Something for fans of Quadrophenia…
Celebrity Antiques Road Trip: BBC Two: Wednesday 22nd January: 7pm
Leslie Ash v Phil Daniels. Series 13, episode 6. Actors, life-long friends and stars of the classic mods and rockers cult movie Quadrophenia, Leslie Ash and Phil Daniels are together again on Lincolnshire’s roads in a pink Cadillac. They are shopping with guidance from Phil Serrell and Serhat Ahmet.
It’s the first Toyah At Home of the new year, and Toyah is gearing up for an exciting year ahead.
There’s news of forthcoming Picture Discs of the classic albums Sheep Farming and The Blue Meaning, out on 21 March plus some rare footage.
The release of I Believe In Father Christmas on 10″ vinyl single in December gave Toyah yet another Official Charts entry – Following many of the reissued deluxe albums since 2020, Posh Pop giving Toyah her highest ever charting solo album (so far!), and the Rebel Run 10″ hitting No. 1 on the Official Vinyl Singles chart in late September 2024 – I Believe In Father Christmas entered the same chart at No. 9 on 13th December!
After four years of a series of charting and well-received album catalogue reissues in expanded and collectible form, Toyah and Cherry Red Records is delighted to announce there are further surprises in store for next year.
On 21 March 2025, Cherry Red Records will release two strictly limited edition picture discs of the 1980 Toyah albums Sheep Faming In Barnet and The Blue Meaning, marking each album’s 45th anniversary.
Both of the album picture discs feature rare and unseen imagery unearthed by Toyah’s archivist, and are pressed with the 2020 album remaster by Nick Watson, overseen by Joel Bogen. The vinyl records come protected in a PVC sleeve which is housed in a special die-cut outer jacket that carries a further unseen images to create a spectacular collector’s item celebrating the album’s original music and imagery.
Both albums can be pre-ordered ahead of their March 2025 release.
• Continue reading at toyahwillcox.com. Pre-order both vinyls at Cherry Red Records.
Toyah’s 1980 studio album, The Blue Meaning, will be released on limited edition picture disc on 21st March, marking the album’s 45th anniversary.
• 45th anniversary release of Toyah’s 1980 album ‘The Blue Meaning’.
• Limited-edition picture disc features four stunning colour photographs from the album photography shot at gothic mansion, Wykehurst Place in Sussex.
• In addition to the full colour picture disc, pressed with the 2021 album remaster by Nick Watson, the vinyl come protected in a PVC sleeve and is housed in a special die-cut outer jacket that carries a further rare and unseen images unearthed from the archives.
Produced by Steve James and ‘Toyah’ the band – Joel Bogen, Pete Bush, Toyah Willcox, Steve Bray and Charlie Francis, the album reached number 1 on the UK Independent Album Chart and charted in the main UK Top 40 album chart in June 1980.
The album includes the ultimate fan favourite ‘Ieya’ considered a signature song by the band, which was also released as a single. It also includes ‘Blue Meanings’, ‘Mummies’ and the psychedelic ‘Spaced Walking’ for which Toyah’s vocals were recorded after inhaling helium.
• See further details/tracklist and artwork at toyahwillcox.com. Pre-order the release at Cherry Red Records.
Toyah’s 1979 AP, which evolved into the 1980 album, Sheep Farming In Barnet, will be reissued on limited edition picture disc on 21st March, marking the album’s 45th anniversary.
• 45th anniversary release of Toyah’s 1980 album ‘Sheep Farming In Barnet’.
• Limited-edition picture disc featuring four stunning unseen colour photographs from the album photography shot at RAF Fylingdales in West Yorkshire. The photos picture Toyah in front of the iconic white “golf balls” that were part of the early warning system for ballistic missiles to the UK and US governments.
• Pressed with the 2020 album remaster by Nick Watson, the vinyl comes protected in a PVC sleeve and is housed in a special die-cut outer jacket that carries a further two unseen images unearthed from the archives.
• Produced by Steve James and Keith Hale, the album reached number 1 on the UK Independent Albums Chart in February 1980.
The six-track mini-album ‘Sheep Farming In Barnet’ contained three tracks per-side on a 33 1/3 playing 7” vinyl. This mini- album was then expanded to a full length 11-track album (originally for the German market only) in early 1980 by adding the ‘Victims’ 7” A-Side/B-Sides and some further tracks also recorded at Chappell Studios, London.
This album contains the fan favourites ‘Race Through Space’ ‘Neon Womb’ and ‘Danced’, all of which went on to become signature songs for the band.
• See further details/tracklist and artwork at toyahwillcox.com. Pre-order the release at Cherry Red Records.
Toyah Willcox reveals ‘main focus in life’ – and it isn’t husband Robert Fripp
Singer Toyah Willcox says she loved every moment of her recent appearance on Strictly. Now, she’s looking forward to joining Craig Revel Horwood’s 1980s musical and releasing a new album
Anyone who witnessed her spirited jive to Nutbush City Limits on the last series of Strictly Come Dancing would know that singer Toyah Willcox is not short on energy. And a quick glance at her schedule for 2025 would suggest she has no plans to slow down.
She will join the cast of NOW That’s What I Call A Musical next month, there’s a new album in the offing and if that wasn’t enough, she recently bought an old 1890s industrial water mill on the River Avon, which she is renovating and restoring back to its original structure.
