The Girl in the Video: “Midnight Blue” (1987)

Introduction to series “The Girl in the Video” (including list of interviewees).

The video: “Midnight Blue” by Lou Gramm.

The girl-now-woman: Traci Lind.

How old were you when you appeared in the “Midnight Blue” video? 

Not sure. I was born in April ‘68 and do not remember what year it was shot. I am fairly certain it came out within a month or two of shooting it, so if you know the year you can do the math. ;)

Where were you living at the time? 

Los Angeles.

What music videos, shows, or movies had you appeared in prior to that? 

Not sure. You could check IMDB if you know the year.

How were you cast? 

I honestly do not remember… The actor who was in it with me was a dear friend of mine, Joe Holland, AKA Tim Carson. We had the same agent at the time, but I think it was random that they cast us…or maybe Joe asked me to do it with him so I agreed to meet the director or whoever decided.

Joe died a few years later of complications due to AIDS…tragically just before the protease cocktails were made available. So when I saw the video on YouTube a couple of years ago (I had completely forgotten about it, which you will see as I do not have answers for most of the questions below), I was really glad that I did it, just to have footage of him young and beautiful and of the two of us together.

Do you remember what your reaction was when you were cast? 

No…

Where was the video filmed? 

Ummm…in L.A. on a few locations.

How long was the shoot? 

Two nights? I think…

How did you feel making the video? 

Nothing unusual. I was working actress and had been for some time, so being on location and night shoots were no big deal.

What was the hardest part of the shoot? 

Don’t recall anything being difficult.

How was it to work with Lou Gramm? Or did you not meet him? 

I remember him being in the makeup trailer at one point when the shoots overlapped. I think they shot footage of him in one of the outside locations Joe and I shot at later in the night.  Someone introduced us and he seemed perfectly pleasant, but I did not really know him or his music from the band he was in.

What did you think of the video? 

It was artfully shot for that period. I’ve seen it only a few times, and don’t think I ever saw it when it was airing. I didn’t watch much TV or MTV.

What did your parents think of it? 

I don’t think my mother ever saw it. If she did we never discussed it. As I said, I was working a lot at the time and this was just something I did with Joe.

What did your friends think of it? 

Ditto…

Did the video ever affect your dating life in any way (i.e. when you first told boyfriends you were the woman in it)?

No.

Did you receive fan mail? If so, do you still have any of it? 

I don’t know if there was fan mail. I do not answer fan mail, and my agents knew that, so if there was [any], they kept [it], most likely.

Did the video generate any controversy that you know of? 

Nope.

What were you paid? 

Don’t remember…

Did you watch the MTV World Premiere of the video, and if so, where and how did that feel? 

Nope.

Were you ever recognized in public? How often and when last? Any stories about that? 

Nope.

Did you appear in other music videos after that? 

Nope.

If you ever met other women who were female leads in a mainstream ‘80s rock video, who? 

Won’t say.

If you went to college, where and what did you study? 

Ditto.

What are you doing these days? 

Ditto.

 Traci in 1997

Where do you live? 

Ditto.

If you are/were married, what was your future husband’s reaction when he learned you were in this video? 

Ditto.

Kids?

Nope.

What did you think when you first heard from me? 

That I never respond to these types of inquiries, but my husband thought you asked in a nice way and that it was a low-key thing. So decided I would answer as best as I could since it I don’t remember much about it and had almost forgotten that I even did it (someone searched my name on YouTube and told me they saw it, jogging my memory…so I looked for it to see Joe). Honestly the only reason I did this was for Joe. He was a wonderful person and I loved him dearly and that video may be some of the only film footage of him…

Has anyone else ever interviewed you about this? If so, who, when, and for what publication?

Nope.

Have you appeared at any fan conventions to sign autographs? If not, would you? 

Nope. And no.

Did you stay in touch with anyone from the shoot? 

The only person I kept up with was Joe and he died in late 1994 or early 1995.

Anything you’d like to add?

Good luck with your project! Sorry I could not be of more help, and while I would be perfectly happy if you don’t use any of this, I did not glibly answer. It just didn’t mean that much to me to appear in a video. I barely watched the movies I was in. I am an intensely private person, so the whole acting thing was just the wrong path for me, and as soon as I figured out how to segue out of it, I did.

