Toyah Releases a Career-Spanning Greatest Hits Album "Chameleon"
- timcaple
- Aug 13
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 26
A Journey Through Music and Performance
Toyah releases a career-spanning greatest hits album, "Chameleon," on September 5. This collection covers over 45 years of music and includes the first-ever Toyah Blu-Ray. It brings together 12 promo videos, 22 classic BBC appearances, and 6 songs from recent concerts. The promo videos span from ‘I Want To Be Free’ to ‘Roses In Chains.’ The Safari-era promo videos appear in brand new transfers from the original master reels. A special bonus feature is an exclusive extended video of ‘Brave New World,’ with the iconic promo video edited to the full album version. It includes previously unseen footage from the 1982 video shoot, all without any AI processes. If you were growing up during this time, watching performances from "Cheggers Plays Pop," "Something Else," and for the grown-ups of that era, "The Old Grey Whistle Test," this will bring back plenty of memories.
A Musical Journey Sparked by 'The Sound of Music'
I met up with Toyah to talk about her life in music and acting for stage and screen. We began by looking back to the moment in her life when, at the age of 7, she decided that "Fame" was what she needed.
So, at the tender age of seven, Toyah Willcox's life took a pivotal turn. Her mother, a former dancer, introduced her to the world of music and performance through repeated viewings of "The Sound of Music." This iconic film, with its breathtaking opening sequence of Julie Andrews on a mountainside, ignited Toyah's passion for fame and performance.
The Influence of 'The Sound of Music'
Toyah vividly recalls the impact of watching "The Sound of Music" multiple times. The film's opening scene, where Julie Andrews sings amidst the stunning backdrop of the Alps, left an indelible mark on her young mind. Toyah describes this moment as the precursor to rock videos, a visual and musical experience that would shape her artistic vision.
Her love for performing was deeply rooted in her family history. Her mother, who became a professional ballet dancer at the age of 12, passed on her passion for the arts. Toyah believes she inherited this love for singing and acting, a gift that would guide her throughout her career.
"My mother took me to see The Sound of Music about seven times in a row. I can virtually quote frame by frame every bit of that film because of that. But that opening sequence of Julie Andrews running up a mountainside and the helicopter pulling away? That was the beginning of rock videos for me. That was exactly what rock patterns were going to go on and do."
"I love performing. I've always loved performing. I love singing and I love acting. I believe I was born with that. My mother was a dancer. She became professional at the age of 12, during the Second World War. She didn't really learn to write or read, but she learned to be a ballet dancer. She toured until she was 19 when she got married. I think I just inherited that DNA."
Embracing Individuality
Her unique style, characterized by vibrant hair colors and self-made clothes, set her apart in the pre-punk era of Birmingham. This individuality caught the attention of directors and led to her first major role, showcasing the power of authenticity in breaking into the industry.
"It all began, and it was such a stroke of luck because up until 1976, the previous two years, I'd been a hair model. I always stood out. My hair had been every color under the sun. This is pre-punk in Birmingham. I toured the country, lied about my age with a group of hairdressers doing shows in Blackpool, up in Scotland, where I just would walk on stage and show my hair."
"I was also doing extra work at Pebble Mill, and I didn't realise that people were talking about me a lot because I made my own clothes. I stood out. These two brothers, the B-Cat brothers, just could not find an actress young enough and who hadn't had stage school training to play a very rough diamond who breaks into the Top of Pop studios to sing a song. That's the whole premise of the play."
"They heard about me, came up to my drama school in Birmingham to see a dance lesson with all the students, and then the next day invited me down to Wigmore Hall to do an audition with Phil Daniels. I got the part." By the way, the song Toyah sang at that audition was "Life on Mars."
Toyah's journey from a young girl inspired by "The Sound of Music" to a celebrated performer is a testament to the power of early influences. Her story reminds us that inspiration can come from unexpected places and shape our destinies in profound ways. While we used to run for the hills every time "The Sound Of Music" came on our screens, for others, it served as an inspiration for a highly successful career in music, film, TV, and on stage.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Toyah?
The last word is saved for what the future holds for Toyah. The good news for her legions of fans is that there is no end in sight.
Toyah's Rebellion: Defying Age and Cultural Norms
"Age is Just a Number": At 67, Toyah continues to defy the notion that age diminishes one's power. Her vibrant social media presence and ongoing projects are a testament to her belief that age is irrelevant. As she puts it, "I'm a complete person. I'm not an age."
Toyah's rebellion is not just against age but against the very idea that one must conform to societal norms. Her life and career are a celebration of individuality and a reminder that true relevance comes from authenticity and passion. As she continues to inspire, her legacy will undoubtedly live on, proving that age is just a number and rebellion is timeless.
TIM CAPLE: What do you think the teenage punk princess would have thought or said if you could have offered her a look into the future and what you've become today?
TOYAH WILLCOX: I would have enjoyed it more because everything has just been, I have to do this, I have to do this. I am tenacious; I will not let go, I will not let you ignore me. If I knew that I was going to have longevity, I would have enjoyed it more.
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