“I love it,” she enthuses. “I spent all day yesterday removing trees that washed up in the floods; it’s a really physical project.
“I’ve always got something on the go. Anyone that sits still can’t bear being with me. I adore working and I always will. My main focus in life is my work. I think if I didn’t work, the boredom would eat me alive.”
• Continue reading at The Express.
This website is rollercoasting towards its 26th year online in March, and I’d like to wish all our visitors a very Happy New Year and all the best for 2025! This month – December 2024 – has been our busiest in over three years, since back in September 2021 when Posh Pop was released.
Favourite Singers With Nick Heyward: NOW 80s: Sunday 5th January: 7pm
Mr Favourite Shirts is back on NOW 80s – this time he selects his Favourite Singers! Including some who influenced him the most such as David Byrne & XTC’s Andy Partridge.
Toyah & Robert wished everyone a Happy New Year on Instagram, X/Twitter and Facebook earlier today. Click below to watch. (Image © Toyah Willcox)
Toyah’s Sack The Stylist?! Top 30: NOW 80s: Saturday 4th January: 7am
Pop legend Toyah brings 30 memorable videos featuring a cavalcade of clothing calamities from superstars including Visage, Five Star, Divine, Cher, The Jam, Bananarama, Dead Or Alive, Bucks Fizz, ABC, Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Madonna, Adam & The Ants, A Flock Of Seagulls, Roxy Music, Kajagoogoo, Duran Duran, Grace Jones, Su Pollard, Toyah herself and more in this crazy countdown! See the full Toyah’s Sack The Stylist?! Top 30 playlist here.
“Well, I’ve been taking an affectionate look at fellow pop stars and their styles so I had to balance things out with that. My hair, make-up and outfit on Thunder In The Mountains was pretty crazy. But I loved it!”
Toyah & Robert wished everyone a Merry Christmas on Christmas Eve at Instagram, X/Twitter and Facebook. Click below to watch. (Image © Toyah Willcox)
One more sleep till Christmas! This has been Dreamscape’s 25th year celebrating Christmas online… Wishing everyone who has visited this website over the last 12 months a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year… Joyeux Noël, Frohe Weihnachten, God Jul, Feliz Navidad, Buon Natale, Feliz Natal, Vrolijk Kerstfeest.
Last year I designed an oversized Toyah card for Christmas, and as I’m known to repeat myself, here’s one for this year too…
We’ve reached the final day of our countdown to Christmas for 2024. Browse it all here. I’ve really enjoyed reminiscing about past Decembers this year, and here’s one final festive memory…
Christmas 2016, Toyah attended a ceremony and was inducted into the Birmingham Walk Of Stars.
Toyah said: “I am thrilled to be receiving a star on the Birmingham Walk of Stars. Having spent my childhood and teenage years in this great city, I developed my love of music and theatre here, thanks to all the great music venues and theatres available within the one city.“
• See news on Toyah attending the Birmingham Walk Of Stars event here and here. (Photo © Express & Star)
Christmas 2022, Toyah announced the release of a special 10” cherry red coloured vinyl EP commemorating the classic 1982 single Brave New World. To be released in March 2023, and limited to 500 copies only.
This became the first in a series of 10″ single releases by Toyah, with Rebel Run, and I Believe In Father Christmas also receiving limited edition releases on the format in 2024.
The EP contained four tracks, all previously unreleased versions, including the long-awaited Dawn Chorus (6.55 Special Mix). The release was part of Cherry Red Records’ special ‘45s at 45’ vinyl series marking the 45th Anniversary of the label.
The Tracklist: Side One: 1. Brave New World (Razzmatazz Mix). 2. Street Creature (Razzmatazz Mix) | Side Two: 1. Dawn Chorus (6.55 Special Version), 2. Ieya 1982 (Edited Version)
A review, by Yorkshire Times, of last night’s closing Christmas Party Tour gig, at Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.
Toyah And Robert Fripp Impressive Musical Legacies
Toyah and Robert Fripp boast their own impressive musical legacies; however, as a result of a lockdown silly video, the married couple saw their personal partnership thrust into the viral domain. Alongside the likes of Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Joe Wicks, they became an escapist treat during one of the toughest periods the world has known in recent years.
Their sheer zest for life and laughter puts smiles on faces around the world, and their popularity has only increased in the aftermath. While Toyah made a fleeting appearance on Strictly earlier this year, the duo have enjoyed two Glastonbury appearances in subsequent years and even joined Billy Idol on tour. As the holiday season approaches, they have embarked on a short UK tour to unite their devoted fan base for a memorable sing-along.
• Continue reading at the Yorkshire Times.
Christmas 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984. In the early eighties Toyah’s Official Fanclub – Intergalactic Ranch House – sent out Christmas cards to subscribing members each December, with Toyah taking the time to sign each and every card, which numbered around 6,000 at the height of the fanclub’s popularity.
This tradition was carried on for an extra year, in 1984, when the Intergalactic Ranch House became simply the Toyah Fanclub following Toyah leaving Safari Records after five years and signing to CBS/Portrait Records.
All four cards featured photos of Toyah, showcasing great early eighties imagery and creating a unique set of fanclub memorabilia that became collector’s items. Here’s a snapshot of a feature on the Christmas cards from an issue of Dreamscape’s fanzine.
