Details of National Album Day 2020 have been announced, which this year celebrates the music of the 80s.
Now in its third year, National Album Day 2020 will take place on October 10 and celebrate the album format through a series of special events. As well as a series of special events (still to be announced), several big 80s releases are being reissued on vinyl or as a boxset. A selected list appears at the bottom of the page.
Five ambassadors have so far been announced for this year’s event: Blossoms, La Roux, Billy Ocean, Toyah Willcox and The Psychedelic Furs.
Please submit your questions for this week’s Toyah At Home by adding a comment at Toyah’s official Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. There’s another classic song from Anthem featuring this weekend. Ask about music, albums, singles, plays, films, anything & tune in Saturday at 11am.
Billy Ocean, Blossoms, La Roux, The Psychedelic Furs & Toyah Willcox
National Album Day will return for its third edition on Saturday 10 October with the perfect antidote to lockdown blues – a celebration of arguably music’s greatest decade, the Eighties!
Toyah Willcox, who emerged from post-punk to become one of the defining voices of the 80s, said: “I am supporting National Album Day because it is important that future generations do not miss out on the fantastic experience of listening to a whole album of songs…A culture could be lost if listeners never experience how life changing it is to discover a hidden gem not deemed worthy of being a single by a record company, ie Bowie’s ‘Lady Grinning Soul’ on Aladdin Sane. When I heard this song I felt the artist was speaking directly to me. Listening to an entire album is enriching and allows the listener precious time to connect with creativity… Albums are akin to a great book, a great party, a brilliant day in the park…they are the whole meal.”
Celebrity Eggheads: BBC1: Friday 21st August: 2.15pm Series 8, Episode 15. A team from the world of arts and entertainment comprising actor Simon Greenall, singer Toyah Willcox, arts correspondent Nick Higham, award-winning saxophonist YolanDa Brown and Proms presenter Katie Derham set out to triumph over the general knowledge Goliaths and win the cash prize for charity. Presented by Jeremy Vine.
Song of the week, on Episode Eight of Toyah At Home, was Dance In The Hurricane.
Toyah also gave viewers an exclusive sneaky peak at her character in the new film, The Ghosts Of Borley Rectory. Click below to watch the episode, which ended with an archive acoustic performance of We Are.
Carol Decker’s 30 Rock Chicks!: NOW 80s: Saturday 15th August: 3am
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)
Dancing on Ice 2021: Here’s who’s rumoured to be taking part so far
There’s some shockers in this list
In January, 12 celebs will battle it out alongside their professional partner and attempt to win over the judges and the nation. For months now there’s been speculation over which celebs may take to the ice.
Toyah Willcox: Singer Toyah Willcox is heading up the more mature section of the rumoured line up this year.
More of your social, emotional and physical predicaments are addressed with care and attention by the deeply unqualified Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp.
Rebel Run was song of the week on the seventh episode of Toyah At Home, which aired at Toyah’s official You Tube channel on Saturday.
Toyah performed a rousing live performance of the 1983 hit and discussed the album, Love Is The Law, from which it is taken. She also talked about how much she loved 1983: starring in Trafford Tanzi, recording Love Is The Law and a role in The Ebony Tower alongside Laurence Olivier.
Toyah’s famous Melissa Caplan outfits made a cameo appearance (along with lots of handbags).
Toyah talked about the cover art for The Changeling and Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!, and the artist who painted the cover for that album, Dexter Brown. Episode Seven also saw Toyah discuss: the learning curve of dealing with outside forces which affect creativity; the albums she is most proud of; favourite outfits; Divine/John Waters; Kate Bush; the songs Street Creature and The Packt.
• Click below to watch/re-watch : Toyah At Home: Episode #7, which closes with an archive live performance of, the timeless, Martian Cowboy…
Watch this! Tonight Matthew…? episode #10 ft Toyah Willcox
The newest and sunniest episode of Tonight Matthew…? is ELO’s Mr Blue Sky, featuring 80s punk princess Toyah Willcox, alongside usual suspects James Atkin (EMF) and Richard March (PWEI) and a bunch of friends from Supergrass, The Lightning Seeds and Pendulum.
Featuring:
Toyah Willcox – Vocals; Peredur ap Gwynedd – Guitar (Pendulum); Rob Coombes – Piano (Supergrass); Keith York – Drums (The Lightning Seeds / The Orb)
Helena Britten – Violin; Richard March – Bass ( Pop Will Eat Itself / Bentley Rhythm Ace); James Atkin- Vocals (EMF / Bentley Rhythm Ace).
In aid of Help Musicians – donations welcome if you can.
Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch this weekend brings a rare performance. Robert Fripp on vocals with Toyah on keyboard for a special performance of When I Fall In Love.
Toyah’s Sack The Stylist?! Top 30: NOW 80s: Tuesday 4th August: 8am
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!
More of your social, emotional and physical predicaments are addressed with care and attention by the deeply unqualified Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp.
Episode Seven of Toyah At Home airs this Saturday at You Tube and Facebook. Submit your questions at Instagram or any of Toyah’s other social media spaces.
Quadrophenia: Film 4: Friday 31st July: 1.20am Quadrophenia: TCM Movies: Monday 3rd August: 11pm Quadrophenia: TCM Movies: Saturday 8th August: 9pm
The Who wrote and produced this energetic story of a young man disillusioned with his life in 1960s London. Phil Daniels excels as the alienated anti-hero Jimmy Cooper. Director: Franc Roddam. Starring: Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Toyah Willcox, Philip Davis, Mark Wingett, Sting, and Ray Winstone.
Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard) was song of the week on the sixth episode of Toyah At Home, which aired at Toyah’s official You Tube channel on Saturday.
Toyah performed a live version of the anthemic 1982 song, the third single release of that year by Toyah. She also talked about the song.
There was another cameo appearance from Robert at the beginning of this episode. Toyah also talked about the secret to a happy marriage; does she ever regret not having children (what a personal question!!); does she ever consider giving up her career; being a female icon in the music industry; appearing on This Is Your Life; taking a TARDIS trip to revisit any concert or moment of her life; potentially playing a part in Doctor Who; singing songs by The Beatles; memories of working with Kenny Everett; playing with The Stranglers in 1980 at the Rainbow Theatre; Patti Smith; the story and meanings in the song Bird In Flight.
• Click below to watch/re-watch Toyah At Home: Episode #6, which closes with an archive live performance of, the wonderful, Bird In Flight…
Hayley Palmer interviews Toyah on Memory Lane 80s. The programme first aired on Spotlight TV on Saturday night. Please note some music videos removed due to YouTube restrictions.
Details of National Album Day 2020 have been announced, which this year celebrates the music of the 80s.
