Island Reggae : Reknowned Pussycat lead vocalist Toni Wille collaborates with local Artist, Daniel Rae Costello on her Fijian Tour.

Bio Credit : Fiji Times Sunday April 18th 2010
Toni Wille is coming to Fiji. The sultry, distinctive, husky-voiced lead singer of Dutch country band Pussycat will be headlining two concerts in July this year.

Pussycat set the local airwaves alight in the 80's with hits like Mississippi, Broken Souvenirs, Bad Boy and Georgie.

"She's so excited and can't wait to get here, it will be her first time in this part of the world - she's coming to paradise," said event organiser and the man responsible for getting Wille here - Danny Rae Costello.

The Lautoka musician's 2007 collaboration with the famed Dutch singer, Light Up The World, and the success of the ensuing single, a remake of her 1976 hit Georgie, compelled the 57-year-old to plan the up-coming trip to Fiji and wow local fans with her magical voice, live in concert.

"This will be a unique once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Pussycat fans, if you miss this, you won't get another chance to hear her live in this neck of the woods again," Costello said.

Wille, the daughter of a Polish miner, together with her sisters Betty Dragstra and Marianne Veldpaus fronted the popular Dutch country music band in the late 70's and early 80's.

The group's debut self named 1976 album was an instant winner and spawned three international hits- Mississippi, Georgie and Smile.

On the local airwaves, Bad Boy, another single off the album gained momentum and became just as popular as the chartbusters.

Broken Souvenirs, released in 1977 made a huge impact on the local scene and was, perhaps, one of Pussycat's most popular songs and a frequent request on Radio Fiji.

The band's 1978 release, Wet Day In September was also well received and the single Hey Joe became one of the most played songs on local radio.

Pussycat split up in 1985, much to the dismay of country music fans around the world and especially in Fiji.

"Touring with the band was getting tough and my sisters wanted more time for themselves, so we called it quits," Willie shared.

She embarked on a solo career and despite the fact that her efforts failed to mirror Pussycat's success, she managed to eke out three relatively successful albums - Privilege in 1985 followed by 1987's Working Girl and New Words To An Old Love Song in 1989.

Her current hectic schedule sees Wille performing in countries like Germany, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Greece. In 2005, Wille reunited with her sisters to perform on Dutch country band - Major Dundee's album titled Young Gods.

Light Up The World, Wille's collaboration in 2007 with local recording artist Danny Rae Costello, heralded a new direction in the Dutch singer's music style - a reggae influenced, calypso-ish, islandy sound, strains away from the country music scene.

"When she heard the music Phil Dakei and I had prepared for Georgie, Toni was thrilled and the rest, as they say, is history," Costello said.

The Toni Wille Golden Memories Fiji Tour will be staged in Suva on Thursday, July 15 at the Vodafone Arena and in Nadi at the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club on Saturday July 17.

Supporting the superstar are three of Fiji's most exciting live acts including local singing sensation and winner of the popular New Zealand singing competition Homai Te Pakipaki - Roland Williams and One2Eight.





Tell Me Baby -- Costello Duet with Toni Wille.

Don't Know Much by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville, performed by The McGovern Sisters, recorded at Madden Studio

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Before The Next Teardrop Falls

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Back vocal: Cor
Solo Gitaar: Cor
Slag Gitaar: Dorus
Bass Gitaar: Gerard
Drums: Gillis
Geluid: N.R.

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