Perri Lister
Encyclopedia
Perri Lister is an English actress, dancer, and singer. She featured in her first film in 1980, and has since appeared in films and television series. She was a dancer with the British dance troupe Hot Gossip
who appeared regularly on the Kenny Everett Video Show
, which was televised by ITV
Lister has sung backing vocals for Visage
, and performed in music video
s for Duran Duran
and Billy Idol
, the latter with whom she had a nine-year relationship. She was a member of the short-lived girl group Boomerang.
In 1978, she became one of the dancers of the dance troupe Hot Gossip
who appeared on the Kenny Everett Video Show, which was televised on ITV. They were noted for their sexually-suggestive costumes and risquè dance routines, which attracted much criticism. Lister, who has red hair and green eyes, was one of the original Blitz Kids
, a group of young, flamboyantly-dressed people who patronised the elitist Covent Garden
, London nightclub the Blitz in the early 1980s, among whom were Boy George
, Steve Strange
, Spandau Ballet
, and singer Marilyn
.
Lister made her acting debut as a dancer in the 1980 film Can't Stop The Music, which was directed by Nancy Walker. She would continue to feature in films and television series in the 1980s and 1990s.
Lister began a relationship with punk singer Billy Idol in 1980, over whom she allegedly exerted a big influence. Lister sang the French background chorus, Les yeux sans visage for his 1984 hit single Eyes Without a Face
., and she also performed in several of his music videos, including White Wedding
, in which she played the bride; To Be a Lover; and she was the girl nailed to the cross in the video, Hot in the City
which was banned by MTV
. She danced in the 1983 Duran Duran black-and-white
video, The Chauffeur, and sang backing vocals for Steve Strange
's group Visage
. Lister performed on Italian television alongside Strange and another Visage backing singer, Lorraine in a mimed rendition of Fade To Grey, and on German television with the song Mind of a Toy
.
Lister was a member of the short-lived girl group
'Boomerang' which also consisted of two former members of Kid Creole and The Coconuts
, Adriana Kaegi and Cheryl Poirier. The group released an album Boomerang on the Atlantic label in 1986. They had one single, a remake of the Nancy Sinatra
hit, "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'
".
, California on 15 June 1988. When an American model held a press conference claiming to be Idol's girlfriend, Lister responded by holding one of her own, maintaining that she was "and always had been Idol's girlfriend". The couple broke up in 1989.
As of 2011, Lister resides in Los Angeles. Her son Willem is a member of a rock band, FIM.
Hot Gossip
-Formation:Arlene Phillips came to London to learn and teach developing American Jazz dance routines. Employed as a dance teacher, she taught at locations including the Pineapple Dance Studios and the Italia Conti Stage School. In 1974, Phillips started forming the core of a troupe; Italia Conti...
who appeared regularly on the Kenny Everett Video Show
Kenny Everett
Kenny Everett was an English comedian, radio DJ and television entertainer. Born Maurice James Christopher Cole, Everett is best known for his career as a radio DJ and for the Kenny Everett television shows.-Early life:...
, which was televised by ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
Lister has sung backing vocals for Visage
Visage
Visage are a British New Wave rock band. Formed in 1978, the band became closely linked to the burgeoning New Romantic fashion movement of the early 1980s, and are best known for their 1980 hit "Fade to Grey".-New Wave years :...
, and performed in music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s for Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
and Billy Idol
Billy Idol
William Michael Albert Broad , better known by his stage name Billy Idol, is an English rock musician. A member of the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X...
, the latter with whom she had a nine-year relationship. She was a member of the short-lived girl group Boomerang.
Career
Lister was born Perry Lister in London, England on 10 April 1959.In 1978, she became one of the dancers of the dance troupe Hot Gossip
Hot Gossip
-Formation:Arlene Phillips came to London to learn and teach developing American Jazz dance routines. Employed as a dance teacher, she taught at locations including the Pineapple Dance Studios and the Italia Conti Stage School. In 1974, Phillips started forming the core of a troupe; Italia Conti...
who appeared on the Kenny Everett Video Show, which was televised on ITV. They were noted for their sexually-suggestive costumes and risquè dance routines, which attracted much criticism. Lister, who has red hair and green eyes, was one of the original Blitz Kids
Blitz Kids
The Blitz Kids were a group of young people who frequented the Blitz nightclub in Covent Garden, London in the very early 1980s, and are credited with launching the New Romantic cultural movement...
, a group of young, flamboyantly-dressed people who patronised the elitist Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
, London nightclub the Blitz in the early 1980s, among whom were Boy George
Boy George
Boy George is a British singer-songwriter who was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by...
, Steve Strange
Steve Strange
Steve Strange , is a Welsh pop singer, best known as the lead singer and frontman of the 1980s pop group Visage...
, Spandau Ballet
Spandau Ballet
Spandau Ballet are a British band formed in London in the late 1970s. Initially inspired by, and an integral part of, the New Romantic fashion, their music has featured a mixture of funk, jazz, soul and synthpop. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s, achieving ten Top Ten singles...
, and singer Marilyn
Marilyn
Marilyn is a feminine given name. Notable people with the name include:*Marilyn , British entertainer*Marilyn Agliotti , Dutch-South African field hockey player...
.
