video is the latest in a series from the King Crimson guitarist and his wife

Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp will, apparently, do it all for the nookie. The pair covered the quintessential 1999 Limp Bizkit song “Nookie” for their popular YouTube cover series “Sunday Lunch.”

In the video, the King Crimson guitarist, wearing a sequined baseball cap, takes on guitar duties while Willcox rocks out on the vocals. As usual, the pair filmed the clip in their kitchen, using a fan to create a dramatic wind machine effect on Willcox’s hair.

• Continue reading at Rolling Stone.

Cover Of The Week – Graceful Toyah And Her Rhythm Slaves

Toyah and Robert Fripp do not need an introduction whatsoever anymore, if you ask me (also if you don’t ask me). Both had/have notable successful careers and both together have their Sunday lunch on YouTube, every week for more than two years now.

About 2 months ago the lovebirds picked Grace Jones‘s giant 1985 hit Slave to the Rhythm to entertain us with it on the laziest day of the week.

Recently T & R recorded their cover of that soulful pearl, fully orchestrated, as a new Toyah single, and shared an accompanying video so you can join sexy Toyah for a little dance to this sensuous interpretation with her seductive posh pop voice as the star in the middle and the trippy guitars of King Robert and Simon Darlow on the sides, left and right. They’re rhythm slaves to Toyah.

• Continue reading at Turn Up The Volume.

Toyah Willcox on refusing to be ‘controlled’ by age, and playing Glasgow with Billy Idol

The It’s a Mystery star has found a new audience with her YouTube videos.

Toyah Willcox continues to be audacious in her 60s and refuses to be “controlled by the number” of her age.

In the 80s her anthem I Want To Be Free and her vivid hair colours made her an icon of rebellious youth.

And the punk remains a beacon of individuality at 64, posing in revealing outfits for her Sunday Lunch YouTube sensation with guitarist husband Robert Fripp.

The videos have had 100million views since they started doing them during lockdown in 2020.

Toyah said: “I’m not being controlled by the number of my age. I have a great passion for what I do and I’m continuing it. Age should only be a number.

“I’ve been rocking in this world for 45 years as a career. You don’t just suddenly stop or stop that connection with music.”

• Continue reading at the Daily Record.

Toyah – Interview With Nigel Carr at Louder Than War

Toyah talks with Nigel Carr at Louder Than War about her Anthem 40th Anniversary tour, Playing Cropedy Festival this week with a surprise appearance by husband Robert Fripp (Thursday 11th August 2022), and supporting Billy Idol on his UK Arena tour alongside Television.

“I helped Franc Roddham out by putting John Lydon through the screentest for Quadrophenia. Lydon was absolutely astonishing. He’s a great actor waiting to be discovered”

Toyah was the face of 1981 with her startling looks, big hair and stadium slaying voice. After 5 years of juggling acting and singing, and after scoring an indie number one, she finally broke through into the mainstream with Four From Toyah, which included the hits, It’s a Mystery and I Want To Be Free. The ensuing album Anthem topped the charts around the world. Here, Nigel speaks with Toyah about her tough start in the music business, her impressive and award winning acting career and her return to the bigtime through the colossally popular Sunday Lunch show on YouTube, the 40th+1 anniversary of Anthem tour and supporting Billy Idol on his The Roadside Tour 2022.

• Continue reading at Louder Than War.

Toyah releases special edition of In The Court of the Crimson Queen

Toyah Willcox has recorded a cover of Grace Jones’ 1985 single ‘Slave to the Rhythm’ and added it to a new special ‘Rhythm Deluxe’ edition of her In The Court of the Crimson Queen album. ‘Slave to the Rhythm’ was written by Trevor Horn, Bruce Woolley, Simon Darlow and Stephen Lipson and to those unaware, Darlow has a very long writing/producing association with Toyah, so there’s some logic to the choose of recording, a version of which was first previewed on ‘Toyah and Robert’s Sunday Lunch’ back in July.

It seems curious to release yet another special edition of this album. It first came out in 2008, was reissued in 2013 and then remixed/reissued/expanded in 2019 (when SDE spoke to both Toyah and Simon), so this will be the fourth version! Toyah describes this new version as a “prequel” to 2021’s long-player Posh Pop and calls it the “definitive” version of the record. As well as ‘Slave to the Rhythm’ it also features three brand new remakes of the songs ‘Sensational’, ‘Heal Ourselves’ and ‘Latex Messiah’ featuring the ‘Posh Pop Three’ of Toyah, Simon Darlow and Robert Fripp.

• Continue reading at Super Deluxe Edition.

Toyah unveils studio cover of Grace Jones’ ‘Slave To The Rhythm’

Toyah has released a cover of Grace Jones’ classic hit Slave To The Rhythm.

Having performed the track with husband Robert Fripp and songwriter Simon Darlow as part of ‘Toyah and Robert’s Sunday Lunch’, the punk icon has recorded a studio version. In a blog post on her website, the hitmaker explained: “Fripp, Simon Darlow and I have been in the studio putting down the main parts of my June single release Slave To The Rhythm”.

• Continue reading at Retropop.

Photos: World-famous folk rock festival, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention, is BACK!

Music legend Trevor Horn headlines opening day

After a mini break due to the pandemic, the world-famous folk rock festival – Fairport’s Cropredy Convention – has returned.

Fairport opened with their acoustic set and the Trevor Horn band headlined. Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp joined him for one song mid-set.