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The Times: Relative Values – Toyah & Robert

January 11th, 2023

A new interview, and photos, with Toyah & Robert published by The Times.

Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp on fidelity and rock’n’roll Sunday lunches

The singer and her guitarist husband on why they’re going on tour at a combined age of 140

The first time I met Robert was in a taxi in 1983 with our managers. I remember being intrigued by this man who was reluctant to talk, which provoked me to ask, “What colour are your underpants?” He brought out the prankster in me.

We didn’t meet again until 1985, when he asked me to make a charity album with him. He proposed within a week and we married on his 40th birthday in May 1986. Robert is an intelligent, deep thinker who’s disciplined in his music, his health routine and how he lives. All of that was perfection for me.

• Continue reading at The Times. (subscription required)

PhilMarriott.Net: An Interview With Nigel Glockler

January 6th, 2023

Phil Marriott spoke with Saxon drummer Nigel Glockler about his time with Toyah in 1981, a hugely successful time for Toyah and her band, during which they released the No.2 album Anthem and hits such as ‘It’s A Mystery’ and ‘Thunder In The Mountains’.

The New York Times: Robert Fripp Lightens Up

September 22nd, 2022

A new interview with Robert Fripp, including mention of Toyah and You Tube/Sunday Lunch

Robert Fripp Lightens Up
No one expected to see the leader of King Crimson dancing in a tutu on YouTube. In a rare interview, the guitarist explains “an entirely different trajectory.”

• Continue reading at The New York Times.

The Guardian: Toyah & Nick Tauber Talk ‘It’s A Mystery’

September 12th, 2022

Toyah and, Anthem – and many other Toyah releases during the Safari Records years – producer, Nick Tauber are interviewed in The Guardian today, discussing It’s A Mystery, from the Four From Toyah EP and the, just reissued in deluxe formats, iconic/legendary/magnificent 1981 album, Anthem.

Toyah on It’s a Mystery: ‘I told Princess Margaret I was a punk rocker. She said “How ridiculous”’

‘There was a vinyl shortage when it was released. Old records had to be sent to the factory to be melted down and pressed. But soon it was selling 75,000 copies a day’

I was a cult punk singer playing sweaty little clubs and getting covered in so much gob that dry cleaners would go: “Yeuch! We’re not touching that!” Then a brilliant PR woman called Judy Totton turned everything around. She put me in every parish magazine in the country that would talk to me. I soon had all these fans who said they discovered me because their parents or grandparents had told them about this punk rocker.

I was making singles that were eight minutes long with reams of lyrics and had never had a hit. When Safari Records played my 1980 single Ieya on rotation in their office, a man apparently appeared at their door with a knife and said: “If you play that song again, I’ll kill you!” I started working with a new producer, Nick Tauber, who said I needed to simplify the message. He was completely right.

• Continue reading at The Guardian.

Blitzed: An Interview with Toyah

September 12th, 2022

Toyah remains an iconic figure across several decades of the UK music scene. Outside of her acting career, she chalked up a series of chart hits as a musician including ‘It’s A Mystery’, ‘I Want To Be Free’ and ‘Thunder In The Mountains’.

More recently, she returned with the album Posh Pop which reached the top 25 in the UK charts. She also enjoys her regular (and popular) Sunday Lunch video shows, alongside husband Robert Fripp.

This October sees Toyah supporting Billy Idol as part of his Roadside tour. Meanwhile, Toyah’s classic 1981 album Anthem is also being reissued this September. Blitzed sat down with Toyah to discuss her busy autumn plans…

You’ve got the Billy Idol tour coming up in October, which is an interesting contrast. You’re both very different, yet at the same time you’re both seasoned travelers from that fervent 80s pop scene.

It’s great and don’t forget punk rock. Billy used to be based in London with Generation X, which is when I met him. We both have 45-year careers, are quite diverse in our individual journeys as musicians and then you’ve got Television performing Marquee Moon.

I think it’s quite a clever line up because I’m only on stage for 7:30 to 8:00 o’clock and I’ve got to fit in 28 albums and 15 hit singles. That’s quite a journey to make, but what all of us have in common on this bill is we started in punk and we’ve both, all of us, evolved into rock. I think it’s quite diverse. I’m not just an 80s icon. I’ve been pretty present, especially in the last few years. I think it’s a very clever mix I hope that I can get in some good punk rock material. Obviously the 80s material, but also the new stuff as well because Posh Pop went to No. 1 in 36 charts, 22 in the main charts on August the 27th last year and I’m certainly going to be including some Posh Pop tracks.

• Continue reading at Blitzed.

