If you think Toni Basil is just the woman behind the catchy hit “Mickey,” think again. By the time “Mickey” hit the top of the charts in the U.S. in December 1982, Basil was already a seasoned pro in the entertainment world.
Her journey began long before “Mickey.” In the 1964 film Viva Las Vegas, when Elvis Presley points out the girl in the red dress, that’s Basil dancing. She appeared in Easy Rider, worked with dance group The Lockers on Soul Train, and collaborated with iconic artists like David Bowie and Tina Turner.
At 82, Basil still has an infectious energy. Speaking from her dance studio in Los Angeles, she attributes her youthful spirit to dancing. “Dance is my drug of choice,” she says. “It gives you a high and a sense of community.”
Basil’s pop career took off thanks to a British label that saw potential in her song “Word of Mouth.” She pushed her record company to let her record “Mickey,” arguing that cheerleader chants were about to become a trend. Intriguingly, a couple of BBC producers noticed her earlier music videos, which led to her own special, and subsequently, her chart-topping hit.
Dance has always been in her blood. Growing up in a family of performers, she was practically born into showbiz. “I saw legendary performers every weekend,” she recalls, highlighting her rich artistic background.
In the vibrant 60s and 70s, Basil thrived, gaining fame for her dance moves. She even stepped in to teach Elvis Presley some dance steps when she was just 20. For her, being around legends felt natural.
Although she brushed shoulders with counterculture figures like Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson, Basil chose to stay clear of the drug scene. “Pot just made me paranoid,” she admitted. Instead, she focused on evolving her dance style. In the mid-70s, she joined the innovative dance group The Lockers, introducing new styles that would lay the groundwork for today’s hip-hop dance.
Basil’s creativity didn’t stop at performance; she branched into choreography. Notably, she collaborated with Bowie for his Diamond Dogs tour and helped Turner reimagine her performances after her turbulent marriage. Here, she was struck by Turner’s talent, often trying to take notes but unable to tear her eyes away from the performance.
In a world increasingly defined by video content, Basil’s pre-MTV music videos showcased her innovative spirit. She directed memorable clips for bands like Talking Heads, shaping musicians’ on-screen personas and dance moves.
Today, you can still hear “Mickey” echo through pop culture in songs by artists like Gwen Stefani and Taylor Swift. Basil may not have topped charts with her follow-up singles, but she sees her time in pop music as part of a larger journey. “It was like a train ride,” she says. “You keep up with the trends and keep moving.”
Basil continues to teach and inspire young dancers around the globe, reminding them that the art of dance is alive and ever-changing.
