Toni Willé

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Toni Willé
Colored photograph of Toni Willé standing onstage holding a mike. She has long blonde hair and is wearing a black top and off-white full sleeved top with grey pants.

Toni Wille live in Lingen, Germany 2013, Photographer : Peter Löning
Background information
Birth name Toni Willé
Born (1953-06-26) 26 June 1953
Treebeek, Limburg, Netherlands
Genres Pop, Country
Occupations Singer-songwriter
Years active 1963–present
Labels EMI Bovema
Associated acts Zingende Zusjes (Singing Sisters), The BGs from Holland, Sweet Reaction, Pussycat
Website Toniwilleonline.com
"I'll be your woman" (2001)
I'll Be Your Woman" from 'Hollands Glorie' is Toni's favorite song re recorded in 2001. The original song is from the Pussycat album 'Souvenirs'

"Like a Child" (2006)
"Like A Child" from the album 'Fantastic Stories' was recorded in 2006 is a radio version with a more pop style instrumentation

"Impressions" (2012)
"Impressions" dedicated to Music Composer Werner Theunissen recorded in 2012 has Toni singing in a much fuller voice incorporated with soft ballad instrumentation

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Toni Willé (born Antonia Johanna Cornelia Kowalczyk, 26 June 1953 in Treebeek), is a country pop artist who was also the lead vocalist of former Dutch band Pussycat. She is a striking blonde beauty with a strong, sultry voice and a distinctive gap in her upper front teeth.[1] Toni is the daughter of Marie and Stefan Kowalcyk. Stefan was a Polish miner from Wloszczowa, Poland who came to the Netherlands in 1948 to work in the coal mines after serving in the US Army in Germany.[2]

Childhood

Toni's biological father died from the effects of Hodgkin's disease shortly after her birth. Five years after his death their mother Marie Verheijen married Stefan Kowalczyk, the Polish miner who brought up Toni and her sisters like his own daughters. He was instrumental in promoting their music talents. When Toni, Betty and Marianne were six, seven and eight years old respectively, the family moved to Treebeek in the southeast Netherlands. He bought them each a new guitar and engaged Keuzenkamp as their guitar tutor. With guitars in their hands they performed together during the carnival and other parties as "The Singing Sisters". A few years later, Keuzenkamp introduced the sisters to their new guitar teacher Werner Theunissen, a very young guitarist from the band 'The Entertainers'. It was Werner who got them acquainted with contemporary pop music.[3]

Musical career

The Beat Girls from Holland in 1968
Toni’s career as the lead vocalist of 1970s pop group Pussycat started along with her two older siblings Betty and Marianne Kowalczyk[4] as 'The Singing Sisters' (Zingende Zusjes) in 1963. Their German songs were welcomed by a willing audience, which led them to perform in a larger arena.

When the beat-era came, 'The Singing Sisters' changed their style of music. They introduced a female drummer Tonny Jeroense by name and altered their name into "The BGs or the Beat Girls from Holland", one of the first female groups in the Netherlands. They interpreted the repertoire of the Bee Gees and Motown, characterized by their own excellent close harmony singing.[3]

Using "Sally Lane" as an alias, Toni recorded her first solo single with the song "Let me live my life" backed by another single called "For You". Toni fell in love and married Lou Willé the guitarist from another band, Ricky Rendall and His Centurions, who decided to work with his sisters-in-law. He recruited musicians from a band called Scum, and in 1973 the new ensemble led by their guitar teacher Werner Theunissen was christened for a third time to 'Sweet Reaction'. The new members of 'Sweet Reaction' now included Toni and her 3 sisters along with her husband Lou Willé (guitarist), and Hans Lutjens (drummer). 'Sweet Reaction' released the single “Tell Alain” in the same year[5] on the "Telstar" label owned by Johnny Hoes. It didn't sell well, but it was the first step on the road to big success.

Pussycat

Pussycat group presented with the Conamus Export Award on 5th January 1977
In 1975 EMI Bovema took Toni under contract as the lead singer along with her two sisters as backing vocalists accompanied by Lou Willé (guitarist), Theo Wetzels (bassist), John Theunissen (guitarist), Theo Coumans (drummer from 1975-1978) and later Hans Lutjens (drummer from 1978). With EMI's arranger Eddy Hilberts as their producer, the new name PUSSYCAT was born and by then their first production already went on to be a sensation.[6] Their first hits were all written and composed by songwriter Werner Theunissen.

