Sheena Easton
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Sheena Shirley Easton (; born 27 April 1959) is a Scottish singer and actress. Easton came into the public eye in an episode of the first British musical reality television programme '' The Big Time: Pop Singer'', which recorded her attempts to gain a record contract and her eventual signing with EMI Records. Easton's first two singles, " Modern Girl" and "
9 to 5 Working(laboring) time is the period of time that a person spends at paid labor. Unpaid labor such as personal housework or caring for children or pets is not considered part of the working week. Many countries regulate the work week by law, s ...
", both entered the UK Top Ten. She became one of the most successful British female performers of the 1980s. A six-time Grammy nominee in the US, Easton is a two-time
Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pr ...
winner, winning Best New Artist in 1982 and Best Mexican-American Performance in 1985, for her duet with Luis Miguel on the song " Me Gustas Tal Como Eres". She has received five US
Gold album Music recording certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped, sold, or streamed a certain number of units. The threshold quantity varies by type (such as album, single, music video) and by nation or territory (see ...
s and one US Platinum album. She has recorded 15 studio albums, released 45 singles total worldwide, and had 20 consecutive US singles, including 15 US Top 40 singles, seven US Top Tens and one US #1 on the
Billboard Hot 100 The ''Billboard'' Hot 100 is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), radio play, and online stream ...
between 1981 and 1991. She had 25 top 40 hits internationally. In Canada, Easton scored three gold and two platinum albums. She has sold over 30 million records worldwide. Easton became the first and only recording artist in Billboard history to have a top 5 hit on each of Billboard's primary singles charts: " Morning Train (Nine to Five)" (pop and AC), "
We've Got Tonight "We've Got Tonite" is a song written by American rock music artist Bob Seger, from his album '' Stranger in Town'' (1978). The single record charted twice for Seger, and was developed from a prior song that he had written. Further versions chart ...
" with
Kenny Rogers Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted mo ...
(country and AC), and " Sugar Walls" (R&B and dance). Easton's other hits include the
James Bond The ''James Bond'' series focuses on a fictional British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short-story collections. Since Fleming's death in 1964, eight other authors hav ...
theme " For Your Eyes Only", " Strut", " U Got the Look" and " The Arms of Orion" with
Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. ...
, " The Lover in Me", and " What Comes Naturally". She has worked with prominent vocalists and producers, such as Prince,
Christopher Neil Christopher Neil (born 1948) is an Irish-born British record producer, songwriter, singer, and actor. He has produced records for A-ha, Amazulu, Bonnie Tyler, Celine Dion, Cher, Dollar, Edyta Górniak, Gerry Rafferty, Jennifer Rush, José C ...
,
Kenny Rogers Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted mo ...
, David Foster, Luis Miguel, L.A. Reid & Babyface, Patrice Rushen, and Nile Rodgers.


Life and career


1959–1980: Early life and career beginnings

Sheena Shirley Orr was born on 27 April 1959, at
Bellshill Maternity Hospital Bellshill Maternity Hospital was a health facility at Bellshill in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. History The hospital was built as a poor law hospital in the 1870s. It became an infectious diseases hospital in 1892 and a maternity hospital in 1917 ...
in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, the youngest of six children of Annie and steel mill labourer Alex Orr. She has two brothers, Robert and Alex, and three sisters, Marilyn, Anessa, and Morag. Her earliest-known public performance as a singer was in 1964 at the age of five, when she sang "
Early One Morning "Early One Morning" (Roud V9617) is an English folk song with lyrics first found in publications as far back as 1787.Patrick M. Liebergen, Singer's Library of Song: Medium Voice (Alfred Music Publishing, 2005) , 164. A broadside ballad sheet in th ...
" for her uncle and aunt and various relatives at the couple's 25th wedding anniversary celebration. Easton's father died in 1969 and her mother had to support the family. According to Easton's website, despite her mother's heavy workload she was always available for her children: "Sheena always speaks very highly of her mum and the wonderful job she did in bringing up her and her siblings, including teaching them all to read at home before they were even enrolled in school." Easton did not consider a singing career until she saw the movie '' The Way We Were'', with
Barbra Streisand Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand (; born April 24, 1942) is an American singer, actress and director. With a career spanning over six decades, she has achieved success in multiple fields of entertainment, and is among the few performers awar ...
. Streisand's singing over the opening credits "overtook" the young girl and convinced her that what she wanted most was to be a singer and to have the same effect on others. Her top grades in school earned her a scholarship to attend the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in
Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popu ...
, where she trained from 1975 to 1979 as a speech and drama teacher by day, while singing with a band called "Something Else" by night at local clubs. She chose to study teaching rather than performing, because it was a course of study that would let her perfect her craft as a singer. In 1979, she married Sandi Easton, the first of her four husbands. They divorced after eight months, and Sheena decided to keep the surname Easton. That year, one of her tutors coaxed her into auditioning for Esther Rantzen, producer of the BBC programme '' The Big Time''. Rantzen was planning a documentary film to chronicle a relative unknown's rise to pop-music stardom. Easton was selected as the subject for the programme; EMI executives awarded her a contract, and
Christopher Neil Christopher Neil (born 1948) is an Irish-born British record producer, songwriter, singer, and actor. He has produced records for A-ha, Amazulu, Bonnie Tyler, Celine Dion, Cher, Dollar, Edyta Górniak, Gerry Rafferty, Jennifer Rush, José C ...
was assigned as her recording producer. Deke Arlon became her first manager, and Easton spent much of 1980 being followed by camera crews, who filmed her throughout the process of her audition through to making her first EMI single, "Modern Girl". In the course of the filming, she met and sang for Dorothy Squires, Dusty Springfield and Lulu, whose manager
Marion Massey Marion Massey (born Marian Gordon, c.1930 – 1 March 2014)
told her that she saw Easton as a potential TV star with her own series, but not as a pop singer for the 1980s as she lacked "rugged individuality". The encounter with Massey (then Marion London), at which Lulu was present, was filmed and included in the broadcast, at which time Massey was not entirely incorrect, as "Modern Girl" had flopped on its release, peaking at no.56 in just three weeks on the UK Singles Chart in April 1980. However, once the programme aired in August 1980, "Modern Girl" was reissued and the track and its follow up "Nine to Five" both leapt into the top 10, disproving Massey's prediction. In a revised and extended version of this episode of ''The Big Time'', broadcast in 1981; this special concluded with news of Easton's breaking into the American market.