Tweet about this interview to @LouGramm!

Copy and tweet to help me find more 1980s music video girls:

Real research question: if you know the Annie Hubbard who was in 1984 Night Ranger video “Sister Christian,” pls contact @MarcTNobleman

Real research question: if you know the woman—even just her name—in 1986 Cinderella video “Shake Me,” pls contact @MarcTNobleman

Real research question: if you know woman—even just her name—in ‘87 Richard Marx video “Should’ve Known Better,” pls contact @MarcTNobleman

Next: Michael Jackson, “Smooth Criminal” (1988).

The Girl in the Video: “Your Love” (1986)

Introduction to series “The Girl in the Video” (including list of interviewees).

The video: “Your Love” by the Outfield.

The girl-now-woman: JoAnn Willette.

 

How old were you when you appeared in the “Your Love” video?

21.

Where were you living at the time?

I had an apartment in Sherman Oaks, CA.

What music videos, shows, or movies had you appeared in prior to that?

I had a part in Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2. I was Girl on Bus #2—and the first killed, I believe, in the crazy bus ride through hell with Freddy. In Real Genius I played a teenage girl at the science fair—though I was cut out of the movie. I co-starred with Sharon Stone in an episode of T.J. Hooker that they were using as a pilot for her—I think they were going to call it Mrs. Hooker; I played an abused drug addict and William Shatner gave me mouth to mouth resuscitation—a career highlight for me. I love him.

In an episode of The Facts of Life, I played a socialite and I had a recurring role on a bad nighttime soap called Rituals. I had a series regular role in an NBC pilot called High School U.S.A., which didn’t get picked up. I played a high school kid and stars from when I was little played teachers and school administrators: Ricky Nelson (his last role before he died, I believe; very nice man), Burt Ward, Barbara Billingsley, Henry Gibson, Julie Newmar, Ken Osmond, Paul Petersen, Jerry Mathers, Harriet Hilliard (Nelson). It was a thrill for me to work with them. Other kids in the cast were Crispin Glover, Anne-Marie Johnson, and Crystal Bernard.

My very first job was an episode of Hill Street Blues. I played a Catholic school girl with Ally Sheedy. Steven Bochco Taft-Hartleyed me into the union. Also at the time I did this video, I had just finished starring in an indie coming-of-age movie with Mariska Hargitay and Courtney Thorne-Smith called Welcome to 18—that’s how I got cast.

How exactly were you cast?

The director of the video—John was his name—came to the set of Welcome to 18 to watch the filming. He was friends with the cameraman, Julio Macat (who went on to be the cinematographer on films such as Home Alone). John really liked me. He approached me and asked me if I’d be “the girl” in a music video he was directing for the Outfield. I think it was shooting the following weekend. I said sure. Sounded like fun.

Do you remember what your reaction was when you were cast?

I guess my first reaction to being cast was surprise. They usually cast tall, modelly type girls for those things, which I am certainly not. I’m tiny-leggy and drop-dead is not me. But the lead singer, Tony Lewis, who sings to “the girl” and flirts with her, was not super tall so maybe that was a factor. At any rate, I was thrilled—I grew up on MTV videos, a trip to NYC—all sounded fun to me. John also directed all the Hall and Oates videos so I was interested in working with him.

Where was the video filmed?

It was shot at a soundstage in NYC—Brooklyn maybe? I don’t remember the exact location. They had a set which resembled the album cover. The guys sang on a stage and I played an artist offstage finger-painting the cover.

How long was the shoot?

We worked all day, all night, and wrapped the next morning when the sun came up. The last shot is me walking out of the studio on the street. (People think it’s the sun setting—it’s not. It’s dawn.)

How did you feel making the video?

I had a lot of fun. Never worked on something like this—so it was interesting. They blasted the playback for the song at each take—the song was great.

What was the hardest part of the shoot?

Besides staying awake at the end (didn’t think it would go so late!), the hardest part for me were the precise shots John took of my face through the glass as I was finger-painting—which I was really doing. He would try to get just my eyes, etc., and I would have to paint just in the right place where he could still see me. I thought it was very cool what he did.

