Sheena Easton: Diverse and Time-Honored
Scotland native Sheena Easton will appear at the Levoy in Millville on September 11 at 7 p.m. for a 75-90-minute concert She is accompanied by a trio of Las Vegas-based musicians. Easton is more than just “(Morning Train) 9 to 5” and “Sugar Walls,” although those two hit records from the 1980s show a clear divergence in style. Florrie Palmer, a UK singer-songwriter turned novelist, penned “(Morning Train) 9 to 5” a peppy pop song for sure. “Sugar Walls” comes from a pseudonym-clad Prince, which should tell you a lot about the edge on the recording.
The ’80s was definitely Easton’s decade in music. In 1981, Easton even recorded “For Your Eyes Only” as the theme song for the James Bond film of the same name. Not quite a Bond Girl but she did develop a nice career in TV, animation, features and the theater. And later, settled in Las Vegas where she did the residency gig.
But these days, Easton has left a hectic career in the rearview mirror and Las Vegas is now home for her and two adult children. But Easton has not totally abandoned her musical performances. She’s not the type to make a full-time career out of retirement, so Easton keeps engaged from time to time.
“I do a couple weekends, maybe a week at a time,” Easton says of her limited career. “Life is so much better now. I have a balanced life, home, travel, and work,” says Easton.
The youngest of six children born in Bellshill, Scotland, Easton took her early musical cues from an eclectic list which included Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, Joni Mitchell, Motown, Steely Dan, and Billy Joel. “So many different styles I listened to,” she says. Her recording career has garnered gold and platinum albums in the United States, Europe, and Asia. She has received two Grammys and was the first artist to have top five records on five Billboard primary singles charts: “(Morning Train) 9 to 5” (Pop and Adult Contemporary), “We’ve Got Tonight” with Kenny Rogers (Country and Adult Contemporary), and “Sugar Walls” sexy hit (R&B and Dance).
For those not totally up to date on ’80s oddities, “9 to 5” was the song’s original name, with the extension added to avoid confusion with Dolly Parton’s song by the same name.
Sheena’s acting includes a five-episode appearance on Miami Vice, co-starring opposite Stacy Keach in a John Carpenter-directed trilogy for Showtime titled Body Bags; and as a guest star in the cult-syndicated series The Highlander,” as well as a starring role in UPN’s Ghost Stories. Other guest roles have included Brisco County and Tech Wars, as well as a star turn in Showtime’s Outer Limits. Sheena appeared as a regular on the PAX TV show, Young Blades. Easton and Brian McKnight hosted a talk show originating in Las Vegas.
On Broadway, Easton starred as Aldonza/Dulcinea in Man of La Mancha opposite the late Raul Julia’s Don Quixote. Throughout its year run, the play remained one of the top five grossing hits at the box office. She also starred on Broadway in the hit musical Grease as Rizzo. She had a role in the Warner Bros. feature All Dogs Go to Heaven as the voice of Sasha, the Irish setter. Sheena’s leading man was Charlie Sheen. She then reprised her role in the series of All Dogs Go to Heaven as well as lending her voice to the Road Rovers series for Warner Bros.
IF YOU GO:
Sheena Easton
Date: Thursday, September 11
Time: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $67 to $87, fees included
Venue: Levoy Theatre, 128-130 N. High Street, Millville
856-327-6400; [email protected]; Levoy.net