1981–1982: "9 to 5", James Bond, ''Take My Time''

Easton's first single, the
disco Disco is a genre of dance music and a subculture that emerged in the 1970s from the United States' urban nightlife scene. Its sound is typified by four-on-the-floor beats, syncopated basslines, string sections, brass and horns, electric p ...
-tinged soft-synth-pop tune, " Modern Girl", was released in the UK before ''The Big Time'' aired, reached number 56. At the end of the show, Easton was still unsure of her future as a singer. The question was resolved soon after the show aired, when her second single, "
9 to 5 Working(laboring) time is the period of time that a person spends at paid labor. Unpaid labor such as personal housework or caring for children or pets is not considered part of the working week. Many countries regulate the work week by law, s ...
", reached number 3 on the
UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
and was certified a Gold single in 1980. "Modern Girl" re-entered the chart subsequently and climbed into the top 10, being certified a Silver single, and Easton found herself with two songs in the UK top 10 simultaneously. During 1980, Easton was voted "Best British Female Singer" by the ''
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'' Pop & Rock Awards, "Best Newcomer" by Capital Radio, and "Best Female Singer" by the ''
TV Times ''TV Times'' is a British television listings magazine published by Future plc. It was originally published by Independent Television Publications, owned by the participating ITV companies. The magazine was acquired by IPC Media in 1989, which ...
'' Readers Awards. "9 to 5" was Easton's first single release in the United States, although it was renamed "Morning Train (Nine To Five)" for its release in the US and Canada to avoid confusion with
Dolly Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, known primarily for her work in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album ...
's hit movie title song "
9 to 5 Working(laboring) time is the period of time that a person spends at paid labor. Unpaid labor such as personal housework or caring for children or pets is not considered part of the working week. Many countries regulate the work week by law, s ...
". "Morning Train (Nine to Five)" became Easton's first and only number 1 hit in the US and topped both the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and
Adult Contemporary Adult contemporary music (AC) is a form of radio-played popular music, ranging from 1960s vocal and 1970s soft rock music to predominantly ballad-heavy music of the present day, with varying degrees of easy listening, pop, soul, R&B, quie ...
charts in ''Billboard'' magazine. "Modern Girl" was released as the follow-up and peaked at number 18, and before 1981 was over she had a Top 10 hit in both the US and UK with the Academy Award-nominated
James Bond The ''James Bond'' series focuses on a fictional British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short-story collections. Since Fleming's death in 1964, eight other authors hav ...
movie theme " For Your Eyes Only". The song was nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe award in 1982 in the category "Best Music (Original Song)". Easton's US success culminated in her winning the
Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pr ...
for "Best New Artist" for 1982. Easton actually appears in the opening credits of ''For Your Eyes Only'', performing the song; as of 2022, she remains the only Bond theme singer to be featured in this way. Easton's first three US albums, ''Sheena Easton'' (1981) (retitled edition of ''Take My Time''), '' You Could Have Been with Me'' (1981), and ''
Madness, Money & Music ''Madness, Money & Music'' is the third album by singer Sheena Easton. It was released in 1982 and produced by Christopher Neil. The album includes the singles "I Wouldn't Beg for Water" (US number 64) and "Machinery" (US number 57, UK number 3 ...
'' (1982), were all in the same soft rock/pop vein. The title track from ''You Could Have Been with Me'' made it in to the US top 15; however, by the end of 1982, she saw her sales slumping. Easton was one of the first artists to record "
Wind Beneath My Wings "Wind Beneath My Wings" (sometimes titled "The Wind Beneath My Wings" and "Hero") is a song written in 1982 by Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley. The song was first recorded by Kamahl in 1982 for a country and western album he was recording. Kamahl tal ...
" (included on ''Madness, Money & Music''), which later was a hit for Bette Midler. Then, in 1982, Easton undertook her first US tour. Her performance in Los Angeles was videotaped and broadcast on HBO and later released on VHS and Laserdisc as ''Sheena Easton Live at the Palace, Hollywood''. On 8 November 1982 she appeared in the Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen Mother singing Maybe This Time.


