Toyah & Robert are hitting the road – on their Christmas Party Tour 2024 – for five special evenings of classic rock & festive fun with their full live band. Tickets are on sale now.
• Further details at toyahwillcox.com. See also: NME, Classic Rock/Prog and DGM Live.
• Saturday Morning Song: Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard) (Unplugged) – Watch… • Toyah & Robert: UpBeat Moments – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Venus – Watch…
• Classic Rock/Louder: Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox have returned to the internet with a sparkling new episode of that thing they do at the weekend – Continue…
• Brooklyn Vegan: Watch Toyah & Robert cover “Venus” (Shocking Blue/Bananarama) – Continue…
• Brave Words: Robert Fripp & Toyah Perform Shocking Blue Hit “Venus” In New Sunday Lunch Video – Continue…
• TikTok: Venus – Continue…
• DGM Live: Toyah & Robert’s Weekend – Continue…
Toyah is currently topping the Official Legacy Chart, along with Trevor Horn and Robert Fripp with their cover of Relax. The song moved up from number two to one this week. Stream or buy the track, and the album it is taken from, by clicking below.
Carol Decker’s 30 Rock Chicks!: NOW Rock: Sunday 3rd March: 12pm
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)
Minder: ITV4: Monday 4th March: 6.10am
All Mod Cons. Series 2, Episode 8. Terry tries to help his friend Kate evict some unwanted tenants, but comes to doubt her motives. Meanwhile, Arthur is desperate to get into the property market and tries to sell Terry’s flat without telling him. Guest starring Toyah Willcox and Simon Cadell. Director: Ian Sharp. Also starring: George Cole, Dennis Waterman, Peter Childs, George Layton, Patrick Malahide, Michael Troughton. Also showing on ITV4 HD. (Photos © ITV)
Britain’s Favourite Songs: Channel 5: Tuesday 27th February: 3am
1997. Series 1, episode 8. Chart countdown celebrating the biggest-selling singles of 1997 and focusing on the stories behind the songs. Featuring including massive hits from Boyzone, Hanson, All Saints, Backstreet Boys and Chumbawamba. Contributors include Alex James, Toyah Willcox, Cliff Richard and Kerry Katona.
A new interview with Toyah, from the Yorkshire Times, ahead of the Sounds Of The 80s gigs later this month.
BBC Radio 2 presenter Gary Davies has announced a nationwide 2024 tour for the live version of his show Sounds of the 80s, which will include an appearance from Toyah.
Ahead of the tour, Toyah spoke to the Yorkshire Times.
What can people expect when they come to the Sounds of the 80s show?
Anyone who attends one of the evenings will find an atmosphere where the audience can be themselves dancing and singing to their favourite tracks from a classic period in pop music. There was such a broad spectrum of music at the time from artists like Bananarama, Prince, and T’Pau, among others, including myself.
I think what will work beautifully is that the stage will be constantly active. Gary will be on there plus the dancers, and a stage set that is Gary’s Radio 2 studio and there will also be live performances from myself and other artists such as Carol Decker from T’Pau and Denise Pearson from 5 Star.
Why do you think the 1980s were such a golden period for popular music?
It was all very hedonistic, none of us thought beyond the 80s. It was difficult in the 90s to sell music from the previous decade, but that all changed with the Millennium. People wanted to hear all those iconic songs again. Part of the success of those tracks is the narrative of the songs; we really were traditional song writers then, writing about people’s attitudes and what they needed in their lives.
So, Toyah, tell us about your best 80s memories.
There were many good memories appearing on Top of the Pops. One of the happiest memories is the magnitude of what we did. For instance, on Christmas Eve in 1981, I played the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which went out live on television, bringing in twelve million viewers, which at the time was phenomenal.
• Continue reading at the Yorkshire Times. Further information and ticket links available at toyahwillcox.com.
“Thank You Steve Wright for being the kindest, brilliant, incredibly entertaining legend in radio. You always welcomed me in and I love you for that. Heaven has gained an Angel xxx”
Toyah shared the above message and a photo taken at The British Rock & Pop Awards on 8th February 1982 at the London Lyceum, in memory of Steve Wright, who died this week.
This was sad news, I grew up in the eighties and remember listening to Steve Wright In The Afternoon on Radio 1. (Photo © Barry Plummer)
Exclusive: Toyah Willcox reveals key to 38-year marriage and why she’s happy being child-free
Punk singer and actress Toyah Willcox has shared they key to her near four decade long marriage to rock musician Robert Fripp and their decision to not have children
Toyah Willcox has given a rare insight into her marriage of 38 years with rock guitarist Robert Fripp.
