Christmas 2022 Countdown: Day 16: The Great British Panto

December 20th, 2022

Christmas 2016, saw Toyah Willcox and the Great British Panto take place. The festive event was held at the Victoria & Albert Museum, aka the V&A, London. A fascinating event, with Toyah discussing the history, origins and traditions of pantomime, as well as her own 20-year panto career.

The V&A, in anticipation of the festive event, said: “Toyah Willcox’s career has encompassed chart-hits, novels and roles on stage and screen, from working at the National Theatre to cult-classic Quadrophenia. She is also a celebrated pantomime performer, having spent many a season playing a variety of roles from Principal Boy to Wicked Queen. Join her as part of the V&A’s Christmas Festivities as she celebrates one of her and Britain’s best loved artforms. Toyah will be in conversation with Senior Curator and Pantomime Editor of the British Theatre Guide, Simon Sladen. (Photos © Damon King)

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Sunday Lunch 2023 Rock Party Tour: The Perfect Gift!

December 20th, 2022

Click below to browse the Sunday Lunch 2023 Rock Party Tour dates – touring next September/October. The perfect Christmas gift for any Toyah & Robert/Sunday Lunch fan!

Christmas 2022 Countdown: Day 15: The Old Grey Whistle Test

December 19th, 2022

Christmas 1981, Following an incredible year of huge hit singles, gold-selling album, tours, a multitude of images, hundreds of press interviews and numerous television appearances, Toyah closed her/their sensational 1981 by playing the final date of the Good Morning Universe European Tour, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London on Christmas Eve.

This was Toyah’s third, and final, tour of the year, following the College Tour at the beginning of 1981 and the Anthem Tour in the middle of the year.

The gig was broadcast live on BBC2  – and simultaneously in stereo on BBC Radio 1 – on The Old Grey Whistle Test – introduced by Radio 1/TOGWT legend, Annie Nightingale – as their annual Christmas Eve concert for 1981, in a schedule that also included everything from a festive All Creatures Great & Small, to an episode of Russell Harty At Home.

The band were: Toyah Willcox (Vocals|), Joel Bogen (Guitar), Adrian Lee (Keyboards), Phil Spalding (Bass Guitar, Vocals), Simon Phillips (Drums).

The concert was released on regular VHS (and Limited Edition hardback cover VHS with an Introduction note by Toyah) by BBC Video in 1982.

Toyah was among a small number who received this not inconsiderable accolade during the 1970s/80s golden era of music. Others bands/artists who were gifted The Old Grey Whistle Test festive concert over the years included Elton John (1974), Queen (1975), Rod Stewart (1976), The Kinks (1977), 10CC (1978), Ian Dury & The Blockheads (1980), Elton John (1982), Paul Young (1983).

Toyah would later recall:I spent one Christmas in complete euphoria after doing the Drury Lane Whistle Test. I can remember driving home to Birmingham that night and it was snowing. Everything was just wonderful and I remained on a high after doing that show for about ten days.

Toyah’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane/The Old Grey Whistle Test concert has become an intrinsic and memorable part of Christmas. A legendary event that thousands attended and many millions watched, and remember as such a special moment in Toyah’s career as well as everyone’s Christmas – past, present and, no doubt, future!

Toyah & Robert’s Weekend: At Home/UMOTW/Sunday Lunch + Press

December 19th, 2022

Toyah At Home: Sensational (Posh Redux feat. Robert Fripp)Watch…Robert At Home: Episode 20 – Watch… • Toyah & Robert: Upbeat Moments Of The Week!Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday LunchSensational Magical Sunday Lunch! – Watch…

Press for Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – This week Toyah performs some magic to accompany the new digital single, Sensational (Posh Redux) (Image © Toyah Willcox)

Guitar.Com: Toyah And Robert Fripp Cook Up A ‘Sensational’ Storm This Sunday Lunch: Featuring some eggs and flour in Robert’s upturned hat – Continue…

NME: Watch Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp perform ‘Sensational’ for Sunday Lunch: In the video, Willcox cracks eggs into Fripp’s upturned hat – Continue…