"The success of 'Mississippi' overwhelmed us. We were more or less knocked out by it, because we never dreamed that the debut was such a strong one. As a matter of fact, we weren't ready for it. Pussycat was a kind of a hobby for us. For instance, I was still working then."

—Toni reminiscing the commotion around their debut in 1994[7]

In the same year (1975), 'Mississippi' shot up to No.1 in the Netherlands.[8] In 1976 it remained for 4 weeks at No.1 in England[9] (UK Singles Chart) and Germany[10][11] and from there all over Europe,[12] Latin America, Australia, Africa and Asia. Four million singles were sold in 1976 alone. It was the most sold record in Germany. In Brazil "Mississippi" stayed for 129 weeks in the charts. It became No.1 in over 30 countries, from Brazil to Australia,[12] from Europe to South-Africa.[12] More than 7 million copies were sold worldwide. On 5 January 1977, 'Pussycat' was awarded with the 'Conamus Export Prize' by the British Ambassador to the Netherlands Sir John Barnes for being the first Dutch Pop Group that had taken on the British charts with their debut song "Mississippi".

The follow-up for "Mississippi" was "Georgie" at No.4 in the Netherlands and "Smile" (also in 1976) even went to No.2. During the following 10 years 6 hit albums and 17 singles were produced, all of them almost equally successful.[13]

1985 - Going Solo

Marianne, Lou, Toni and Betty as the final line up of Pussycat in 1982
In 1981, the group was reduced to only Toni, Betty, Marianne and Toni's husband Lou Willé.

The success continued a few years, but in 1985 the group decided to split.[7]

"Although we started as a hobby, we had to build a professional organization due to the success of "Mississippi". That wasn't so easy, especially when we started touring. We even went to South Africa. But after some time it became increasingly difficult to finance huge tours with that size of a group. During that time it also became popular to work with a tape instead of live musicians. With pain in our heart we left our musicians. By 1984 my sisters wanted to spend more time for themselves and so we all agreed that stopping with Pussycat was the best thing to do"

—Toni recollects when asked about the final years of Pussycat.[7]

For Toni it was a good opportunity to spread her wings and work on a solo-career. Despite the 'Pussycat' image that stuck, Toni decided nevertheless to proceed with country repertoire. She goes on to a very successful solo career covering songs by Chris Rea and Anne Murray on her albums. Three solo albums appeared in the next few years 'Privilege' in 1985 and 'Working Girl' in 1987 and 'New Words to an Old Love Song' in 1989, with songs that were well-chosen, and were sung with Toni's powerful and recognizable voice. These songs were composed with a light pop ballad approach with some country and sometimes with a bit of Spanish influence.

Toni recorded two singles with singer and songwriter Dick Van Altena of Major Dundee Band, 'It turned Out To Be You' in 1990 and 'Raised on Love' in 1995.[14] In 1999 she recorded 'Mama' a single which was included in the Album 'Diverse Artiesten - De Geschiedenis Van De Limburgse Popmuziek 3', a compilation of songs from various Dutch Artists from Limburg.

In 2007, Toni sang "I Wanna Love You" from her newly released album 'Fantastic Stores' as a duet with singer Jess Robin which was aired live at the Slovenian Breakfast TV show.

With her album "Pussycat - The Collection and More" Toni re-recorded the biggest hits of Pussycat with "I'll be your woman" as her favourite along with some new songs, like the ballads "Desperado", "Still on my mind" and her own version of the big Elkie Brooks hit "Pearl's a Singer". With "Pussycat - The Collection and more" she proved once again that she is a unique singer in the Netherlands with an international sound.[15]

Accolades

Toni, whose own solo recordings had commenced back in 1973 with the single "For You" (under the alias Sally Lane), proved especially prolific, unleashing a string of albums in the next few years. "Privilege" in 1985 was followed by "Working Girl" in 1987 and "New Words to an Old Love Song" in 1989 for which the Dutch magazine "Country Gazette" awarded her as "Best female Country Singer of the Year" and the album became the best Country CD of that year. Toni was subsequently given this same accolade in 1990, 1991 and 1992 as well.[1][16]

She sang the theme song "Love in a Heatwave' to the Dutch movie thriller "De Flat" in 1994.[1]

Comeback

In 1995 Toni Willé and her sisters appear together in the 'Single Luck' program where they look back at the success of 'Mississippi'. For this occasion they sing ' Mississippi' once again for the camera. Until then since Pussycat had disbanded, joint singing and playing was limited only to birthdays and family celebrations.

