An excellent new interview with Toyah, from the latest issue of Worcestershire Living magazine.
How did Toyah Willcox transform herself from the original Punk Princess to Proud Resident of Pershore? Deirdre Shields finds out.
There is something very endearing about Toyah Willcox. She is one in a long tradition of creative – sometimes downright cussed – free spirits, who mellow into a kind of national treasure with the passing years. Say what you like about Toyah, you could never pigeon-hole her. She is the original wild child Punk Princess, credited with starting the Goth movement, who voiced Teletubbies, champions the National Trust, and is a staunch supporter of her local community in Pershore.
Being Toyah, she challenges the word ‘mellow’. ‘I don’t think I’m mellowing,’ she says, ‘though I do find things that freaked me out in the past don’t bother me anymore. I’m working harder than ever.’ She certainly is. She is about to embark on a spring tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her albums The Changeling, and Warrior Rock. The tour is billed as a treat for ‘Toyah diehards, 1980’s fans, and Goth’rock lovers.’
• Continue reading at Worcestershire Living.
A really good friend reminded me yesterday about the history of Dreamscape, the reason why it was started, all the hard work, vast content (much of which has been lifted wholesale and plonked into a variety of Facebook profiles with zero credit back to toyah.net :)) and dedication. What began as a horrible, negative, stressful day ended on a completely different note. I could write a book (Chapter 2007: Annus Horribilis) about my experiences of running these sites, and the (in)famous forum. Don’t worry, I won’t. I never sat on my laurels that’s for sure. It’s great that some who visited the site on its first day still visit so many years later. Dreamscape always was (and is) for, and about, Toyah and the true fans…
Fantabulous shots of Toyah from last night’s final ‘Changeling Resurrection’ gig in Bishop’s Stortford. These have been added to the TCR gallery. (Huge thanks to Angus Turner)
Two more rare-ish photos of Toyah. These are from 1980 and were taken during the filming of, and as publicity for, the ATV documentary TOYAH. Please click on each to view a larger version. (Thanks again to the incredibly generous Andi)
Apologies for my previous post. This is probably not the best place to let off that sort of steam. I’ve removed it.
I have a couple of anniversary posts for tonight, but I thought I’d start with this one, which is of no real relevance to anyone but me. Sorry!
Tonight, Toyah is playing down the road (10 minutes walk) in Bishops Stortford. The occasion is ‘The Changeling The Resurrection 2012 – Celebrating The 30th Anniversary of The Changeling and Warrior Rock (Toyah On Tour)’
This made me smile, seeing Toyah was one of my first gigs. Brighton Centre 29th June 1982. This was the original Changeling tour.
I loved ‘Anthem’ at the time, but even moreso the more punky ‘Sheep Farming In Barnet’, but this was my first opportunity to see the band. I was 13 and a bit wee!
• Continue reading at Aural Sculptors (The Stranglers Live Archive).
The free PDF magazine “The Mick”, from Mick Mercer, this month contains his review of ‘I Was A Teenage Toyah Fan’ as well as over 100 pages of music reviews and ruminations from 2011… Well worth a download.
(News Source: I Was A Teenage Toyah Fan Facebook)
• View all of FTE’s ‘I Was A Teenage Toyah Fan’ news.
Just a reminder that Episode 1 of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, with Toyah in the title role, airs today and early tomorrow on ‘BBC Radio 4 Extra’.
Listen online at the station’s website, ar later at BBC iPlayer. Each episode will be available for one week.
J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Sunday 6th May: 9.00am/4.30pm
J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Monday 7th May: 5.00am
Away to Neverland. A strange visitor transforms the Darling household one bedtime. Stars Toyah Willcox, Ron Moody and June Whitfield. Episode 1 of 4.
It’s the final gig of ‘The Changeling Resurrection’ tour tonight (I know I’ve mentioned that already!) Thanks again to everyone who generously contributed great photos from various dates of the tour. The dedicated gallery includes a fine mix of onstage, offstage and fan photos from each of the gigs. Please click below to browse, and while you’re there do look at the other gallery pages, there are thousands of photos, from throughout Toyah’s career…
It’s the final date of the short, but very successful, ‘Changeling Resurrection’ tour tonight. Toyah headlines ‘Stortfest 2012’ with a final gig at Rhodes Arts Complex, Bishop’s Stortford. It’s set to be a great night.
• Toyah’s German TV performances of ‘I Want To Be Free’ and ‘It’s A Mystery’ are included on the 2010 DVD The Story Of MusikLaden, (No. 3: 1981 – 1984). The huge 10-disc collection features 100’s of performances from numerous new wavers and Eighties bands, including OMD, Hazel O’Connor, Visage, Adam & The Ants and Kim Wilde. Toyah’s aired on the long-running music show on 10th September 1981 (IWTBF) and 11th March 1982 (IAM).
• Official footage from ‘The Changeling Resurrection’ Bush Hall, London gig – ‘Voodoo Doll’. Watch at You Tube.
• View 135 photos of Toyah at The Robin2, Wolverhampton. Posted by ‘Midlands Live’ at Facebook.
• Toyah is mentioned in a Female First article on Stereo Influence. Their new single ‘Edgar Allan Poe’ is produced by Mike Bennet, also the producer of ‘Dreamchild’.
Stortfest 2012: A week of events with something for everyone around Bishop’s Stortford.
The week of music and events has been a big success in Bishop’s Stortford with lots of great feedback and a brilliant response to the festival.