Brooklyn Vegan: Watch Toyah & Robert Fripp celebrate a “Sensational” Christmas – Continue…

Far Out: Watch Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox perform ‘Sensational’ at home: Power couple Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp have issued the latest episode of their ‘Sunday Lunch’ series – Continue…

DGM Live: Toyah & Robert’s Sensational Weekend – Continue…

Christmas 2022 Countdown: Day 14: Re-Joyce (In The Bleak Midwinter)

December 18th, 2022

Christmas 2010, and The Hazel O’Connor Collective, which included Toyah as one of the main vocalists, released the charity single – written by Hazel O’Connor – Re-Joyce (In The Bleak Midwinter). Proceeds from the single went to Myton Hospice in Coventry where Hazel’s mum, Joyce, received care and treatment for cancer.

The track was also released on CD, and alongside the main single mix, some special solo versions were also released digitally, including Toyah’s.

Re-Joyce (In The Bleak Midwinter) by The Hazel O’Connor Collective reached the Top 10 of the Amazon UK Music/Singles chart at Christmas 2010.

NB: Sending Best Wishes to Hazel this Christmas. An update to her Go Fund Me page on 15th December said: “Hazel continues to make good progress and is very grateful for everyone’s good wishes, love and support. Merry Christmas to everyone and here’s hoping next year brings good health and happiness.”

Singles: Sensational (Posh Redux): Watch The Video!

December 18th, 2022

The new ‘Posh Redux’ version of Sensational featuring Robert Fripp on guitar, was released on Friday as a preview digital single to stream and download.

Following her Top 30 hit album Posh Pop and Isle of Wight Festival performance Toyah unveils details of the new ‘Rhythm Deluxe Edition’ of studio album In The Court of The Crimson Queen, presented as a prequel to Posh Pop.

The definitive version of the album now contains Toyah’s unique interpretation of the iconic song Slave To The Rhythm, featuring Robert Fripp on guitar and produced by Simon Darlow, co-writer of the original track. The album also contains three brand new remakes of Sensational, Heal Ourselves and Latex Messiah featuring the Posh Pop Three of Toyah, Simon Darlow and Robert Fripp. Plus exclusively revised artwork and lyrics for the album.

• Watch the video below or at You Tube. Yesterday’s Toyah At Home was a Sensational special, watch here, and today’s Sensational Magical Sunday Lunch, here. Stream/download Sensational (Posh Redux) here.

Christmas 2022 Countdown: Day 13: Fistral Bay Joy!

December 17th, 2022

Just one week until Christmas Eve! Hope you are enjoying Dreamscape’s Christmas Countdown – revisiting lots of festive Toyah memories for our 23rd Christmas online…

Christmas 2018, Toyah tweeted a sensational and joyous photo taken at Fistral Bay in Newquay, Cornwall:

Rocking out the storm at Fistral Bay. A great way to celebrate definitely the best month of the year! (Photo © Toyah Willcox)

Singles: Sensational (Posh Redux) – Stream/Download

December 17th, 2022

Stream or download Toyah’s new single… It’s Sensational!

Toyah on Christmas TV: Britain’s Favourite Christmas Carol

December 17th, 2022

Britain’s Favourite Christmas Carol: Christmas Day: Channel 5: 4.50am
A countdown of the nation’s most beloved carols, as voted for by the British public. A cast of famous faces guide viewers through the results, giving their take on some of the most enduring songs ever written.

Christmas 2022 Countdown: Day 12: Toyah & Messenger @ Liberty

December 16th, 2022

Christmas 1983, and a little, albeit unconventional, festive retail therapy at one of London’s most legendary department stores – Liberty on Regent Street – made the fourth festive season of the 1980s a very memorable one for Toyah fans and viewers of Good Morning Britain on TVAM.

Toyah sporting her late 1983 – most associated with the promotion of The Vow – look, and her Brave New World video co-star Messenger (the beautiful horse), went early Christmas shopping in November…

Pop singer and actress Toyah Willcox has always wanted to do her Christmas shopping on horseback! With a little help from TV-am’s ‘Fantasy Time’, and Liberty London in Regent Street, Toyah rode a white horse called Messenger through the store.

