Mari Wilson, 80s UK pop glamourpuss, is our guest in this possibly career defining show for Maynard. From Neasden to New York, from “Just What I Always Wanted” to “The Eyes Have It” via “Ecstasy” and much carry on over the decades, Maynard and Mari have a grand old chinwag.
Joining fellow Neasden immortals such as Twiggy, Gerry Anderson and Bob Marley… Mari Wilson still often wonders what was the deal with the Neasden Sea Scouts, as Neasden is 40 miles away from the sea.
“I’ve got a thing about Tupperware. You’ve got to know the right way to let air out of it.”
Mari Wilson – Tupperist
Mari Wilson with her 1983 Tupperware collection.
Mari working on that beehive at home. Photo by ANL/Shutterstock
Mari having a musical good time in 2022.
Mari Wilson with her parents 1982. (Daily Mail)
Mari Wilson’s iconic Showpeople album cover 1983.
Mari Wilson demonstrates the peril of doing a calendar photo shoot with limited headroom for her famous beehive. By the legendary Adrian Boot. As mentioned in the show, Mari was wearing that June outfit during the recording of Showpeople. (It’s Crimplene.)
Mari Wilson’s dates supporting Level 42 in UK in November 2022.
Witness the quick change power of Mari during Baby It’s True. Thrill to this audience of Dutch New Romantics.
Mari on Dutch Top Pop show 1984.
Mari Wilson live performance of Cry Me A River on The Tube 1984 with her strings the Prawn Cocktails.
Mari with Matt Backer – The Eyes Have It.
Maynard’s research, a selection of Mari Wilson press 1980s.
“I may have overresearched this interview…”
– Maynard (overresearching )
Watch all the Mari Wilson video clips Maynard could find. A Mari Wilson video special.
Watch Mari on Top of The Pops with her fans and band having a great time 1982.
Mari Wilson’s site
What was The Castanet Club anyway?
Official looking transcript of Maynard’s interview with Mari Wilson
Maynard: Valued listener, only three musical artists deserve their very own section in my extensive music collection. They are ABBA, Tom Jones and our guest today, Mari Wilson.
From an early beginning in the backyard bathtub in Neasden, to the bright lights of New York City and Crouch End, Mari has wowed the world with her albums such as Showpeople, The Rhythm Romance, Pop Deluxe and Emotional Glamour. And the singles: from the perfect 80s pop of Just What I Always Wanted, to the cinematically dangerous Would I Dance with a Stranger, to any of the belting heartfelt ballads on Pop Deluxe, Mari’s worked with Boy George, Mark Almond, Heaven 17, not to mention Harry, Barry, Larry, Gary, Cary and, of course, Jim.
Despite never realising her lifelong dream of owning a donkey by the seaside, Mari has succeeded in breathing life and laughter into her catchphrase: it's a glamourous song and it's glamorously sung.
My favourite UK Type 1 diabetic, please welcome Miss Beehive, The Neasden Queen of Soul, eat drink and be Mari! In fact, be Mari McMillan Ramsey Wilson!