Toni (center) and sisters Betty and Marianne with a fan in Winterswijk, NL in 2001
In 2001, Toni Willé and her sisters Betty and Marianne succumb to a one-time offer for a reunion show of the Pussycat at the Zomerparkfeest in Venlo. They bring all major Pussycat hits to a stubborn crowd of over 30,000 people. The audience go completely through the roof and the Pussycat hype cracks loose once more.

In 2005, they get together again to provide backing vocals to the song 'Somewhere Someone' for the band Major Dundee's album "Young Gods" with whom Toni had previously performed in 1995. She also features in another song with them titled 'You Ain't What You Ain't' from the same album.[14]

In late February 2001 the double CD "25 Years After Mississippi (25 Jaar Na Mississippi)" appears.[17] This CD contains all the hits and best album tracks of Pussycat in chronological order. Following this release the demand for their songs rose and Pussycat did some reunion shows. In March the same year, EMI released on CD all original Pussycat LPs. The CDs are remastered with bonus tracks, including 3 never released before.

Toni Willé in a radio interview programme with Dennis Jones (left) at Radio Nederland Wereldomroep in 2007
In 2004 EMI released "Pussycat - The Complete Collection" on DVD, a box which contains three CDs and a DVD with all the hits plus extra tracks complemented by a booklet of 40 pages which was a true blockbuster.[18] Toni admits to the abundance of requests for the popular Pussycat repertoire. For the Dutch public, it proposed a new show together under the significant title : "Toni Willé - 25 Years After Mississippi". The people eventually get what they want - a show where she performs all the great hits of Pussycat.

In 2007 the sisters comeback yet again to give backing vocals to Dutch singer Dennis Jones reggae cover of his single "Mississippi" which was produced by Kees Tel. Toni and her sisters also featured in a video clip with him in 'The Making of Mississippi' as well as for the cover version of the same song for which they provided backing vocals. In the same year, Toni also met up with Dennis Jones on a radio tour with Radio Nederland Wereldomroep to promote her newly released solo album ‘Fantastic Stories’ as well as "Mississippi" which was Dennis’s first single.

Recordings in 2000s

Toni sang the duet "Oh, How I Miss You" with Dutch singer Benny Neyman and recorded the album "American Duets" with him in the year 2000. In 2004 she sang the duet "Heart Half Empty" with singer Danny Vera.[1]

Toni Willé in recording studio recording her single 'Happy' with songwriter Paul Logister in 2012
She also worked with singer Jo Smeets on a Dutch and English duet mix titled 'Maedjes van 50' (Girls in their Fiftees) which was included in the Dutch album released in 2009 that featured various artists from her native Limburg titled 'Diverse Artiesten - Limburg Allein Deil 3'.

In 2006, she recorded 14 songs to the album ‘Fantastic Stores'[19] and 11 songs to the album ‘Worlds United' in 2009,[20] and a third one in 2012 released as a single called ‘Impressions’[21] dedicated to music composer Werner Theunissen who died on January 18, 2010 in Great Britain as a result of a heart failure.

She recorded an album with Fiji artist Daniel Rae Costello called 'Let the World Sing' and released her Fiji tour live concert album on DVD under the title 'The Golden Memories Tour, Fiji' in 2010. This album contains the song 'Impressions' which was the last song composer Werner Theunissen had written for her.[22]

Toni gave vocals to "Our Love is So Big" which was one of the songs written by Eddy Hilbert for the CD 'Honey come on, Dance with Me' in the year 2011. Eddy Hilbert, the producer for 70s pop band 'Pussycat' recorded the CD under his stage name 'Eddy Holland'. The CD was released in July 2013 on iTunes[23]

In 2012, Toni recorded two singles ‘Happy’ and 'What Love can Do' with songwriter and composer Paul Logister, released in August 2013[24] on iTunes.