Toyah On The Radio: BBCR Scotland – The Afternoon Show

September 7th, 2022

Toyah guested on BBC Radio Scotland’s The Afternoon Show today, talking Slave To The Rhythm and more. Toyah’s interview is now available as a downloadable podcast.

Musician, artist and TV presenter Toyah Willcox chats about returning to music with the release of her brand new single.

• Listen to Toyah’s interview at BBC Sounds.

XS Noize: New Toyah Interview/Podcast

August 26th, 2022

Interview: Toyah Willcox on her Anthem 40th Anniversary tour

In episode #95 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Toyah Willcox. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Toyah Willcox has had eight top 40 singles, released over 20 albums, written two books, appeared in over 40 stage plays and ten feature films, and voiced and presented numerous television shows.

In this interview, Toyah talks about supporting Billy Idol on his UK Arena tour, her Anthem 40th Anniversary tour, Posh Pop, Sunday lunch videos with her husband Robert Fripp, acting and lots more.

• Continue reading at XS Noize.

Toyah On The Radio: WCR FM / BBC Local Radio

August 23rd, 2022

WCR FM: Unchained Music Club
Tuesday 23rd August: 10pm

A show for those tired of run of the mill radio, it’s like that eclectic mixtape you always wished you had made….it just happens to be in the radio every Tuesday. And as a bonus you get some amazing guests dropping by.
Further details on this programme here…

BBC Local Radio: Stereo Underground
Saturday 27th August: 6pm

Featured Artist: Toyah Willcox. Richard Latto brings you music with attitude that defines a zest for life and an alternative spirit.
Further details on this programme here…

Daily Record: Toyah On Refusing To Be ‘Controlled’ By Age

August 22nd, 2022

Toyah Willcox on refusing to be ‘controlled’ by age, and playing Glasgow with Billy Idol

The It’s a Mystery star has found a new audience with her YouTube videos.

Toyah Willcox continues to be audacious in her 60s and refuses to be “controlled by the number” of her age.

In the 80s her anthem I Want To Be Free and her vivid hair colours made her an icon of rebellious youth.

And the punk remains a beacon of individuality at 64, posing in revealing outfits for her Sunday Lunch YouTube sensation with guitarist husband Robert Fripp.

The videos have had 100million views since they started doing them during lockdown in 2020.

Toyah said: “I’m not being controlled by the number of my age. I have a great passion for what I do and I’m continuing it. Age should only be a number.

“I’ve been rocking in this world for 45 years as a career. You don’t just suddenly stop or stop that connection with music.”

• Continue reading at the Daily Record.

Radio: Toyah Guests On BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show

August 17th, 2022

Toyah guested on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show yesterday. The show was guest hosted by Gary Davies.

Gary Davies sits in with Toyah Willcox

Wake up and embrace the day with Gary Davies, who’s sitting-in for Zoe for ‘two whole weeks (…and a day)! Toyah Willcox is on the show this morning, chatting new music and her upcoming UK tour.

• Listen to the show at BBC Sounds for the next four weeks.

Louder Than War: New Toyah Interview

August 16th, 2022

Toyah – Interview With Nigel Carr at Louder Than War

Toyah talks with Nigel Carr at Louder Than War about her Anthem 40th Anniversary tour, Playing Cropedy Festival this week with a surprise appearance by husband Robert Fripp (Thursday 11th August 2022), and supporting Billy Idol on his UK Arena tour alongside Television.

“I helped Franc Roddham out by putting John Lydon through the screentest for Quadrophenia. Lydon was absolutely astonishing. He’s a great actor waiting to be discovered”

Toyah was the face of 1981 with her startling looks, big hair and stadium slaying voice. After 5 years of juggling acting and singing, and after scoring an indie number one, she finally broke through into the mainstream with Four From Toyah, which included the hits, It’s a Mystery and I Want To Be Free. The ensuing album Anthem topped the charts around the world. Here, Nigel speaks with Toyah about her tough start in the music business, her impressive and award winning acting career and her return to the bigtime through the colossally popular Sunday Lunch show on YouTube, the 40th+1 anniversary of Anthem tour and supporting Billy Idol on his The Roadside Tour 2022.

• Continue reading at Louder Than War.

Podcasts: How To be 60 With Kaye Adams

July 29th, 2022

Ep 15: Rebelling with Toyah Willcox

Season 1, Episode 15: This week we’re joined by teenage rebel, Toyah Willcox. The ever-regenerating actress and musician has topped YouTube charts for her Sunday Lunch series with husband Robert, and Kaye & Karen talk to Toyah about her upbringing, finding humour in everything she does, and much more.

You can join Kaye and Karen at the Edinburgh Fringe on 23rd & 24th August at the Gilded Balloon, with lots of special guests. Get your tickets here.

