Toni Basil--Mickey (1982)

     By 1980, Antonia Basilotta, better known as Toni Basil, had enjoyed a successful career as a   choreographer and actress. Her work could be seen on film (The T.A.MI. show, 1964), on television (Shindig 1966) and then later doing work on tours for David Bowie and Bette Midler among others.  Much of work was on B-films in the late 60's and 70's, but can be seen in the movies, "Easy Rider", and "Five Easy Pieces"
     She recorded her first single in 1966, "Breakaway", but had not recorded since then. She heard a song called, "Kitty" which was performed by the UK group Racey in 1979. It had been written by the songwriting duo of Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn, but Basil took the changed the direction of the song by renaming it "Mickey", after former Monkees drummer Mickey Dolenz who she had taking a liking to after working with the group on their movie "Head" in 1968.
     The song went to #1 in the US in 1982 on the strength of the video which she choreographed and danced in herself. She had a couple of minor chart hits after that, but he career in videos, concert tours, and television continued to rise as she continues to be very much in demand today. However, for many of us, we'll still remember her in the cheerleader's outfit.....