1983–1987: ''Best Kept Secret'', ''Todo Me Recuerda a Ti'', ''A Private Heaven'' and ''No Sound but a Heart''

In January 1983, Easton duetted with
Kenny Rogers Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted mo ...
and had a top 10 hit in the US with "
We've Got Tonight "We've Got Tonite" is a song written by American rock music artist Bob Seger, from his album '' Stranger in Town'' (1978). The single record charted twice for Seger, and was developed from a prior song that he had written. Further versions chart ...
", a cover of the Bob Seger song. The recording also earned her a number 1 single on the Country chart, and it reached the UK Top 30. Around the time of her hit record with Rogers, Easton headlined ''Act One'', a one-hour variety special broadcast on NBC that featured Rogers and a cameo appearance by Johnny Carson. October 1983 saw the release of the album'' Best Kept Secret'' and its first single, the synthesized dance-pop tune "
Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair) "Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair)" is a song by Scottish singer Sheena Easton, the first single released from her fourth album, 1983's '' Best Kept Secret''. In November 1984, Easton added "Telefono" to her Spanish album ''Todo Me Recuerda a T ...
", became her fourth Top 10 hit. The single was Grammy-nominated for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" of 1983. The follow-up single, " Almost Over You", reached the US Top 30 and was a number 4 AC chart hit. "Almost Over You" was very popular in Asia and was covered by Chinese singer Cass Pang. It also became a hit on the Country charts for Lila McCann in 1998. In 1984, Easton recorded a Spanish-language single, "Me Gustas Tal Como Eres" ("I Like You Just the Way You Are"), a duet with Mexican star Luis Miguel. The single earned her a second Grammy, this time for Best Mexican-American Performance. The track was taken from the album '' Todo Me Recuerda a Ti'' (1984), and reissued by Capitol/EMI-Latin in 1989, which featured Spanish-language covers of seven previous Easton recordings and three new tracks. In the same year, she also made a transformation into a sexy dance-pop siren, changing her performance style in the process. She was rewarded with the biggest-selling US album of her career, RIAA certified gold & platinum ''
A Private Heaven ''A Private Heaven'' is the fifth studio album by Scottish pop singer Sheena Easton, released on 21 September 1984 by EMI America Records. The album featured two US Top 10 hit singles: the lead single "Strut" and the controversial "Sugar Walls". " ...
'' (1984), and her sixth Top 10 US single, " Strut". In the UK, however, the move was not a commercial success, as Easton would find herself shut out of the UK top 75 for the next three years. Her career on the rise in the US, Easton was again Grammy nominated, this time for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" in 1984. She was also one of the first artists to have a music video banned because of its lyrics rather than its imagery; some broadcasters refused to air the sexually risqué " Sugar Walls", which had been written for her by
Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. ...
(using the
pseudonym A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person or group assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true name ( orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individu ...
''Alexander Nevermind''). "Sugar Walls" was named by Tipper Gore of the Parents Music Resource Center as one of the "Filthy Fifteen", a list of songs deemed indecent because of their lyrics, alongside Prince's own " Darling Nikki". The song eventually hit number 3 on the R&B singles chart, number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 1 on the Billboard Dance Chart in 1985. Easton's follow-up to ''A Private Heaven'', entitled ''
Do You Do You may refer to: * ''Do You'' (album), an album by Sheena Easton * "Do You..." (Miguel song), a song by Miguel * "Do You (Bro'Sis song), a song by Bro'Sis * "Do You" (Ne-Yo song), a song by Ne-Yo * "Do You", a song by Jay Sean from '' All or ...
'' (1985), was produced by Nile Rodgers and achieved gold status, although it failed to generate any breakout singles of the chart calibre of "Strut" or "Sugar Walls". In late 1985, Easton contributed "It's Christmas (All Over the World)" to the holiday release '' Santa Claus: The Movie''. In 1987, the release of a follow-up album, '' No Sound But a Heart'' (1987),Beck, Marilyn. "New director selected for 'No Man's Land'. ''Daily News'' (Los Angeles). 22 December 1986. was hampered in the United States after an initial single release, "Eternity" (another Prince composition), failed to reach the pop, R&B or adult contemporary charts. The album's release moved from February to June; then in August the release was further held up as Easton's attorneys asked that the album be delayed after EMI Records was absorbed into EMI/Manhattan. (This did not prevent the album from being released in Canada, Europe and other territories.) Songs from the album were covered by other artists: Crystal Gayle and Gary Morris featured "Wanna Give My Love" and "What if We Fall in Love" on a 1987 duet album named for the latter song;
Celine Dion Céline Marie Claudette Dion ( ; born 30 March 1968) is a Canadian singer. Noted for her powerful and technically skilled vocals, Dion is the best-selling Canadian recording artist, and the best-selling French-language artist of all time. Her ...
recorded " The Last to Know" on 1990's '' Unison'' while Mexican singer
Yuri Yuri may refer to: People and fictional characters Given name *Yuri (Slavic name), the Slavic masculine form of the given name George, including a list of people with the given name Yuri, Yury, etc. * Yuri (Japanese name), also Yūri, feminine Ja ...
featured the tune on her album ''Espejos De Alma'' (1995); Patti LaBelle covered "Still in Love" on 1989's ''Be Yourself;'' Pia Zadora recorded "Floating Hearts" on 1989's ''Pia Z''. ''No Sound But a Heart'' eventually did get released in the United States in 1999, with four bonus tracks, including Easton's contributions to the soundtrack of the 1986 film ''
About Last Night About Last Night may refer to: Film and television * ''About Last Night'' (1986 film), an American comedy-drama directed by Edward Zwick * ''About Last Night'' (2014 film), an American remake of the 1986 film, directed by Steve Pink * "About Las ...
'', "Natural Love" and the Top 50 single "So Far, So Good".


