Toni Basil, globally recognized for her 1982 smash hit "Mickey," boasts an astonishing career that spans over eight decades in entertainment, far beyond her pop stardom. From dancing with Elvis and appearing in "Easy Rider" to pioneering street dance with The Lockers and choreographing for legends like David Bowie, Tina Turner, and Talking Heads, Basil's influence on music, film, and dance is immense. Now 82, she remains vibrant, attributing her eternal youth to a lifelong dedication to dance.
Toni Basil's illustrious career began decades before her iconic 1982 hit "Mickey," establishing her as a multifaceted force in entertainment. By the time "Mickey" topped charts, she had already appeared in films like "Viva Las Vegas" (dancing with Elvis Presley) and "Easy Rider," and was a founding member of the groundbreaking pre-hip-hop street dance troupe, The Lockers. Her extensive collaborations include choreographing for David Bowie's Diamond Dogs tour, Tina Turner's solo career, and directing music videos for Talking Heads. Now 82, Basil maintains a remarkably youthful appearance and sharp memory, crediting her lifelong passion for dance as her "drug of choice." Her pop career, specifically "Mickey," was serendipitously launched in the UK after BBC producers discovered her self-directed music videos, leading to a TV special and the single's global success. Born into a vaudevillian and orchestra-leader family, Basil was immersed in showbiz from childhood, witnessing performances by Josephine Baker, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra. This upbringing prepared her for early roles teaching Elvis dance steps and choreographing the T.A.M.I Show, unfazed by the era's biggest stars. She transitioned into the counterculture scene, appearing in films like "Head" and "Five Easy Pieces," and forming creative bonds with figures like Dennis Hopper, though she largely avoided the prevalent drug scene. Basil's innovative spirit led her to form The Lockers in the mid-70s, a group that popularized the "locking" dance style and toured with diverse acts from Frank Sinatra to Funkadelic, fundamentally changing how street dance was perceived. Her choreography prowess extended to films like "American Graffiti," "Legally Blonde," and Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood," where she taught 60s moves to Margot Robbie and Leonardo DiCaprio. While never married, Basil acknowledges deep, creative, and sometimes sexual relationships with collaborators like David Bowie, Jerry Casale, and David Byrne, prioritizing the artistic connection. Today, she lives in Los Angeles with her cats, continuing to teach dance, judge competitions, and witness "Mickey" endure as a cultural anthem, sampled by artists like Taylor Swift and Blackpink. She views her fleeting pop stardom as merely a "train ride," always evolving with dance styles and music.