Toni Willé at Present

Toni Willé with daughter Kimberly and grand daughter Genyva
Toni Willé with Fijian band 'The Cruzez' in 2010. Photography - Mai Life Magazine
Toni Willé at the Golden Memories Tour Concert, Suva, Fiji (15th July 2010). Photography: Mai LIfe Magazine

Toni lives a very normal and simple life in Brunssum, the Limburg-province next to Germany. When she is not performing in concerts or attending live shows she spends her time with her two children Nick and Kimberly Willé along with her granddaughter Kimberly’s little daughter Genyva. She is also very close to her sisters Betty and Marianne and has coffee with them over the weekends.

Nowadays, Toni Willé often performs with two girls as backing-vocalists or sometimes alone. One of the girls backing her is her beautiful daughter Kimberly. The ultimate mix of Toni's voice along with a volume of Pussycat's popular repertoire make her shows a great experience. Her shows are a real flashback to the '70s with songs that everyone knows. Her audience are overcome by excitement as they sing along with her those familiar numbers.[10]

She is famous all over Europe especially in countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. In Germany she's very successful with both old as well as new hits. 30,000 people watch her in the Hamburg Volksparkstadium, over 20,000 in the Berlin Waldbühne, 20,000 at the Radio Nora Open-air in Bad Segeberg, over 10,000 at open-airs in Leipzig, Dresden & Schwarzenberg and over 5,000 at the Porsche Oldie Night in Stuttgart.[10]

In October 2006, she performed for an audience of over 15,000 people at the Köln Arena in Cologne together with Chris Andrews and Harpo.[1] She also gives concerts in countries like Bulgaria, Slovenia and Greece.[10]

On 15 July 2010 Toni was invited to Fiji to perform at two shows organized by her Fijian friend and artist Daniel Rae Costello and his band, 'The Cruzez'. One at the Vodafone Arena, Suva and the other at the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club, Nadi, Fiji as a part of the 'Golden Memories Tour concert'. Toni entertained her audience with some of her greatest hits from Pussycat such as 'Bad Boy', 'Mississippi', 'Smile', 'Same Old Song' and 'Georgie'. Organiser Daniel Rae Costello and his band, 'The Cruzez', also delivered two of their most memorable hits 'Take Me To The Island' and 'Samba' - which brought fans to their feet.[25]

Toni Willé with George Baker and BZN at Moreleta Park, Pretoria, south Africa in 12th May, 2012. Photo by: Lana Wolf
On 12 May 2012, Toni shared stage with other music legends such as George Baker and BZN in a dazzling and exclusive show "Goue Stemme in Koncert" (Golden Voices in Concert), presented by King Entertainment. The concert took place in the grand theatre of Moreleta Park in Pretoria, south Africa. On stage, Toni was backed by 3 Dutch vocalists Lana Wolf, Pien Schneider and Ewan Mack. Toni felt nostalgia in the air as she sang a medley of the immortal hits of Pussycat for the first time in fifteen years since her last visit. Incidentally, Toni also sang 'Mississippi' in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the hit song that same year.[25]

On the 27th of September 2013, she was invited to South Africa once again to perform for the Clover Aardklop festival at Potchefstroom under the banner Toni Willé and South Afrikaan friends. At the Aardklop Festival, she sang some of her most popular numbers like "Mississippi", "Georgie" and "My Broken Souvenirs" along with Steve Hofmeyr, Nadine and other well known South African singers.[24] On the 5th of October 2013, Toni performed at the Stellenbosch Dorpstraat Restaurant Theatre, Western Cape, South Africa with backing vocals from the South African singers.