Lister made her acting debut as a dancer in the 1980 film Can't Stop The Music, which was directed by Nancy Walker. She would continue to feature in films and television series in the 1980s and 1990s.
Lister began a relationship with punk singer Billy Idol in 1980, over whom she allegedly exerted a big influence. Lister sang the French background chorus, Les yeux sans visage for his 1984 hit single Eyes Without a Face
Eyes Without a Face (song)
"Eyes Without a Face" is a song by Billy Idol, co-written with guitarist Steve Stevens from Idol's 1983 album Rebel Yell. The song is softer and more ballad-like than most of the album's other singles.-Song information:...
., and she also performed in several of his music videos, including White Wedding
White wedding
A white wedding is a traditional formal or semi-formal wedding originating in Europe.The term originates from the white color of the wedding dress, which first became popular with Victorian era elites, after Queen Victoria wore a white lace dress at her wedding; however, the term now also...
, in which she played the bride; To Be a Lover; and she was the girl nailed to the cross in the video, Hot in the City
Hot in the City
"Hot in the City" is a 1982 song by Billy Idol, released on his self-titled album. It charted at #23 in the U.S. and #58 in the UK. A re-release of the song in the UK in 1988 reached #13.-Music video:...
which was banned by MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. She danced in the 1983 Duran Duran black-and-white
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
video, The Chauffeur, and sang backing vocals for Steve Strange
Steve Strange
Steve Strange , is a Welsh pop singer, best known as the lead singer and frontman of the 1980s pop group Visage...
's group Visage
Visage
Visage are a British New Wave rock band. Formed in 1978, the band became closely linked to the burgeoning New Romantic fashion movement of the early 1980s, and are best known for their 1980 hit "Fade to Grey".-New Wave years :...
. Lister performed on Italian television alongside Strange and another Visage backing singer, Lorraine in a mimed rendition of Fade To Grey, and on German television with the song Mind of a Toy
Mind Of A Toy
"Mind of a Toy" is the third single by the British pop group Visage, released on Polydor Records in March 1981, and also the third to be taken from Visage's eponymous debut album...
.
Lister was a member of the short-lived girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
'Boomerang' which also consisted of two former members of Kid Creole and The Coconuts
Kid Creole and the Coconuts
Kid Creole and the Coconuts is an American musical group created and led by August Darnell. Its music incorporates a variety of styles and influences, in particular "American and Latin American, South American, Caribbean, Trinidadian, Calloway" and conceptually inspired by the big band era...
, Adriana Kaegi and Cheryl Poirier. The group released an album Boomerang on the Atlantic label in 1986. They had one single, a remake of the Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sandra Sinatra is an American singer and actress. She is the daughter of singer/actor Frank Sinatra, and remains best known for her 1966 signature hit "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"....
hit, "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'
These Boots Are Made for Walkin'
Jessica Simpson recorded her own version of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" for the soundtrack to the film The Dukes of Hazzard . Simpson's cover was co-produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and was released as the soundtrack's first single in 2005)...
".
Personal life
Lister and Billy Idol together have a son, Willem Wolf Broad, who was born in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California on 15 June 1988. When an American model held a press conference claiming to be Idol's girlfriend, Lister responded by holding one of her own, maintaining that she was "and always had been Idol's girlfriend". The couple broke up in 1989.
As of 2011, Lister resides in Los Angeles. Her son Willem is a member of a rock band, FIM.
Filmography
- Kenny Everett Video Show, (1978), as a member of dance troupe Hot GossipHot Gossip-Formation:Arlene Phillips came to London to learn and teach developing American Jazz dance routines. Employed as a dance teacher, she taught at locations including the Pineapple Dance Studios and the Italia Conti Stage School. In 1974, Phillips started forming the core of a troupe; Italia Conti...
- Can't Stop The Music, (1980), in the role of a dancer
- Eternity, (1989), in the role of Wench/Sean's secretary
- Freddy's Nightmare: A Nightmare on Elm Street, (1989), television series, in the role of Lucy
- Bad Influence, (1990), in the role of Claire's friend
- Hunter, (1990), in the role of Cherry
- Michael Angel, (1998), in the role of Sylvia Masters
Discography
- The AnvilThe Anvil (album)-References:*...
, (1982), album, Polydor - Don't Take My Coconuts, (1983), album, EMI America
- DoppelgangerDoppelganger (Kid Creole and the Coconuts album)-Personnel:* The Boys In The Band - Adriana Kaegi, Bongo Eddie, Carol Colman, Charles Lagond, Cheryl Poirier, Coati Mundi, Dave Span, Ken Fradley, Kid Creole, Lee Robertson, Mark Mazur, Peter Schott, Taryn Hagey...
, (1983), album, Island Records - Rebel YellRebel Yell (album)Rebel Yell is the second album by British punk rock artist Billy Idol, released in 1983. It was very successful with four singles on the U.S. Hot 100 charts, while the album reached #6 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album charts...
, (1983), album, Chrysalis - Boomerang, (1986), album, Atlantic Records
- These Boots Are Made for Walkin'These Boots Are Made for Walkin'Jessica Simpson recorded her own version of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" for the soundtrack to the film The Dukes of Hazzard . Simpson's cover was co-produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and was released as the soundtrack's first single in 2005)...
, (1986), single, Atlantic Records