Tonight ‘The Changeling Resurrection 2012’ headlines the festival, with Toyah playing the final date of the tour on the final night of the festival. The gig takes place at Rhodes Arts Complex in Bishop’s Stortford.
Not to be missed: Buy tickets online or call 01279 651746.
Minder: ITV4: Thursday 17th May: 8.00am/8.00pm
Minder: ITV4 +1: Thursday 17th May: 9.00am/9.00pm
All Mod Cons. Drama series about the shady dealings of a spiv and his reluctant sidekick. While Terry is trying to evict two squatters, Arthur decides to sell Terry’s flat without his permission. Meanwhile, Terry gets a job minding at a local club and ends up getting into more trouble than he had planned for when he realises the club’s manager is on the fiddle. Starring: George Cole, Dennis Waterman, Toyah Willcox, Simon Cadell, James Ottaway, and Tony Osaba. (Series 2, Episode 8, 1980). Also showing on ITV4 HD.
Celebrity Fantasy Homes: BBC Lifestyle (Sweden): Friday 18th May: 11.25am
The original punk girl has set her heart on moving to the Richmond area.
Two more great photos of Toyah in Manchester last Monday, before ‘The Changeling Resurrection’ gig at The Ruby Lounge, and at The Robin2, Wolverhampton last Saturday. Click on each for larger versions and visit the gallery for more. (Thanks to Michael O’Brien)
The ‘Let’s Rock The Moor 2012’ website has been given a colourful 80stastic makeover! Toyah plays “The Family Friendly 80’s Festival” in Cookham, Berkshire a week tomorrow.
• I’ve (or should I say Falling To Earth has) taken the leap to Twitter. Not sure why. Except that I wanted to follow @toyahofficial :)
• The Blitz Kids: Toyah 1980 by Gerard McNamara. A classic live shot from the, legendary, ‘Ieya Tour’.
• Some great live shots of Toyah that the photographer doesn’t seem pleased with!
• Toyah at The Ruby Lounge: Photo #1 and photo #2 (courtesy of Man Alive! at flickr). ShatterJapan.com – new website coming soon.
• The running order for Let’s Rock The Moor (Saturday 12th May): 3.20pm: Nick Heyward, 4.10pm: Toyah, 5pm: Modern Romance, 5.50pm: Boney M, 6.55pm: Heaven 17, 7.55pm: Go West, 8.55pm: Billy Ocean. (Subject to change: Source: Lets Rock The Moor Twitter)
• Why have a mere t-shirt when you can have a Toyah Harrington? Take a look.
• Toyah is mentioned in The Digital Fix review of Doctor Who: Ace Adventures DVD box set. (Someone needs to tell them that “Toyah wigs” are back!)
• The UK Top 40 on the day that ‘Four From Toyah’ entered. Many of those singles bring back many memories… (Thanks to PJ)
In the run up to the final date of the Changeling Resurrection tour at Bishops Stortford, there will be another Amazon promotion involving I Was A Teenage Toyah Fan. The Kindle edition (normally £1.96) will once more be available free from 8.00am on Friday 4 May for 48 hours.
This promotion expires at 8.00am on the morning of Sunday 6 May and is the last occasion on which the Kindle edition will be available for no charge, although as ever the first chapter will remain downloadable gratis on Amazon on a try-before-you-buy basis.
Of course many of you will already have the book by now, but this is an ideal opportunity to spread the word to your Kindle-owning friends!
(News Source: I Was A Teenage Toyah Fan Facebook)
The complete four-part radio version of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, with Toyah in the title role, is re-airing on ‘BBC Radio 4 Extra’ this month. This was originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1995.
A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of J. M. Barrie’s tale of childhood adventure starring Toyah Willcox as Peter Pan and Ron Moody as Captain Hook. These audio editions, especially dramatised for BBC Radio, are of timeless stories that have enchanted generations of readers both young and old.
Also starring Roy Hudd as Smee and June Whitfield as Mrs Darling, this sparkling production is directed by award-winning producer Dirk Maggs, with an original music score and stunning sound effects.
J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Sunday 13th May: 9.00am/4.30pm
J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Monday 14th May: 5.00am
In The Mermaid’s Lagoon. The mischievous boy and the children arrive in Neverland. Stars Toyah Willcox, Ron Moody, Georgina Cates and Roy Hudd. Episode 2 of 4.
Toyah’s May blog is available to read at toyahwillcox.com: “I can honestly say I had no idea that the Changeling was such a popular album!”, Toyah talks the response to ‘The Changeling Resurrection’ tour. There’s also exclusive news on The Humans. Click below to read.
An amazing gallery of ‘Changeling Resurrection’ photos taken at The Robin2, Bilston, Wolverhampton has been added to the PAC Photography website. There are some excellent shots of Toyah, as well as a tenek gallery too.
Toyah played Wolverhampton last Saturday night to a fantastic response. To view the photos click on “View your pictures” and then “Live Music”.
(Thanks again to Paul Crutchley/PAC Photography)
The, excellent, This Is Not Retro also report on the recent announcement of ‘The Changeling Resurrection II’ Autumn tour.
Toyah has announced a second leg of her current ‘Changeling Resurrection’ tour which features a setlist revolving around her classic 1982 album ‘The Changeling’. The new shows will take place between September and November and will finish with a return to Brighton’s Concorde 2, where the tour began, which will feature a special extended set.
