Toyah Wilcox
One of the more talented individuals to have risen under the banner of punk, Toyah (b. Toyah Ann Wilcox, 18 May 1958, Kings Heath, Birmingham, England) roamed with the gangs of Birmingham before channelling her energy into Birmingham Old Rep Drama School. She later worked as a mime artist at the Ballet Rambert before getting her first professional acting role in the BBC television play GLITTER with Noel Edmonds and Phil Daniels, in which she sang with the band Bilbo Baggins. Her next major role was as Emma in TALES FROM THE VIENNA WOOD. Actor Ian Charleston then took her to tea with film maker Derek Jarman who offered her the part of Mad in JUBILEE. It was here she met Adam Ant and for a time the pair, plus Eve Goddard, formed a band called the Man Eaters. However, the clash of egos ensured that the band was shortlived. While acting in Vienna they formed their first group with Peter Bush (keyboards), Steve Bray (drums, ex-Boyfriends) and Mark Henry (bass). Toyah then appeared in the film THE CORN IS GREEN with Katharine Kepburn, and played Monkey in QUADROPHENIA. The band was signed to Safari in 1979 and released Victims Of The Riddle. In August, Charlie Francis (ex-Patrick Fitzgerald group) replaced Henry. Toyah's extravagant vocal style and arresting lyrical subject matter were particularly evident on the powerful Bird In Flight. While she was appearing in QUATERMASS the band started recording the SHEEP FARMING IN BARNET mini-album. 1979 was one of Toyah's busiest years as she also hosted the LOOK! HEAR! television series for BBC Midland, had a bit part in SHOESTRING, and made several other acting appearances. She was considered for the leading role in BREAKING GLASS, but it was eventually offered to Hazel O'Connor. Further singles followed the release of BLUE MEANING, before Toyah was rewarded with the success of the FOUR FROM TOYAH EP in 1981. Of the offerings, the repetitive lisp of Its A Mystery carved out her identity with both public and press. Her first UK Top 10 hit, I Want To Be Free came across as a petulant nursery anthem, but was attractive enough to appeal to a nation's teenagers. 1981 ended with Toyah's biggest hit, the exuberant Thunder In The Mountains, which peaked at number 4. The following year, she also charted with the startling, hypnotic Ieya and the raucous Be Loud Be Proud (Be Heard). Bogan remained by her side musically but subsequent albums were recorded using session musicians instead of the band. Further acting roles came with the movie THE TEMPEST and the stage play TRAFFORD TANZI. She became a Buddhist, married guitarist Robert Fripp and later recorded with him. She stayed with Safari until MINX, after which she went to Epic and then EG. Her last major hit was with a cover of Echo Beach in 1987. In Autumn 1991 she was appearing with Tim Piggott-Smith in Peter Shaffer's AMADEUS OF BRADFORD.