• Watch the full TVAM clip at Toyah’s Official You Tube channel and click below to see larger versions of the screen captures of Toyah and Messenger.

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Toyah At Home: Sensational (Posh Redux feat. Robert Fripp)

December 16th, 2022

Tomorrow’s Toyah At Home brings the premiere of the new single – and accompanying video for – Sensational (Posh Redux). The single features Robert Fripp.

In today’s Toyah At Home episode, Toyah introduces the video to Sensational which receives a new single release in its new remixed version, featuring the Posh Pop Three including Robert Fripp on guitar. Premieres 11am, Saturday 17th December. (Image © Toyah Willcox)

Christmas 2022 Countdown: Day 11: Musical Milestones

December 15th, 2022

Christmas 2012, Toyah guested on Marlow FM’s ‘Musical Milestones’ on The Eclectic Light Show.

She discussed her life and career in relation to music and what it has meant to her, as well as its importance in her life. Toyah also chose six pieces of her favourite music, for significant reasons which she discusses during the programme.

The music choices were by Gustav Holst (Mars, The Planet Suite), Simon & Garfunkel (Bridge Over Troubled Water), T. Rex (Ride A White Swan), David Bowie (Life On Mars), Shakespears Sister (Stay), Muse (Supermassive Black Hole).

“Music embodies your soul, it embodies your physicality, it embodies your thoughts…”

This aired on Christmas Eve that year, and at the time marlow FM didn’t have a Listen Again function so I recorded it and uploaded to Dreamscape a low quality mp3 of the 30-minute special. Click below to listen/download.

Toyah On Christmas TV: Most Shocking Moments In Pop

December 15th, 2022

Most Shocking Moments In Pop: Channel 5: Wednesday 28th December: 11.55pm
Series 1, Episode 4. Tamzin Outhwaite narrates a selection of memorable incidents involving musicians, including Zayn Malik leaving One Direction and Robbie Williams rejoining Take That. There are lessons in etiquette from Grace Jones, the scoop on Beyonce’s sister Solange taking on Jay-Z and the British singing legend who was one of the first to take on the Apartheid regime. With insight from Toyah Willcox, Rick Wakeman, Bez, Dan Hipgrave, Harvey, Jay Aston, Carrie and David Grant and Linda Lewis, with comments from Ralf Little, Matt Richardson, Katie Puckrik, Pat Sharp and Robert Elms.

Christmas 2022 Countdown: Day 10: David Bowie & Starman

December 14th, 2022

Cchristmas2018dhristmas 2012, Toyah guested on Steve Lamacq’s Rock College on BBC Radio 2 as ‘Guest Lecturer’, discussing how absolutely life-changing first discovering David Bowie was for her when growing up in Birmingham in the early 1970s.

Toyah talks about the legendary album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and of first glimpsing, and hearing, Bowie performing Starman on the music programme Lift Off With Ayshea.

“This was a moment that changed my life forever…”

This was such a great audio clip/opinion piece by Toyah it would’ve been a real shame to just let it disappear after its week on iPlayer back in 2012… so here it is! Click below to listen.

Toyah & Robert’s Weekend: At Home/UMOTW/Sunday Lunch + Press

December 14th, 2022

Toyah At Home: I Believe In Father ChristmasWatch…Robert At Home: Episode 19 – Watch… • Toyah & Robert: Upbeat Moments Of The Week!Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday LunchRockin’ Around The Christmas TreeWatch…

Press for Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – This week covering Brenda Lee’s Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Originally recorded in 1958 and currently in the UK Top 10 right now! (Image © Toyah Willcox)

NME: Toyah and Robert Fripp cover festive classic ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’: The couple tackle a holiday classic for the latest in their long string of cover videos – Continue…

Classic Rock/Louder: Can someone please go check that Toyah and Robert Fripp are ok, because honestly, we worry sometimes: Toyah and Robert are at it again, “it” in this instance, involving the use of whipped cream – Continue…