1987–1990: "U Got the Look" and ''The Lover in Me''

In 1987, Easton appeared in Prince's concert film '' Sign o' the Times'', during which she sang duet vocals for Prince's hit, " U Got the Look", which became a No. 2 hit in the US. This led to Grammy nominations for "Best R&B Vocal, Duo or Group" and "Best R&B Song" of 1987. The track also returned Easton to the UK hit parade for the first time in nearly four years, although Easton is not credited on the label for the song's single release. During her time collaborating with Prince, Easton was encouraged to write her own material. The most successful effort from their co-writes was "The Arms of Orion", another duet with Prince and a single from 1989's
Batman soundtrack ''Batman'' is the eleventh studio album by American recording artist Prince and the soundtrack album to the 1989 film '' Batman''. It was released on June 20, 1989, by Warner Bros. Records. As a Warner Bros. stablemate, Prince's involvement ...
. The song reached number 36 on the US Billboard Chart and number 27 in her native UK. She also co-wrote the song "Love '89" with Prince for Patti LaBelle's album '' Be Yourself'' and "La, La, La, He, He, Hee", which
Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. ...
recorded for the B-side of the single " Sign o' the Times". Tabloid press linked the two romantically, which she has always denied.Elfman, Doug.
Doug Elfman: Grist For the Rumor Mill
" '' Las Vegas Review-Journal''. 27 March 2009.
In November 1987, Easton made her first dramatic acting appearance on the television program ''
Miami Vice ''Miami Vice'' is an American crime drama television series created by Anthony Yerkovich and produced by Michael Mann (director), Michael Mann for NBC. The series stars Don Johnson as James "Sonny" Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Ricardo ...
''. She played a singer named Caitlin Davies, whom
Sonny Crockett Sonny is a common nickname and occasional given name. Often it can be a derivative of the English word "Son", a name derived from the Ancient Germanic element *sunn meaning "sun", a nickname derived from the Italian name Salvatore (especially in N ...
was assigned to protect until her court appearance to render crucial testimony against certain corrupt music industry mavens. Sonny and Caitlin ended up married by the end of the episode, the first of five episodes for Easton. By the spring of 1988, a volume of the ''Miami Vice'' soundtrack was released and featured "Follow My Rainbow", which Easton had finished singing on her last appearance just moments before her character was eliminated. The song also appeared on her next album '' The Lover in Me'' (1988), RIAA gold-disc debut released the following autumn on her new label
MCA Records MCA Records was an American record label owned by MCA Inc., which later became part of Universal Music Group. Pre-history MCA Inc., a powerful talent agency and a television production company, entered the recorded music business in 1962 w ...
, that put Easton back on the US and UK charts after the release of ''No Sound But a Heart'' was cancelled in the US. This album features Urban R&B and Dance-pop, and a sexier image. The title song from ''The Lover in Me'' reached number 2 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and UK number 15 and became her biggest pop hit since "Morning Train". It also became a number 5 hit on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks chart. It was followed on the US R&B chart by "Days Like This" (number 35), which missed the Billboard Hot 100. The third single, the Prince-penned "101", made it to number 2 on the ''Billboard'' Dance chart. A final single was released "No Deposit, No Return" and failed to chart. The album received positive reviews and featured collaborations with L.A. Reid and Babyface, Prince, Angela Winbush and Jellybean Benitez. In 1990, Easton revisited her home country of Scotland to perform at a festival (The Big Day) in
Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popu ...
. After announcing that it was "good to be back home" in an American accent, she had bottles (some containing urine) thrown at her and, visibly shaken, she was forced to cut her set short. She vowed never to perform in Scotland again.