• Listen to Toyah’s interview, on How To be 60 – With Kaye Adams podcast, here.

Podcasts: Women’s Health – Breaking The Taboos

July 28th, 2022

Toyah Willcox on sex In later life, hysterectomies and checking your body

Season 1, Episode. 3: Singer, actor and YouTube sensation Toyah Willcox doesn’t just want to keep living, she wants to feel as full of life as she can for as long as possible.

In this episode, Toyah speaks openly about keeping intimacy alive in later life, and how communication and understanding can help women flourish when it comes to sex, relationships and living life to its full potential.

• Listen to Toyah’s interview, on the Women’s Health – Breaking The Taboos podcast, here.

Magazines: Retropop – Toyah Interview Special

July 7th, 2022

Toyah is interviewed in the new issue of Retropop magazine (August 2022) in a special eight-page feature. Retropop is on sale now. View the full feature here. NB: This interview was originally published on Retropop‘s website in 2021 around the time of the release of Posh Pop. (Thanks to Minna of The Toyah Willcox Interview Archive)

Metro: Age Won’t Change Toyah Willcox

June 24th, 2022

Age won’t change Toyah Willcox: ‘We’ve never stopped being rockers, we are just rockers in a different time and place’

Toyah Willcox says she’s far more than a punk princess

Born out of a lockdown-powered creative burst, Toyah Willcox and musician husband Robert Fripp’s weekly online Sunday Lunch videos have quickly become regular news events.

Cheeky, audacious, entertaining, and even eye-watering, each episode has been attracting hundreds of thousands of views.

But if you think they’re big now, wait till you hear what’s next.

‘We are developing a stage show and a movie is in development as well,’ reveals Toyah, adding that the duo are even considering an album.

‘But once you get into a studio situation you’ve got to rethink everything, and how people will experience that in an album form.

‘It’s not a no, but it takes an awful lot of consideration.’

• Continue reading at the Metro.

The Guardian: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp Look Back

May 30th, 2022

Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp look back: ‘He came from the 60s, having multiple girlfriends at once’

The musicians recreate a photo from their wedding – a day of panic, pasta and paparazzi

Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp are a rock star couple turned lockdown YouTubers. Actor and musician Willcox, 64, rocketed to fame during the punk rock era, appearing in cult movies such as Quadrophenia, before releasing 80s hits such as It’s a Mystery.

Meanwhile, Fripp, 76, is a founding member of King Crimson, and has collaborated with artists including David Bowie and Brian Eno.

Both prolific musicians, they launched the successful Sunday Lunch video series in 2020, in which they cover classic songs in their home in Pershore, Worcestershire.

Toyah: This photograph was taken on our wedding day in 1986, which started off really dull and rainy, but as soon as we got to the church the sun came out. Robert was terrified. I was enjoying it, but very nervous: I had to keep the ceremony secret so photos weren’t leaked to the press. Sadly, the papers got wind and we were chased by paparazzi for two days afterwards. They were banging on the car door, shouting and saying that if we didn’t let them get a picture they were going to print a bad story about us. It wasn’t fun.

• Continue reading at The Guardian.

Toyah Willcox: On Record | In Conversation

May 13th, 2022

Toyah Willcox | On Record | In Conversation
Season 1, Episode 7

Broadcaster Satnam Rana and Journalist Adrian Goldberg present twenty-two conversations with Birmingham musicians, promoters, managers, venue owners and entrepreneurs who have all contributed to local, national, and international music culture. Join us and our special guests for conversations about their lives in music, their connections to the city, and how Birmingham has inspired or influenced them, personally and musically.

Selected dates also feature free live performances from the artists appearing On Record. The first of its kind, On Record is a multi-artist, multi-genre concept album forming a sonic love letter to the city of Birmingham. Produced as part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival, the eleven-track album will be available on a limited vinyl release and across all streaming platforms.

From her early days as a Birmingham punk to the recent internet phenomenon of Toyah and Robert’s Sunday Lunch, Toyah Willcox has become an award-winning rock legend as well as a much-loved actress, and music composer. In this episode Satnam Rana digs deep into Toyah’s enduring career, what influences and drives her. And what a career!

Toyah has amassed thirteen top 40 singles, recorded twenty-five albums, written two books, appeared in over forty stage plays, acted in over twenty feature films, including Derek Jarman’s seminal punk epic, Jubilee, and presented hundreds of TV programmes in her own charismatic, outspoken, and impossible to categorise way. She released Posh Pop, her first solo studio album since 2008, in August 2021.

Listen to Toyah Willcox: On Record | In Conversation.

