Toni Basil, best known for her 1982 cheerleader anthem 'Mickey', has led a remarkable life in show business that spans over 60 years. Now 82, she recalls working with icons such as Elvis Presley, David Bowie, Tina Turner, and Frank Sinatra, among many others. Her career began long before 'Mickey' topped the US charts, including a role as the girl in the red dress in Elvis's 1964 film 'Viva Las Vegas' and a part in the 1969 film 'Easy Rider'.
Basil's dance career also saw her as a member of the pioneering dance troupe the Lockers, showcasing street dance on 'Soul Train' in 1976. She credits her lifelong passion for dance as her secret to staying youthful. 'Dance is my drug of choice. You get high from it, and it gives you community,' she says.
The hit 'Mickey' was initially met with scepticism from her record label, who thought the cheerleader concept would not translate outside the US. However, after two BBC producers saw her promotional films in a Manchester record shop, they invited her to make a special for the BBC, which launched the single in the UK. It later became a number one in Australia and the US.
Basil grew up immersed in show business, with vaudevillian ancestors and an orchestra leader father. She describes her childhood as extremely spoilt, with daily ballet and acting lessons, and nights spent dancing in go-go clubs. Her parents recognised her talent and encouraged her career from a young age.
Despite her brief pop career, Basil's influence and connections in Hollywood are vast. She has worked with directors like Quentin Tarantino, who called her 'the goddess of go-go', and continues to be active in dance and entertainment.