1991–1996: ''What Comes Naturally, Modern Girl (Live in San Diego), No Strings, and My Cherie''

In 1991, '' What Comes Naturally'' became the last of Easton's albums to chart in the United States, peaking at number 90. The title song was also her last Top 40 single to date, reaching number 19. It also became her first hit in Australia since the mid-1980s, peaking at number 4. Two other singles, "You Can Swing It" and "To Anyone," followed but failed to chart. "What Comes Naturally" remained on the US pop chart for 10 weeks and 11 weeks on the ARIA Chart in Australia. Easton has songwriting credits on three tracks. She is also one of the few pop artists to adopt the new jack swing sound with chart success from the early 1990s. In 1992 an unofficial recording of "Modern Girl" (Live in San Diego) was released by "That's Life" recordings in Germany and Japan. The music was from her early output with EMI and became a sort of bootleg version of her concert when she performed stateside on her first worldwide tour in 1982. Easton followed this with the non-charting but critically acclaimed '' No Strings'' (1993), an album of jazz standards produced by Patrice Rushen. It included her version of " The Nearness of You," which was also featured on the soundtrack of the film, '' Indecent Proposal,'' in which Easton appeared in a cameo role. '' My Cherie'' (1995) was her last pop album to date to see domestic release in the United States. The album saw Sheena reunite with producer
Christopher Neil Christopher Neil (born 1948) is an Irish-born British record producer, songwriter, singer, and actor. He has produced records for A-ha, Amazulu, Bonnie Tyler, Celine Dion, Cher, Dollar, Edyta Górniak, Gerry Rafferty, Jennifer Rush, José C ...
for the first time in over a decade.


1996–1999: ''Freedom'', ''Home'' and Colors of Christmas Tour

Easton contributed vocals to the soundtrack of '' All Dogs Go to Heaven 2'' and voiced the character Sasha La Fleur on "Count Me Out" and "I Will Always Be With You". Easton also contributed the theme song "Are There Angels" to the soundtrack for '' Shiloh'' in 1997; and provided the song "A Dream Worth Keeping" for the 1992 animated film '' FernGully: The Last Rainforest''. In 1997, she played 'Melissa McCammon', a recording star, who is visited by time travellers from the future in a second-season episode of the Canadian television series '' The Outer Limits'' entitled "
Falling Star Falling Star(s) or The Falling Star may refer to: *Meteor or falling star, the visible passage of a glowing meteoroid through Earth's atmosphere Film and television *'' The Falling Star'', a 1950 German drama film directed by Harald Braun * Fall ...
". The episode featured her singing two songs from '' My Cherie''. In the late 1990s, Easton retained an album contract with
MCA MCA may refer to: Astronomy * Mars-crossing asteroid, an asteroid whose orbit crosses that of Mars Aviation * Minimum crossing altitude, a minimum obstacle crossing altitude for fixes on published airways * Medium Combat Aircraft, a 5th gen ...
Japan and released two discs of new material. However, neither album was originally released in the United States. ''Freedom'', released in 1997 to coincide with the launch of her website and finally released in (Limited Edition) stateside in 2007, was a return to her trademark pop, including a remake of her debut single " Modern Girl". In 1999
Universal Universal is the adjective for universe. Universal may also refer to: Companies * NBCUniversal, a media and entertainment company ** Universal Animation Studios, an American Animation studio, and a subsidiary of NBCUniversal ** Universal TV, a t ...
/ Victor released the self-produced acoustic set, ''Home''. Also around this time, Sheena Easton Greatest Hits collection featuring 12 MCA singles recorded from 1988 to 1995 released and charted in Japan at number 98 (additional greatest hits collections surfaced in the US and UK, but did not chart). Easton adopted a boy (Jake) and girl (Skylar) between 1995 and 1996. Motherhood led her to curtail her appearances and focus on casino gigs, corporate shows and theatrical work.Cordova, Randy.
4/13: Sheena Easton at Phx Pride Festival
" ''
The Arizona Republic ''The Arizona Republic'' is an American daily Lists of newspapers, newspaper published in Phoenix, Arizona, Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain ...
''. 3 April 2008.
"Because I adopted my children, I could plan my timing", she told ''
The Arizona Republic ''The Arizona Republic'' is an American daily Lists of newspapers, newspaper published in Phoenix, Arizona, Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain ...
''. "I knew exactly when they were coming along, so I knew when I had to change my life so it would be a stable life." Easton continued acting in America, starring in lead Broadway revivals of '' Man of La Mancha'' as (Aldonza) opposite Raul Julia in his last stage role (1992), and '' Grease'' as Rizzo (1996). Between 1994 and 1996, she played several characters in '' Gargoyles'' the animated series, including Lady Finella, the Banshee, Molly and Robyn Canmore. In 1999, she voice-acted a part-demon character, Annah-of-the-Shadows, in the computer game '' Planescape: Torment''. She lives in
Las Vegas Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Veg ...
with her two children and often performs in various casinos' entertainment venues. She voiced the character of Fiona Canmore for a scripted but unfinished episode of the cancelled animated feature, '' Team Atlantis''. In December 1998, Easton toured with "The Colors of Christmas" with artists
Roberta Flack Roberta Cleopatra Flack (born February 10, 1937) is a retired American singer. She topped the ''Billboard'' charts with the No. 1 singles " The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", " Killing Me Softly with His Song", " Feel Like Makin' Love", " W ...
, Melissa Manchester, Peabo Bryson and Jeffrey Osborne.
Windham Hill Windham Hill Records was an independent record label that specialized in instrumental acoustic music. It was founded by guitarist William Ackerman and Anne Robinson (née McGilvray) in 1976 and was popular in the 1980s and 1990s. The label was ...
Records produced "The Colors of Christmas" disc by Robbie Buchanan of holiday music. Easton contributed two tracks, "The Place Where We Belong" (a duet with Jeffrey Osborne) and "The Lord's Prayer".