How was it to work with the band? What were they like?

The band was very nice. When I met them I didn’t think John Spinks, the guitarist, liked me—refer back to the part where I’m not a leggy model—but they all treated me very well. Especially Tony Lewis—very nice guy. We had fun.

The [video] concept was the making of a music video. I was the artist/art director for it. You see me in the beginning when Tony and I meet and have the attraction moment; I’m working with another guy on the set. 

See the T-shirt he’s wearing? I still have mine that the band gave me; it’s gray, not black, but it says “Play Deep” on the back and has the Outfield logo on the front. It’s my daughter Cecilia’s prize possession. She wears it all the time.

JoAnn in the T-shirt (2013)!

What did you think of the video?

I thought it turned out great. I thought the band was very talented. I had never heard of them before I shot this with them but I thought the song would be a big hit. I really liked it—went home and couldn’t stop singing hit. Catchy tune for sure—which is why it is still a well-covered song! I certainly never anticipated how popular the video would become, though.

What did your parents think of it?

My mom and dad loved it. My twin brother said he would see it play in bars in my hometown in Maine and he would tell people (I imagine [especially] girls!) that was his sister—they were impressed. It played a lot on MTV. Like I said, I never thought I would be so recognized from it.

What did your friends think of it?

They thought it was very cool I was “the girl.” I got street cred for being a music video girl.

In the video, it looks like a member of the band was blind—was that the case in real life?

I believe he was really blind but you should check with the director. [MTN: Director John Charles Jopson said, “Yes, one band member was actually blind.”] I don’t think he or the blond guitarist were original band members. As far as I know, it was just Tony Lewis, John Spinks, and the drummer, Alan Jackman. Maybe [the other] two were hired just for the video?

At one point, John Spinks comes over to you and says something that makes you laugh and shake your head. Any chance you remember what that was? Was it a planned line that you were supposed to react to, or spontaneous?

The director told me John would come down and flirt with me. Didn’t know what he was going to do but I do remember he said something funny and winked, which made me laugh. I was supposed to be friendly. John’s very cute, but I was supposed to share moments of attraction and flirt with Tony.

Did the video ever affect your dating life in any way (i.e. when you first told boyfriends you were the woman in it)?

That was always funny to me. When dates would find out I was a music video girl, they all wanted to see it—my other work, not so much. I got rock-star-by-proxy status.

I think men are [prone] to fantasize over the girl in videos who is sought out, pined over by singers…the focus of their love or lust. Men were hard-wired to like these women in videos—especially in the beginning of the MTV craze. The women didn’t talk, didn’t have names, but were desired…the “it girl”—gotta have her. Even today, when a date watches this video again—so impressed with me. “You were the girl in ‘Your Love’?” Their head explodes. They all remember this song, where they were in their life—making out to this video with whatever high school girlfriend they had at the time.

Did you receive fan mail? If so, do you still have any of it?

I actually did receive fan mail for this video—they would send it to my agent. I don’t think I still have any though.

Do you know how fans found out how to send you fan mail? Your name was not in the video, let alone your agent’s!

Fans of mine would recognize me in the video, call Screen Actor’s Guild (anyone can call the guild and ask who represents an actor; you can get info on up to three actors in one call), and then send fan letters to the agency and ask them to forward to the actor, which they do.

You may recall the tragic death of Rebecca Schaeffer, who was a friend of mine. We worked together on My Sister Sam, an episode called “If You Knew Susie.” (I played Susie.) I also worked with Rebecca on an episode of Amazing Stories called “Miscalculations.” Rebecca’s address was obtained by a simple inquiry at the DMV. Her murder brought an awareness to the dangers of personal information in the wrong hands. It changed our industry and brought about new stalking laws.

Through my agent, I have gotten fan mail from prisoners. The warden sends them after blackening out inappropriate content (sometimes there is quite a lot of black on the page). They are almost always very polite fan letters—otherwise the state would never forward them, of course. They usually tell you what they are in for and ask for a signed photo…and at times even tell you that they plan on selling it. They send stamped envelopes self-addressed back to the prison.