Toni also participated in the NDR 1 Niedersachsen Oldie Show at Lower Saxony in North Western Germany in October 2013. The show was held at seven different concert halls of Lower Saxony. Sharing the stage with other legendary oldie bands such as Smokie, Middle of the Road, Tremeloes and the Smashing Picadillys, Toni reproduced her 70s hits one after the other amidst a large cheering crowd.[26]

Today, almost every week Toni is on tour in Germany or the Netherlands where she has proved to be an especially popular singer with both old as well as new hits. She is one of the top-acts of the 1970s at all gala-events, city-festivals, open-airs and oldie-nights. She has the same unique and original Pussycat-voice as in the 1970s presenting all the hits live on stage.[10]




Discography

Album Cover Art for 'Fantastic Stories'
Album Cover Art for 'Worlds United'
Toni Wille at NDR 1 Niedersachsen Oldies, Aurich, Germany (October 2013) Photographer - Micheal Bach
Toni Willé at the NDR 1 Niedersachsen oldies show, Aurich, Germany (Oct 2013) Photographer - Micheal Bach

Albums - Toni Willé

  • Golden Memories Tour, Fiji (2010)
  • Worlds United (2009)
  • Fantastic Stories (2006)
  • Country Duets with Major Dundee (2005)
  • American Duets - Benny Neyman & Willé (2001)
  • New Words to an Old Love Song (1989)
  • Working Girl (1987)
  • Privilège (1985)

Top Singles - Toni Willé[27]

  • Happy (2013)
  • Impressions: dedicated to composer Werner Theunissen (2012)
  • Doin' la Bamba (2012)
  • Mississippi (2012)
  • I Wanna Love You (2012)
  • Dreaming of a Christmas With You (2012)
  • Like a Child (Radio Version) (2012)
  • Can't Get Over You (2012)
  • Fantasy (2013)
  • Never Wanna Lose (2012)
  • I'm Only Dreaming (2012)
  • As Long As You Are Mind (Radio Version) (2012)
  • Time Slips Away (Radio Version) (2012)
  • Good Times (2005)
  • Somewhere Someone / Slow Train - The Major Dundee Band & Toni Willé with Pussycat (2004)
  • Heart Half Empty - Danny Vera & Toni Willé (2003)
  • What If I Say Goodbye - Benny Neyman & Toni Willé (2001)
  • Two Piña Coladas - Benny Neyman & Toni Willé (2001)
  • Oh, How I Miss You Tonight - Benny Neyman & Toni Willé (1999)
  • Raised on Love - The Major Dundee Band & Toni Willé (1995)
  • Love in a Heat Wave (Sound Track for Motion Picture 'De Flat') (1994)
  • It Turned out to be You / Sometimes Love - The Major Dundee Band & Toni Willé (1990)
  • Good Year for the Roses / The Writing on the Wall (1989)
  • Roll On / Help Me Make It Through The Night (1989)
  • Incredible You / Drift Away (1989)
  • Falling in and out of Love / Working Girl (1987)
  • Sweet Music to my Soul / What do you do to Me (1987)
  • Out of Reach / Have You Ever (1986)
  • Every Beat Of My Heart / Sunday Sunrise (1985)
  • Hungry Nights / Sail Away (1985)
  • We'll Put the World Together Again / What's Forever For - Marco Bakker & Toni Willé (1982)

Compilations - Pussycat feat. Toni Willé

  • De Top 10 Van: Pussycat feat. Toni Willé (2011)
  • Pussycat - The Complete Collection (2004)
  • Hollands Glorie: Pussycat feat. Toni Willé (2001)
  • 25 Jaar Na Mississippi: Pussycat feat. Toni Willé (2001)
  • The Very Best of Pussycat: Pussycat feat. Toni Willé (1996)
  • The Collection & More: Pussycat feat. Toni Willé (1994)

Albums - Pussycat

  • Pussycat - First Of All (1976)
  • Pussycat - Souvenirs (1977)
  • Pussycat - Wet Day In September (1978)
  • Pussycat - Simply To Be With You (1979)
  • Pussycat - Blue Lights (1981)
  • Pussycat - After All (1983)

Vinyl Singles - Sweet Reaction[28]

  • Come back my dream / Call me Maria (1970
  • Tell Alain / If it's only love (1971)
  • Daddy / Tell Alain (1975)
  • Daddy / It's long ago (1977)

Television Interviews

Year Title
2013 Good afternoon Limburg
2013 TVL HoogstPersoonlijk met Toni Willé
2012 Pussycat Documentary
2011 Ellermanns Morning Show
2007 Dennis Jones & Pussycat - The making of Mississippi
1994 Pussycat Documentaire (Single Luck Part 1, 2, 3)

