Toni Basil

Toni Basil was one of new waves ultimate one-hit wonders, falling completely off the musical radar screen after topping the charts with the ubiquitous cheerleader-chant single Mickey. Chiefly a choreographer, Basil was born Antonia Christina Basilotta in Philadelphia (sources listing her birth date range from 1943 to 1950) and attended high school in Las Vegas, where — unsurprisingly — she was a member of the cheerleading squad. After high school, she became a go-go dancer and quickly moved into choreography, working on 60s television shows like Shindig and The T.A.M.I. Show; in 1964, she appeared with Annette Funicello in the film Pajama Party, which she also choreographed. In 1966, Basil released her first single, the Graham Gouldman-penned 28; the B-side was her recording of the title song from avant-garde filmmaker Bruce Conners Breakaway, in which she also appeared as a dancer. Basils acting career soon hit a peak with her role in 1969s landmark Easy Rider as a New Orleans hooker; she went on to appear with Jack Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces and Dennis Hopper in The Last Movie. During the 70s, she choreographed films like American Graffiti and The Rose, and also worked on David Bowies 1974 concert tour.