Round & About: Star Q&A: Toyah Willcox

April 30th, 2022

Musician Toyah Willcox, who turns 64 this month, shares her excitement for a summer of festivals, including Let’s Rock where she is set to star…

Hello! Given the past two years, do you think 2022 could be the most joyous ever?
“2022 will be joyous – the artists have missed the audience and the audience have missed the artists. It’s going to be one big party. Let’s Rock is very special because not only are there back-to-back acts all day who are brilliant and iconic, but also the atmosphere is so friendly and family-orientated. You can look out over an audience and sometimes see three generations of the same family. They are a joyous community with one thing in common – they all love the 1980s! I love performing with the Let’s Rock band (sensationally good musicians). We also get to see the friends we’ve been performing with for decades… for 40 years.”

Q. Are there any other performers you’re looking forward to seeing?
“I always end up on the same plane and same hotel as Chesney Hawkes, all over the world… Somehow fate brings us together and we have a scream. Chesney lives in the States, I live in the UK, but we walk into the same room in the oddest places and say ‘What are you doing here?!”’

• Continue reading at Round & About.

Birmingham Post: Pop Back In Time

April 30th, 2022

Toyah was interviewed this week by the Birmingham Post, in a joint feature with other 80s musicians. Here are a few quotes from the article.

Toyah is part of an all-star Let’s Rock cast of 80s pop artists. Martin Fry and Mark White of ABC. Pauline Black of The Selector. Electro pop pioneers OMD and Level 42’s Mark King.

Flame haired singer Toyah Willcox was a Top Of The Pops regular through the 1980s

“Top Of The Pops was an event, every time,” she says. “It’s a show I used to watch with my family and to actually be on it was an honour.”

“I worked and I worked and I worked and I worked – there was no time for celebration.”

“A hit meant more work and more work; the management kept us going 24/7. The excitement knowing I was at number four in the charts with Four From Toyah/It’s A Mystery was immense. That alone was a celebration. I’d toured five years solidly for that success so, when it came I kept working.”

B:Music: On Record: In Conversation with Toyah Willcox

March 3rd, 2022

Justham Family Room & Jane How Room
On Record: In Conversation with Toyah Willcox
Thursday 05 May 2022 | 7.30pm

About On Record: In Conversation with Toyah Willcox
Steel Pulse bassist Amlak Tafari and broadcaster Satnam Rana present twenty-two conversations with Birmingham musicians, promoters, managers, venue owners and entrepreneurs who have all contributed to local, national, and international music culture. Join us and our special guests for conversations about their lives in music, their connections to the city, and how Birmingham has inspired or influenced them, personally and musically.

Selected dates also feature free live performances from the artists appearing On Record. The first of its kind, On Record is a multi-artist, multi-genre concept album forming a sonic love letter to the city of Birmingham. Produced as part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival, the eleven-track album will be available on a limited vinyl release and across all streaming platforms.

From her early days as a Birmingham punk to the recent internet phenomenon of Toyah and Robert’s Sunday Lunch, Toyah Wilcox has become an award-winning rock legend as well as a much-loved actress, and music composer. In this conversation we’ll dig deep into Toyah’s enduring career, what influences and drives her.

And what a career! Toyah has amassed thirteen top 40 singles, recorded twenty-five albums, written two books, appeared in over forty stage plays, acted in over twenty feature films, including Derek Jarman’s seminal punk epic, Jubilee, and presented hundreds of TV programmes in her own charismatic, outspoken, and impossible to categorise way. She released Posh Pop, her first solo studio album since 2008, in August 2021.

Produced in partnership with B:Music

• Continue reading, and details on booking free tickets for In Conversation with Toyah Willcox, at B:Music. See further info and more events taking place here.

Autumn Voices: Quick & Quirky Questions with Toyah Willcox

February 16th, 2022

Toyah Willcox should really need no introduction to you all – she’s a prodigiously talented singer, composer, writer and actress, as well as the co-creator and host of the hugely entertaining Sunday Lunch videos and Agony Aunts podcast with her husband, Robert Fripp. You can read more about her here.

Tell us 4 important facts about yourself:
I am still a charting recording artist today at 63 years old
I’ve been vegetarian since lockdown and have no regrets
I work hard to be able to afford solitude, ironically considering the last couple of years, and I only write music in silence.
I’m aiming to be a conceptual artist within the next two years.

What is your favourite age that you’ve been so far in life, and why?
I live in the now – the past becomes the barometer of how we expect the present. I don’t reflect on any age; life is a constant journey forwards.

Who is your favourite fictional character or famous person over 60?
Gandalf from Lord of the Rings and Will Ferrell the actor (Autumn Voices think he is in his 50s, but he’s a great choice!)

• Continue reading at Autumn Voices.

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