1999–2013: ''Fabulous'', Re-issues

In 1999 New York based
One Way Records One Way Records was an independent record label based in Albany, New York that specialized in budget reissues of classic rock albums. In the 1990s, it gained business pressing reissues of those records that had "fallen through the cracks" in the t ...
reserved the rights to release all of Easton's EMI-America catalog. For the first time in the US, ''No Sound But a Heart'' was released, 12 years after the album was made available elsewhere. All of Easton's EMI back catalogue (with another exception of her Spanish-language album ''Todo Me Recuerda a Ti'') was re-released and remastered with bonus tracks, incorporating B-sides and remixes. Universal Japan released ''Best Ballads'', a disc of ballads from her six previous albums from her MCA catalog with the exception of "For Your Eyes Only" for the Japanese market that failed to chart. She also signed an album contract with
Universal International Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Americ ...
UK and attempted a comeback with '' Fabulous'' (2000), an album of classic disco covers. The first single, "Giving Up, Giving In", reached UK number 54, and the album charted at UK number 185. A second single, a cover of Donna Summer's hit "Love is in Control", with double A-side " Don't Leave Me This Way", was withdrawn. This was to be Easton's last album release to date. The album was released throughout Europe, Japan, Australia, and Argentina but not in the US. In Australia, "Fabulous" was released 24 February 2001 and Easton was asked to perform songs from the album to close out 2001 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras ceremonies. In 2003, Easton contributed vocals to "If You're Happy", a cover for a Japanese disc called ''Cover Morning Musume-Hello Project''. She also began to host ''Vegas Live'', a talk show with Clint Holmes (later replaced by Brian McKnight). In 2004, she was inducted into the Casino Legends Hall of Fame at the Tropicana Resort & Casino.


2013–present: "The Spy Who Loved Me" and ''42nd Street''

In February 2013, Demon/Edsel Records (UK) reissued Easton's ''You Could Have Been with Me'' and ''Madness, Money & Music'' along with ''A Private Heaven'' and ''Do You'' in two compact disc packages remastered with bonus tracks, with the latter including the extended version of "
Jimmy Mack "Jimmy Mack" is a pop/soul song that in 1967 became a hit single by Martha and the Vandellas for Motown's Gordy imprint. Written and produced by Motown's main creative team, Holland–Dozier–Holland, "Jimmy Mack" was the final Top 10 pop hit ...
" that has never been included on any of her reissues. In November 2014, a box set of Easton's first five albums in an original album series CD collection was released by Warner Music in the United Kingdom. In 2015 Easton embarked on symphony concerts with guest vocalists entitled "The Spy Who Loved Me" with material from spy movies of the past and present and featuring
Bond Bond or bonds may refer to: Common meanings * Bond (finance), a type of debt security * Bail bond, a commercial third-party guarantor of surety bonds in the United States * Chemical bond, the attraction of atoms, ions or molecules to form chemical ...
-style music with symphonies around the United States beginning in San Francisco from July 2015 and continuing into 2016. Easton also performed a small tour of dates during the latter part of 2015 in Australia featuring her Greatest Hits. In November 2016, Easton accepted the role of Dorothy Brock in the revival production of ''42nd Street'', which premiered on 20 March 2017 in London's West End, Drury Lane. Lulu replaced Easton in March 2018. Easton performed at the 2021 New York State Fair, and two of her albums, '' Fabulous'' and an expanded edition of '' What Comes Naturally'' were reissued digitally through
Apple Music Apple Music is a music, audio and video streaming service developed by Apple Inc. Users select music to stream to their device on-demand, or they can listen to existing playlists. The service also includes the Internet radio stations Appl ...
. On Sept. 17, 2021, RT Industries (US) and Cherry Red Records (UK) launch a re-issue campaign of the EMI star's back catalog and issued the three-CD box set ''The Definitive Singles 1980–1987'', which collected all of Easton's English-language singles recorded for EMI, along with format-edit versions and some previously unreleased vault material along with the additional releases throughout 2022. On Nov. 19, 2021, Apple Music made additional Easton material available digitally, with the collections ''Best Ballads'' and ''Greatest Hits'', which feature material from Easton's post-1987 era with MCA/Universal.