Other Articles

Music Charts

Toni Willé Music in the Dutch Charts[29]

Date Position Title Weeks
25/12/1999 49 Neyman & Willé - Oh, How I Miss You Tonight (Single) 5
31/03/2001 78 Neyman & Willé - American Duets (Album) 2

Pussycat Album in the Dutch Charts[30]

Date Position Title Weeks Label
24/03/2001 26 25 jaar na Mississippi 7 EMI
06/06/1981 10 Blue Lights 15 EMI
17/04/1976 4 First Of All 21 EMI
14/05/1977 6 Souvenirs 8 EMI
05/11/1994 60 The Collection & More 3 EMI
23/09/1978 16 Wet Day In September 7 EMI

Pussycat Singles in the German Charts[10]

Date Position Title Weeks Top 10 Label
26/01/76 1 Mississippi 32 21 EMI
06/04/76 1 Mississippi * 16 8 EMI
12/04/76 24 Mississippi (dtsch) 8 -- EMI
19/04/76 6 Georgie 24 16 EMI
21/04/76 14 Mississippi (dtsch) 6 -- EMI
05/05/76 8 Georgie * 16 4 EMI
07/07/76 18 Georgie (dtsch) 2 -- EMI
27/09/76 9 Smile 27 6 EMI
30/09/76 22 Smile * 8 -- EMI
15/12/76 10 Ein Altes Lied 8 2 EMI
07/02/77 41 Ein Altes Lied * 2 -- EMI
17/04/77 41 My Broken Souvenir 2 -- EMI
18/04/77 22 My Broken Souvenir * 10 -- EMI
16/08/77 13 Abschiedssouvenir 4 -- EMI
21/12/77 38 If you ever come to Amsterdam 6 -- EMI
01/09/78 9 Wet Day in September 10 -- EMI
15/09/80 46 Doing La Bamba 2 -- EMI

*=Airplay Charts

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 IMDb. "Biography for Toni Willé". 
  2. IMDb. "Biography for Toni Willé". woodyanders. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3 FM. "Pussycat Biography". 
  4. "Biography by Amy Henson". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 1 April 2009. 
  5. Golden, Oldies. "Toni Willé (Pussycat)". 
  6. GITLIN, ALEX. "Pussycat". Alex Gitlin. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Covers and Rarities. "Pussycat". Online News Magazine - We are One. 
  8. Dutch Charts. "Pussycat Singles". 
  9. Official Charts Company. "Pussycat Singles". 
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 "Pussycat". Gerd Kehren. 
  11. German Top 20 - Top 300 Of The Years 1975 - 1979. "Mississippi - Pussycat". 
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Tsort. "Pussycat Singles". 
  13. Golden Oldies. "Toni Willé (Pussycat)". 
  14. 14.0 14.1 Dick Van Altena. "Discography". 
  15. The Voice of Pussycat, Toni Wille. "Toni through the Years". 
  16. Toni Willle. "DUTCH COUNTRY MUSIC AWARD WINNERS". 
  17. Discogs. "25 Jaar Na Mississippi". 
  18. Discogs. "Pussycat - The complete Collection". 
  19. Willé, Toni. "Fantastic Stories (feat. The Voice of Pussycat)". iTunes. 
  20. Wille, Toni. "World's United". iTunes. 
  21. Wille, Toni. "Impressions". iTunes. 
  22. "Toni Wille, Voice of Pussycat -Golden Memories-Tour Fiji 2010". 2010. 
  23. Badische Zeitung. "Eddy Holland stellt seine neue CD vor". 
  24. 24.0 24.1 The Voice of Pussycat, Toni Wille. "News Articles". 
  25. 25.0 25.1 ToniWilleOnline. "News". 
  26. NDR 1 Niedersachsen. "Die Oldie Show 2013". 
  27. NL Discografie. "Tony Willé". 
  28. NL Discografie. "Sweet Reaction". 
  29. Dutch Charts. "Toni Wille Single and Album". 
  30. Dutch Charts. "Pussycat Album". 

External links

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