Toni Basil is 81 today
She became worldwide famous with the catchy Pop tune “Mickey” in 1982
Toni Basil is 81 today
Toni Basil is celebrating her 80th birthday today. Born Antonia Christina Basilotta on September 22, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S, she is a singer-songwriter, actress, filmmaker, film director, choreographer, and dancer, best known for her multi-million selling worldwide No. 1 smash hit “Mickey” from 1982, a cover of Racey’s 1979 song “Kitty.” Although ‘Mickey’ is probably Toni Basil’s most well-known career move, this song is just grazing the surface. After the success of “Mickey,” Basil would go on to direct videos for the Talking Heads, choreograph tours for David Bowie and bring street dance to the public back in the day. She still finds time to bust out some dance routines for acts like Tina Turner and Bette Midler. Basil directed and choreographed Turner’s 50th-anniversary tour, and also Midler’s Vegas show ‘The Showgirl Must Go On,’ both ran from 2008 – 2009. Basil started off in the 1969 cult movie “Easy Rider” and 1970 “Five Easy Pieces.” Some of her other films are “The Last Movie” directed by Dennis Hopper, “Greaser’s Palace” directed by Robert Downey, Sr., “Mother,” “Rockula” with Thomas Dolby and “Slaughterhouse Rock.” On TV, she has appeared in episodes of “Laverne and Shirley.” “Dark Justice” and in “Baywatch Nights” as a fortune teller.
By Ken Warren, 2017/18
Watch the iconic 1982 music video of “Mickey” by Toni Basil
Watch more 1980’s related videos
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