DECEMBER 1981
I'M CRAZY ABOUT BUNNIES!
Now I’ve seen her – the hottest rock girl in the world Toyah (Willcox) Compared to this red-headed hurricane other female singers – and some men – look like statues of salt. Toyah is 145 cm of pure fizziness and sex
After the concert Suosikki was granted a special interview with her. An honour that only a few magazines in the world have had. Toyah had a look through the latest issue of Suosikki and liked what she saw. Her message to the readers is “keep going strong!”
Toyah Willcox is a 23 year old multitalented artist who has finally had a breakthrough during this year. The latest album “Anthem” has been well received in Europe (it's currently n:o 2 in the UK) and the gigs have been massively successful
Toyah is also famous as an actress. Her sexiness has been noticeable in films like “Quadrophenia”, “Jubilee”, “The Corn Is Green” and countless TV series including “Shoestring”, in which she plays an uninhibited punk singer. The episode aired in Finland as well. In December Toyah was on a European tour so we got the chance to get to know this ferocious singer
On stage Toyah is like a small red-headed whirlwind. Despite her tiny size she is an entertainer of a great calibre. She is a bundle of speed who does not give her audience a moment’s respite. Toyah has a very talented four peace band which is lead by guitarist Joel Bogen, her musical partner of many years
On the records Toyah’s music is mystic, melodic rock which plays with different themes. Kind of a mix of David Bowie and Kate Bush. On stage the music is a lot more untamed. The drums and the synths create a pulsating platform which Toyah directs with her tight sexy voice
She knows how to control the audience. Dressed in a black mini-skirt (which is just a belt really), black tights and a tiny top Toyah dances around the stage with a wireless microphone. She squats down by the front of the stage to pose, gets up and continues to move quickly around, singing the whole time
The majority of the songs are from “Anthem”. At first the audience sits completely still, not knowing how to react to this devil but then they start to move to the music. During the most famous hit “I Want To Be Free” the fans rush to the front of the stage and sing along. Another conquest for Toyah
The Toyah I meet after the gig is thankfully a bit calmer and very sympathetic. There’s no signs of being a diva but even in normal clothes and makeup she still looks so damn good it hurts
MARKKU: Which one is more important to you – singing or acting?
TOYAH: Both. Otherwise I wouldn’t do both. I’ve loved acting since I was a kid and it’s a part of me. But then I couldn’t live without music either because I can be myself. When I’m acting I’m playing someone else
MARKKU: How did you get interested in acting?
TOYAH: Even in school I made up all sorts of stories and pretended to be whatever just to make my life more interesting. That’s where it all started, I guess
MARKKU: What about music – did you have certain idols?
TOYAH: Of course, many. But above anyone else David Bowie and Marc Bolan. I admire Bowie because he’s like a chameleon. He's always changing his image and music. He’s constantly ahead of his time
MARKKU: Judging by the record covers, stage clothes and makeup image is important to you
TOYAH: It’s very important. I spend an enormous time designing the record covers. One took 24 hours to shoot before I was satisfied with it. Somebody might say it’s dangerous to concentrate so much on the images but we’re a live band
If I was creating these looks only in a studio without people seeing me in real life that might be the case. It’s happened to a lot of bands. The different mystic images are just a part of me
MARKKU: During your gigs you have a habit of going amongst the audience to sit and talk. Isn’t that dangerous for a woman?
TOYAH: Only in England where the audience starts to grope me. But I think it’s fun to get involved with the audience
MARKKU: How do you deal with the troublemakers?
TOYAH: Feel that (Toyah shows me her arm muscles, which feel really hard and trained) I punch them to the floor
MARKKU: When are you thinking of slowing down, maybe getting married and having kids?
TOYAH: Not for years. I think I’m still a kid myself. My biggest love at the moment is bunnies. When I find a suitable place I’m going to start a funny farm. They’re so cute, do the stupidest things, wave their big ears about and eat grass. I’m mad about them
MARKKU: I’ve heard you have your own makeup line?
TOYAH: Yeah, so the kids can imitate me. No, not really. I’ve designed an affordable collection of makeup which is named after me. The idea is also to give the kids tips because I know all the makeup tricks. The makeup is being manufactured in 3 different factories and it’s selling better than in my wildest dreams
Toyah’s career isn’t just a bed of roses. Last spring she fainted during a gig due to overexertion
TOYAH: According to the doctors it was a close call. I might’ve died. I should’ve stopped the tour but carried on to the end with willpower. After that I’ve made sure something like that never happens again
I exercise daily (ballet, jazz dance, gymnastics) and have a good diet. One experience of overexertion was enough. It was horrible. It was as if my heart exploded and I felt the most awful pain. I’ll never forget it
You can read the interview in Finnish below
(click on the image to view a large version)
posted by ©Min2024 at November 07, 2024
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