Personal life

Easton has been married, and divorced, four times and has two adopted children. Her first marriage was in Britain to Sandi Easton at the age of 19. The marriage lasted eight months. Sandi Easton died in 1998, aged 48. Her second marriage in 1984 to Rob Light, a talent agent, ended after 18 months. Easton became a US citizen in 1992, carrying dual citizenship with the United Kingdom, and adopted her first child, Jake Rion Cousins Easton, in 1994. Two years later, she adopted again, this time a baby girl she named Skylar. In the summer of 1997, she met producer Tim Delarm while filming an episode of
ESPN ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). The ...
Canon
Photo Safari A safari (; ) is an overland journey to observe wild animals, especially in eastern or southern Africa. The so-called "Big Five" game animals of Africa – lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo – particularly form an impo ...
in
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park is an American national park located in the western United States, largely in the northwest corner of Wyoming and extending into Montana and Idaho. It was established by the 42nd U.S. Congress with the Yellowst ...
and they married in
Las Vegas Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Veg ...
in July 1997; the marriage lasted one year. On 9 November 2002, she married John Minoli, a
Beverly Hills Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. A notable and historic suburb of Greater Los Angeles, it is in a wealthy area immediately southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. ...
plastic surgeon; they divorced in 2003. Easton resides in Henderson, Nevada.


Discography

*'' Take My Time'' (1981; titled simply ''Sheena Easton'' in North America) *'' You Could Have Been with Me'' (1981) *''
Madness, Money & Music ''Madness, Money & Music'' is the third album by singer Sheena Easton. It was released in 1982 and produced by Christopher Neil. The album includes the singles "I Wouldn't Beg for Water" (US number 64) and "Machinery" (US number 57, UK number 3 ...
'' (1982) *'' Best Kept Secret'' (1983) *''
A Private Heaven ''A Private Heaven'' is the fifth studio album by Scottish pop singer Sheena Easton, released on 21 September 1984 by EMI America Records. The album featured two US Top 10 hit singles: the lead single "Strut" and the controversial "Sugar Walls". " ...
'' (1984) *'' Todo Me Recuerda a Ti'' (1984) *''
Do You Do You may refer to: * ''Do You'' (album), an album by Sheena Easton * "Do You..." (Miguel song), a song by Miguel * "Do You (Bro'Sis song), a song by Bro'Sis * "Do You" (Ne-Yo song), a song by Ne-Yo * "Do You", a song by Jay Sean from '' All or ...
'' (1985) *'' No Sound But a Heart'' (1987) *'' The Lover in Me'' (1988) *'' What Comes Naturally'' (1991) *'' No Strings'' (1993) *'' My Cherie'' (1995) *'' Freedom'' (1997) *'' Home'' (1999) *'' Fabulous'' (2000)


