Willcox established the rock band, Toyah, in 1977 while performing in Tales from the Vienna Woods at the National Theatre, inspired by her character as a Glitter musician.

• Joel Bogen on guitar, Mark Henry on bass, Steve Bray on drums, Peter Bush on keyboards, and herself on vocals formed the band, which went on to be successful.
• She found herself in the situation of fronting a successful band, although never considered herself a musician, after years of doubting her sexuality and being repelled by her colleagues’ antics with groupies.
• Actor Ian Charleson introduced Willcox to director Derek Jarman, who offered him “whatever part you want” in the film Jubilee (called Down with the Queen at the time).
• Despite its financial difficulties, the film starred Willcox as the lethal ‘Mad,’ as well as several other well-known punk characters.
• In The Who’s Quadrophenia, released in 1979, she played the character of ‘Monkey.’
• Through a friendship with John Lydon, she was acquainted with filmmaker Franc Roddam, who suggested her to the director.
• For a charge, Roddam agreed to grant Willcox the role of Monkey. Even though she required medical help owing to pneumonia, she completed the filming.

After failing to gain a role in Russ Meyer’s Sex Pistols film The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle, Willcox went on to play Miranda in Derek Jarman’s production of The Tempest, earning her a nomination for Best Newcomer at the 1980 Evening Standard Awards.

His Personal Life

Toyah has been married to musician Robert Fripp, the founding member and guitarist of the progressive rock band King Crimson, since 1986.

• They have no children and have left instructions in their wills to establish a musical educational trust for children.
• In the presence of Diana, Princess of Wales, she offered her opinions on how being crippled stimulates creativity and a desire for a more meaningful life experience as a result of her invitation to speak at the Women of the Year ceremony in 1987.
• She rose to prominence in 2002 as a prominent opponent of proposed asylum seeker lodging complexes near the Worcestershire village of Throckmorton, where she led a demonstration that drew over a thousand villagers.
• Willcox agreed to sponsor the Black Country Urban Park for the People’s £50 million Big Lottery Fund in November 2007, and he took up the responsibility in December 2007.

She and other celebrities took part in the Great Walk to Beijing in April 2008, which earned money for Olivia Newton-cancer John’s organization.