My 80s Playlist: Toyah Willcox picks her favourite 80s tunes from Bowie to Kate Bush
80s icon Toyah Willcox made her name not just on the charts but on the screen too.
She first kicked things off in the band Toyah until 1983, before embarking on an impressive solo career, with top 10 singles including I Want To Be Free and Thunder in the Mountains. Toyah also found fame on the big screen as Monkey in 1979’s Quadrophenia, and worked alongside Katharine Hepburn in The Corn is Green.
While at the Top of the Tower at Virgin Radio 80s Plus Toyah sat down with Steve Denyer for My 80s Playlist, and shared the top 80s tunes that made the era.
Just a day or so left to order the latest issues of Dreamscape’s Toyah Fanzine. Two A4 issues. Two glossy A4 prints. Four A6 postcards.
Can be ordered as a two issue/two prints/four postcards bundle, or one issue/one print/two postcards bundle.
These will most likely only happen once a year – two issues/one mailout – slowly building into an A4 fanzine collection celebrating Toyah’s career! Click below for info.
A UK short film, starring Toyah Willcox, written by Louise Monaghan, directed by Lois Norman, produced by Rowena Amos and 9 of Cups Productions ltd in 2023. Music by Robert Fripp. The story of Maureen, a woman alone on a beach facing down her demons as she enters the water.
Guy Garvey – From The Vaults: Sky Arts: Saturday 20th May: 5pm 1981. Series 3, episode 4. The Elbow frontman introduces clips from the TV archives from 1981, featuring performances by New Order, Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, Adam and the Ants, Kirsty MacColl, Kim Wilde and Toyah. Also featured are Elvis Costello & the Attractions, Madness, the Belle Stars, Dave Edmunds with the Stray Cats, and Secret Affair, and there are interviews with the Human League’s Philip Oakey, and Simon Le Bon and John Taylor from Duran Duran.
A slideshow video with the previously unreleased vintage concert performance of the song Urban Tribesmen live in Milan, 15 Dec 1981. This is a bonus track is from the forthcoming live CD+DVD Live At Drury Lane, released on 12 May by Cherry Red.
• Saturday Morning Song: We Are (1981) from Anthem (Live At Drury Lane performance/2023 Remaster) – Watch… • Robert At Home: May 2023 – Watch… Toyah & Robert: UpBeat Moments – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Bad Reputation – Watch…
• NME: Watch Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp’s Sunday Lunch return with Joan Jett’s ‘Bad Reputation’: The pair are set to take Sunday Lunch on tour later this year – Continue…
• Classic Rock/Louder: Toyah and Robert Fripp are back after month-long hiatus: We are saved! – Continue…
• Consequence: Robert Fripp and Toyah Return with Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation”: After a month-long break, the married couple are back with a fun rendition of the 1980 classic – Continue…
• Brooklyn Vegan: Watch Toyah & Robert Fripp cover Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation” – Continue…
• Yahoo!: Robert Fripp and Toyah Return with Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation” – Continue…
• Far Out: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp’s Sunday Lunch returns with erotic rendition of ‘Bad Reputation’ – Continue…
• Brave Words: Robert Fripp And Toyah Willcox Cover Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation” In New Sunday Lunch Video; Couple Taking Show On The Road In The UK – Continue…
• Official Toyah TikTok: Bad Reputation – Continue…
A vintage concert performance of the song We Are live at Drury Lane, filmed in 1981. This track is from the forthcoming live 2LP and CD+DVD “Live At Drury Lane”, released on 12 May by Cherry Red.
There’s new songs every Saturday morning uploaded to the Toyah channel in the 11am Toyah At Home slot. Remember to catch a new monthly Toyah At Home special at 11am on the first Saturday of each month.
Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs: Channel 5: Friday 12th May: 10pm 1981. Series 1, episode 2. Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, Cheryl Baker and Clare Grogan are among those recalling the music and memories of 1981. It was a year when Bucks Fizz were losing their skirts, Adam and the Ants were re-inventing the pop video, and synthesizer bands were making it big. However, there was still room in the charts for the retro sound of Shakin’ Stevens. Narrated by Tony Blackburn.
Toyah, and Toyah & Robert, are included in the latest issue (#81, May/June 2023) of Classic Pop magazine.
There’s a great, four star, review of the forthcoming Live At Drury Lane CD/DVD and 2LP release, and a mini Sunday Lunch Live – 2023 Rock Party Tour feature. As well as numerous festival appearances this Summer, Sunday Lunch is touring in September and October.
• The latest issue of Classic Pop magazine is available to buy instore and online now. (Thanks to Minna of The Toyah Willcox Interview Archive – sending you a big hug Min, I know it’s been a tough couple of weeks for you!)
Carol Decker’s 30 Rock Chicks!: NOW Rock: Friday 5th May: 10am
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)
Greatest 80s Songs 1982: Channel 5: Sunday 30th April: 11.30pm 1982. Series 1, episode 3. Janice Long recalls the hits of 1982, when ABC, Culture Club, Musical Youth, Tears for Fears, the Stranglers, Kraftwerk, the Jam, Yazoo, and the Goombay Dance Band made their way up the charts. Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, Cheryl Baker and Clare Grogan add their thoughts on the era.
Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs: Channel 5: Saturday 29th April: 10.35pm 1980. Episode 1. Gary Davies narrates this look at the music of 1980, featuring revealing interviews with the singers and band members who made it one of the biggest years in pop. From the Specials and the Jam to Blondie and Bowie, and not forgetting the biggest girl band of the time – the Nolans, it was a year of music and pop videos to remember. Sheena Easton was singing about her man working 9 to 5, Madness stormed the charts with Baggy Trousers and Dexy’s Midnight Runners had a memorable number one with Geno. Contributors include Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini and Katie Puckrik.
Toyah performs an acoustic version of Every Scar Has A Silver Lining (from the album “Velvet Lined Shell”) in an unplugged concert from 2016.
There’s new songs every Saturday morning uploaded to the Toyah channel in the 11am Toyah At Home slot. Remember to catch a new monthly Toyah At Home special at 11am on the first Saturday of each month.
A repeat broadcast of Great Lives later this month, featuring Toyah discussing wonderful Katharine Hepburn. Toyah worked with the inspirational actress, and pioneer, early in her career when both starred in the film, The Corn Is Green, in the very late 1970s.
Great Lives: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Thursday 27th April: 9pm Toyah Willcox on Katharine Hepburn. (Series 37, Episode 9). Singer Toyah Willcox chooses the actress and Hollywood legend, Katherine Hepburn. With Matthew Parris. From 2015.
Dubbed an ‘oddity’ and ‘box office poison’, she liked to goad the press and public with her eccentric behaviour and unconventional love life. Her career in Hollywood spanned six decades, during which she starred alongside other Hollywood greats, including James Stewart, Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart and Spencer Tracy.
The four time Oscar award winning actress Katharine Hepburn is this week’s Great Life. She is championed by singer and actress Toyah Willcox – who met and worked with her. The expert is Dr Mark Glancy – Reader in Film History, at Queen Mary, University of London. The presenter is Matthew Parris. Producer: Perminder Khatkar. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.
My 80s Playlist: Toyah Willcox picks her favourite 80s tunes from Bowie to Kate Bush
Toyah, and Toyah & Robert, are included in the latest issue (#81, May/June 2023) of Classic Pop magazine.
