Biography

Toni Basil

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Toni Basil began her career as a dancer and assistant choreographer, working on such shows as Hullabaloo (1965) choreographed by David Winters. Later, she choreographed the hit film American Graffiti (1973) and also began appearing in films, including the now-classic Easy Rider (1969). After several films, she launched her music career with her first album, "Word of Mouth", in 1981, which was released both as a record and a video, quite an innovation at the time. Culled from that album was a innocent little ditty called "Mickey", which soon became a massive hit all over the world, first in Britain. The song topped the American music charts in December 1982, and the video (directed by Basil, as were all of her others) still receives airplay, today. In 1984, Toni Basil's self-titled follow-up album was released, which included the American Top 40 hit "Over My Head". Although she found future chart success elusive, Basil remained busy appearing in such films as Rockula (1990) and has appeared in a guest shot on Baywatch (1989) in the late 1990s. Her choreographer talents have also been utilized lately by superstars Bette Midler and David Bowie and, in 1998, she choreographed a successful ad for "The Gap".
- IMDb mini biography by: Jonathan Ruskin < FrostedOne@aol.com>

Was head cheerleader at Las Vegas High School and wears her actual varsity uniform from those days in the "Mickey" video.
Was a member of the very first locking group, The Lockers, in the early 1970s. Fred Berry--"Rerun" of What's Happening!! (1976)--was also a member.
Her video for the single "Mickey" was the first to incorporate synchronized dancing. The opening stunt, where a cheerleader jumps through the center of a human pyramid, is now illegal in competition.
Had a hit single in the early '80s with "Mickey".
She choreographed the music video for "Beast of Burden" with Bette Midler and Mick Jagger.

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