Profile of Toni Basil on Famous Like Me

Toni Basil (born Antonia Christina Basilotta on September 22, 1943 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a musician, video artist, actress, and choreographer.

Music career

Her recording career began in 1966 with a rare one-off single for A&M Records, the title song from the film Breakaway. Although she appeared three times as musical guest during the first season Saturday Night Live in 1975–76, it wasn't until 1981 that she recorded a follow-up, the hit song "Mickey". The music video for "Mickey" was released in 1982 and was one of the most popular of the early MTV videos. In the video, Basil wore a Las Vegas High School cheerleader uniform, the same school from which she graduated. It should be noted that this song is in fact a cover of "Kitty", a 1980 release by UK band Racey. "Mickey" itself would be covered in a parody by "Weird Al" Yankovic as "Ricky".

Furthermore, she is said to have helped bring street dance to prominence with her breakdancing group, The Lockers.

Acting career

Toni Basil has appeared in movies, such as Easy Rider and Five Easy Pieces, on television (including episodes of Laverne & Shirley and Baywatch), and as a choreographer for movies such as American Graffiti, The Rose, and Legally Blonde, and earlier the Beach Party series produced by AIP. She appeared as a dancer in The Monkees film Head, and in Village of the Giants. She also starred in the cult film, Rockula with Thomas Dolby.

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