The punk singer, 65, married Robert, who has worked with the likes of David Bowie and Brian Eno, in 1986. They have gone on to work together as well as creating their viral Sunday Lunch series, which they now tour. Toyah and Robert, 77, film themselves every week performing covers of huge hits including Slipknot’s Psychosocial, Billy Idol’s Rebel Yell and Foo Fighters’ All My Life.
In an exclusive chat with The Mirror, Robert and Toyah have shared the secret to their successful marriage of almost four decades. Sharing what it is like touring together, Toyah said: “It’s exactly the same as being married for 38 years, it’s good. We both come from very different genres.” Robert added: “But we complement each other well, I have a wonderful time being out working with my wife, may I say, even having greater fun than when we were at home together.”
• Continue reading at The Mirror. See also Gold Radio.
90s Greatest Pop Hits: Channel 5: Tuesday 20th February: 3am
1990. Series 1, episode 1. A selection of the 1990s most memorable videos, telling the stories behind them and hearing from artists, directors, choreographers and critics, beginning with 1990. Kate Pierson of the B-52’s reminisces about filming Love Shack and Betty Boo talks about Doin’ the Do, while members of En Vogue, EMF and Beats International look back at their own visual treats. Timmy Mallett recalls the experience of filming for Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini and Go West reflect on their video exploits, while Cliff Richard, Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, David Grant, Katie Puckrik and Nina Myskow look back on the year.
Exclusive: Toyah Willcox’s baby shock as child conceived at her show and parents’ surprising gesture
Punk singer Toyah Willcox has shared her shock after finding out a couple conceived at one of her gigs as the parents made a surprising gesture nine months later
Toyah Willcox was shocked to find out a baby was conceived at her show
Toyah Willcox has revealed a baby was conceived at her gig – and she found out nine months later after the couple made a surprise gesture.
The legendary punk rocker is one of the biggest stars from the 1980s, with huge hits including It’s A Mystery and I Want to Be Free. She went on to have 30 albums, 25 feature films and countless theatre and TV presenting roles. In an exclusive chat with The Mirror alongisde husband Robert Fripp, Toyah shared her most memorable moment from her impressive singing career.
She said: “We both experienced very strange but legendary things. When I played Hammersmith Apollo in 1982, which we recorded live for an album called Warrior Rock, a child was conceived on the back row. Nine months later there was another Toyah in the world. She was actually named Toyah.”
• Continue reading at The Mirror.
Quadrophenia: BBC2: Sunday 18th February: 00.20am
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.
Britain’s Favourite Songs: Channel 5: Saturday 17th February: 3am
1997. Series 1, episode 8. Chart countdown celebrating the biggest-selling singles of 1997 and focusing on the stories behind the songs. Featuring including massive hits from Boyzone, Hanson, All Saints, Backstreet Boys and Chumbawamba. Contributors include Alex James, Toyah Willcox, Cliff Richard and Kerry Katona.
Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Monday 19th February: 5pm
Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Tuesday 20th February: 1pm
Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Wednesday 21st February: 9am
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.
Celebrity Cathphrase: ITV2: Sunday 25th February: 1.25pm
Series 3, episode 7. Stephen Mulhern hosts a celebrity special of the classic game show, with Nicola Coughlan, Stephen Mangan and Toyah Willcox all trying to say what they see as they guess well-known phrases for the chance to win a £50,000 jackpot for their chosen charity.
Britain’s Favourite Songs – 1991: Channel 5: Wednesday 21st February: 3am
1991. Series 1, episode 2. Beverley Craven, Candi Staton, Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, David Grant, Katie Puckrik and Nina Myskow reflect on the year’s videos.
Britain’s Favourite Songs – 1992: Channel 5: Thursday 22nd February: 3am
1992. Series 1, episode 3. A selection of the year’s most memorable videos. With commentary from a host of industry figures including Mark Radcliffe, Toyah Willcox, Andrew Collins, Nina Myskow and Bez.
Toyah’s blog for February 2024 is available to read at toyahwillcox.com.
The Chase: Challenge: Saturday 17th February: 9pm
The Chase: Challenge: Sunday 18th February: 4am
Celebrity Special. Bradley Walsh presents as celebrity contestants Toyah Willcox, John Barnes, Germaine Greer and Audley Harrison pit their wits against ruthless quiz genius the Chaser in the hope of winning a potential prize pot worth thousands of pounds. They must work as a team and play strategically to answer general knowledge questions against the clock and race down the game board to the exit without being caught.