Sometimes I get fan mail sent directly to my home by a fan. I am always amazed that people are able to find my home address. I never ever respond to those. It’s not safe to confirm to anyone where you live.

Did the video generate any controversy that you know of?

I am unaware of any controversy. The video is actually pretty tame, sweet—a couple of the band members just flirt with me. Partial controversy maybe later in that this song is featured in a rated-M video game, which introduces it to a whole new younger fan base who associate it very differently than when we saw it on MTV or heard it on the radio.

What were you paid?

The production didn’t have much of a budget. The director really wanted me to do it so he personally paid for my flight and gave me a couple hundred bucks out of his pocket—even offered to let me stay with him in NYC—but I stayed with my brother John, who worked in the Twin Towers at the time.

Did you watch the MTV World Premiere of the video, and if so, where and how did that feel?

I did not see the world premiere, but saw it a lot after, play after play.

Were you ever recognized in public? How often and when last? Any stories about that?

I got recognized quite a lot in public after that, which surprised me. It lasted as long as that video was in play. Though now, online, people guess who the girl is. Only once did I see someone identify me.

Did you appear in other music videos after that?

This was the one and only music video I ever appeared in. Later, when I starred in an ABC/Warner Brothers sitcom called Just the Ten of Us (a Growing Pains spinoff), my three sitcom sisters and I formed an all-girl rock band called the Lubbock Babes. We performed ourselves on the show and were offered a record deal with Warner Brothers (which we turned down because two of the girls didn’t want to do it. I wanted to do it, though).

We even sang the national anthem at a Dodgers Game once. Tommy Lasorda was the manager and I still have the baseball that Orel Hershiser signed to me. I was also a lead singer in a rock band called the Imperials when I was 16. We headlined at my local VFW club every Friday and Saturday night. So I was always on the other side—in the band, not “the girl”…

Why didn’t two of the Lubbock Babes want to take the recording contract?

One got advice that doing an album might ruin her career—[cause her to] not be taken seriously, and that convinced another girl. WB really wanted us to do it. A couple of music representatives and my producers met with me and asked me to please talk to the girls about it and try to convince them how important it would be for the show in marketing, etc., and how it would be good for them, too. I was the oldest of the four and they thought I might have influence over them. They stuck to their decision, though. It’s too bad because the episodes that involved us singing at the pizza parlor were the highest rated. Ironically, kids singing in TV shows is a matter of course these days on Disney, Nickelodeon, ABC Family—it’s become a successful formula. I think we were before our time.

If you ever met other women who were female leads in a mainstream ‘80s rock video, who?

I’ve never met anyone else [who did] a video.

If you went to college, where and what did you study?

I went to UCLA and studied theater, film, and television. I started in 1982, left in ‘86 because I was working so much as an actress. I went back to school (while being a cougar was still in!) and finished earning my BA in 2011. Such a rewarding experience.

Do you mean “cougar” as in the popular slang meaning these days? And if so, is it no longer in to be a cougar? (I hadn’t heard!)

I do mean the slang reference—and I do hope it’s not out of fashion yet!

What did you get your BA degree in?

I have a degree from the Theater and Film School. I have a theater degree and I earned a minor in film studies.

What are you doing these days?

I am a single mother of two great teenage kids. My son Luca is 15 and my daughter Cecilia is 14. I’m still acting, writing (including a one-woman show based on my life), producing, and starting an accessory company with my sister. I was selected as a quarter-finalist for the 2013 Page International Screenwriting Awards for my screenplay Will To Live. Out of 5,682 scripts submitted, my comedy made it as one of the top 10%.

What can you tell me about the one-woman show?

It is still a work in progress. It will be stories of outrageous but normal-for-me stories. I have friends who say “It could only happen to you.” The working title is No Ordinary Jo.

Where do you live?

I live in Beverly Hills, CA.

If you are/were married, what was your future husband’s reaction when he learned you were in this video?

I am divorced but my ex-husband thought it was pretty cool I was in this video.

What do your kids think of the video?