Filmography

* '' For Your Eyes Only'' (1981) – Herself in opening credit sequence * '' ALF'' (1986–1990) – Cameo as Herself * '' Sign o' the Times'' (1987) – Dream sequence vocalist as Herself * ''
The Grand Knockout Tournament ''The Grand Knockout Tournament'' (also known as ''It's a Royal Knockout'') was a one-off charity event which took place on 15 June 1987, and was shown on British television on 19 June 1987 (BBC1, repeated on 27 December 1987), in addition to a ...
'' - (1987) – as Herself * ''
Miami Vice ''Miami Vice'' is an American crime drama television series created by Anthony Yerkovich and produced by Michael Mann (director), Michael Mann for NBC. The series stars Don Johnson as James "Sonny" Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Ricardo ...
'' (1987-1988) – Caitlin Davies (five episodes) * '' It's Garry Shandling's Show'' (1988) - as Herself * '' Just Say Julie'' (1989) – Cameo as Herself * '' Indecent Proposal'' (1993) – Cameo as Herself * '' Jack's Place'' (1993) – As Gwen * '' Body Bags'' (1993) – Megan (in segment titled "Hair") * '' Highlander: The Series'' (1993) – Annie Devlin (in episode titled "An Eye for an Eye" S02E05) * '' The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.'' (1993) – Crystal Hawks (one episode) * '' Charles Dickens' David Copperfield'' (1993) – voice of Agnes * '' TekWar'' (TV series) (1994) – War Bride * '' Real Ghosts'' a.k.a. '' Haunted Lives: True Ghost Stories'' (1995) – Janet (nightclub owner) * '' Gargoyles'' (1994–1997) voice – Robyn Canmore, Banshee, Molly, Finella * '' The Outer Limits'' (1996) – Melissa McCammon in episode titled "
Falling Star Falling Star(s) or The Falling Star may refer to: *Meteor or falling star, the visible passage of a glowing meteoroid through Earth's atmosphere Film and television *'' The Falling Star'', a 1950 German drama film directed by Harald Braun * Fall ...
" * '' Road Rovers'' (1996) voice – Groomer, Persia, Mrs. British Prime Minister * '' All Dogs Go to Heaven 2'' (1996), '' All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series'' (1996 – TV series), '' An All Dogs Christmas Carol'' (1998) – voice of Sasha La Fleur * '' Duckman'' (1997) – Betty (one episode) * ''Chicken Soup for the Soul'' (1999) – Vicky in episode titled "Sand Castles" * ''Disney's The Legend of Tarzan'' (2001) – voice of Dr. Robin Doyle (two episodes) * ''Vegas Live! With Clint Holmes and Sheena Easton'' – Host (2003) * ''
Scooby-Doo! and the Loch Ness Monster ''Scooby-Doo! and the Loch Ness Monster'' is a 2004 direct-to-video animated adventure film, and the seventh direct-to-video film based upon the ''Scooby-Doo'' Saturday morning cartoons. It was released on June 22, 2004, and it was produced by ...
'' (2004) – voice of Professor Fiona Pembrooke * '' Young Blades'' (2005) – Queen Anne * '' Phineas and Ferb'' (2009) – Doofenshmirtz's Girlfriend (1 episode)


Broadway/London's West End

*'' Man of La Mancha'' – Aldonza (1991–1992—reprise role in 1998) (Broadway show) * ''Grease'' (1996) – Betty Rizzo (Broadway show) * ''42nd Street'' (2017–2018) – Dorothy Brock in London's (West End's Revival Production)


Concert tours and Las Vegas residencies

* Sheena Easton "World Tour" 1982 * A Private Heaven Tour 1984 * No Sound But a Heart Tour 1987 – Cancelled in US * Sheena Easton "World Tour" 1989 * Japan "Greatest Hits" Tour 1995 * The Colors of Christmas Tour 1997–1998 – 2001 & 2003 * "At The Copa" with David Cassidy, Rio Hotel – 2000–2001 * Sheena Easton "For Your Ears Only" Las Vegas Hilton – 2002–2003 * Sheena Easton "Greatest Hits" Australian Tour 2015 * Sheena Easton "Reimagined New York State Fair concert" – 2021


Awards and nominations


American Music Awards

, - ! scope="row" , 1982 , Sheena Easton , Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist ,


''Billboard'' Music Award

, - ! scope="row" , 1981 , Sheena Easton , Top Pop New Artist , , - ! scope="row" , 2004 , Sheena Easton , Top Pop Artists of the Past 25 Years chart , number 58


Grammy Awards

The
Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pr ...
s are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Easton has won two awards from six nominations. , - ! scope="row" rowspan=2, 1982 , Sheena Easton , Best New Artist , , - , " For Your Eyes Only" ,
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance The Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance was a Grammy Award recognizing superior vocal performance by a female in the pop category, the first of which was presented in 1959. It was discontinued after the 2011 Grammy season. The awar ...
, , - ! scope="row" , 1984 , "
Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair) "Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair)" is a song by Scottish singer Sheena Easton, the first single released from her fourth album, 1983's '' Best Kept Secret''. In November 1984, Easton added "Telefono" to her Spanish album ''Todo Me Recuerda a T ...
" , Best Female Pop Vocal Performance , , - ! scope="row" rowspan="2", 1985 , " Strut" , Best Female Pop Vocal Performance , , - , ''Me Gustas Tal Como Eres'' (with Luis Miguel) , Best Mexican-American Performance , , - ! scope="row" , 1988 , " U Got the Look" (with
Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. ...
)
, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal , Note: "U Got the Look" was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. This nomination is credited to the songwriter (
Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. ...
) and not to Easton.


Other awards

Best British Female Singer – 1980 ''Daily Mirror'' Pop & Rock Awards Best Newcomer – 1980 Capital Radio Best Female Singer – 1980 The ''TV Times'' Readers Awards Sheena Easton Casino Legends Hall of Fame – 2004


See also

* List of artists who reached number one in the United States * List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart


References


External links

* * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Easton, Sheena 1959 births Living people People from Bellshill Alumni of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland British dance musicians Grammy Award winners British contemporary R&B singers Scottish emigrants to the United States 20th-century Scottish women singers Scottish film actresses Scottish musical theatre actresses Scottish pop singers Scottish rock singers Scottish singer-songwriters Scottish voice actresses Spanish-language singers EMI Records artists MCA Records artists Universal Music Group artists Scottish expatriates in the United States