Brooklyn Vegan: Watch Toyah & Robert Fripp cover “Rockin Around The Christmas Tree” – Continue…

Far Out: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp share punk cover of ‘Rockin Around The Christmas Tree’ – Continue…

Brave Words: Robert Fripp & Toyah Perform “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” In New Kitchen Video – Continue…

Ultimate Guitar: Watch: Robert Fripp and Toyah Cover ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ in Time for the Holidays: With whipped cream aplenty – Continue…

Guitar World: Robert Fripp and Toyah get in the festive spirit with this oh-so-ridiculous cover of Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree: The King Crimson man injects some powerchords into the Christmas classic, while Toyah pours shaving cream on his head – Continue…

DGM Live: Toyah & Robert’s Weekend – Continue…

Christmas 2022 Countdown: Day 9: A Fanclub Christmas

December 13th, 2022

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.

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Releases: Sensational (Posh Redux) – New Digital Single

December 13th, 2022

Coming this Friday! Toyah’s new digital single Sensational (Posh Redux) featuring Robert Fripp.

Produced by Simon Darlow, the single is a follow-up to Slave To The Rhythm and previews the forthcoming Rhythm Deluxe Edition of In The Court Of The Crimson Queen.

Christmas 2022 Countdown: Day 8: The Ebony Tower

December 12th, 2022

Christmas 1984, The Ebony Tower, written by John Fowles and originally published in 1974, premiered on ITV on the 9th December.

Toyah filmed the 90-minute television drama, which was produced by Granada TV, in the Dordogne region of France during the Summer of 1983.

She starred alongside Sir Laurence Olivier, Greta Scacchi and Roger Rees. In a 1984 interview, Toyah said of the character she plays: “The girl I play in The Ebony Tower may be called ‘The Freak’, and she may even look like a freak, but deep down she is the sanest person in the story“.

View promo shots from the drama here and here. Read an interview with Toyah, published when The Ebony Tower aired, by Outlook magazine, and another from around the same time, by Cosmopolitan magazine. Read Dreamscape’s 2011 DVD review, and view a couple of our fan adverts. (Thanks to andy for the screen cap below)

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Prog Magazine: Toyah & Robert/Cropredy 2023

December 12th, 2022

10cc, Strawbs, Toyah and Robert Fripp and more for Cropredy 2023

Fairport Convention’s annual Cropredy shindig will take place in Banbury, Oxfordshire August 10-12

10cc have been announced as the Friday night headliners for next year’s Cropredy Festival, which will take place at Cropredy near Banbury on Thursday 10, Friday 11 and Saturday 12 August 2023.

Toyah and Robert Fripp are also set to appear and there will be a farewell UK performance from the Strawbs. Also appearing will be Damian Wilson and Adam Wakeman, Solstice, Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri, Gilbert O’Sullivan and more.

• Continue reading at Prog Magazine.

Christmas 2022 Countdown: Day 7: Toyah At Home

December 11th, 2022

Christmas 2022, Toyah At Home on Saturday 10th December was a festive special – featuring Toyah and Robert – airing at Toyah’s Official You Tube channel and Facebook feed.

Toyah and Robert watched and reacted to Toyah’s performance of, Greg Lake’s wonderful, I Believe In Father Christmas from the tv show Pop Goes Christmas, which originally aired at Christmas 1982 on ITV. The full retro festive clip was also shown at the end of the episode.

In today’s Toyah At Home episode, Toyah reacts to the fantastically festive 1982 performance of the Greg Lake classic I Believe In Father Christmas. Filmed in December 1982, this clip turns 40- this year and features Toyah sporting black contact lenses and accompanied by Joel Bogen and Keith Hale. Happy 40th to this version!

• Watch Saturday’s Toyah At Home by clicking below. (Image © Toyah Willcox)

Photographs: Toyah & Ray in Nottingham

December 11th, 2022

Toyah entertained guests at the NCBC 99th Christmas Party in Nottingham on Friday, talking about her career and more. Here’s a great photo of Toyah with Ray post-event. (Photo © Ray Sears)