My son says it’s pretty cool I was in that and my daughter thinks it was awesome. She loves [the] Katy Perry [version, “Use Your Love”], too!

What did you think when you first heard from me?

I couldn’t believe you wanted to interview me. I am always surprised at the impact this video had/has.

Has anyone else ever interviewed you about this? If so, who, when, and for what publication?

I’ve never been interviewed about this before nor do I know if the guys were.

Have you appeared at any fan conventions to sign autographs? If not, would you?

I have appeared at fan conventions for my other work but not for this video. I might, though, if asked.

Did you stay in touch with the band after the shoot?

I actually dated the director after for a short while after. He was very nice to me. I’ve lost touch with him, though.

When was the last time you were in touch with the band?

I haven’t seen the band since that night we worked together. I’m a big fan of theirs, however.

How do you look back on the experience?

I look back on this experience very fondly. I’m glad I was a small part of something that was a big deal in my generation. The MTV rock video was all the rage then and this song holds a lot of meaning for people who grew up with it. Also, it’s fun to see artists like Katy Perry cover it now.

Anything you’d like to add?

One thing. The hairdresser that night talked me into cutting my hair in this very cool, punk rock haircut after we wrapped. I was tired and didn’t think too hard on the decision. Although I like the cut, the producers of Friday the 13th, Part 6 (I think) did not. When I returned from NYC, I got a screen test for one of the leads and they were pissed I cut my hair off. It cost me the role…

Lastly, were you Josie?

Gosh, I have wondered that, too—am I Josie? Wouldn’t that be romantic! I don’t think I get to be the girlfriend, though. I don’t think I’m Josie. Tony sings, “You know, I like my girls a little bit older”—then they cut to me. I look pretty young in the video! Then he sings, “I just want to use your love tonight.” I think I’m the girl he sings about. The secret girl of the night. I think he wants “my love” [just] for the evening. After all, Josie’s on a vacation far away.

Tweet about this interview to @The_Outfield_ and @JoAnnWillette!

Copy and tweet to help me find more 1980s music video girls:

Real research question: if you know the Annie Hubbard who was in 1984 Night Ranger video “Sister Christian,” pls contact @MarcTNobleman

Real research question: if you know the woman—even just her name—in 1986 Cinderella video “Shake Me,” pls contact @MarcTNobleman

Real research question: if you know woman—even just her name—in ‘87 Richard Marx video “Should’ve Known Better,” pls contact @MarcTNobleman

Next: Lou Gramm, “Midnight Blue” (1987).

The Girl in the Video: “Addicted to Love” (1986), part 3 of 3

Part 1.

Part 2.

Introduction to series “The Girl in the Video” (including list of interviewees).

This is the first-ever group interview with all five of the women who portrayed the band in Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love” video.

What are you doing these days?

Julie: Enjoying work and motherhood. Dabbling with the properties I bought thanks to a lucrative modeling career. I have been retailing Indian leather bound journals in the UK for some years (any excuse to indulge in the culture of that country) but this is now taking a backseat to a business I started after having my son. It’s an online mail order company selling an eclectic mix of children’s gifts—anything from frothy tutus and sparkly shoes to educational science museum kits. Another excuse to travel far and wide to design and source new products.
Patty: I work with landscape designers and architects. I have two children and I [got] married June 22, 2013 in Los Angeles.
Kathy: I am living in Phuket, Thailand, and am involved in various charities. [I asked for elaboration] I am on the board of a charity set up by my late friend, Tom McNamara—the Phuket Has Been Good to Us Foundation, providing English classes to underprivileged. [I’m also on the board of] The Good Shepherd Phuket, an organization that helps school the children of migrant Burmese workers and helps women who have been trafficked for the sex trade.
Mak: A bit of modeling from time to time, but my main focus and energy is on the Edible Bus Stop (@EdibleBusStop), a project I co-founded two years ago. We’ve had some great publicity and last year were invited to 10 Downing Street by the Prime Minister and were nominated for an Observer Ethical Award, the Green Oscars.

Julia: I’m a hair and makeup artist.

 Julie

 Patty

Kathy

 Mak

Julia

Kathy, when did you move to Thailand, and why?

Kathy: About 12 years ago. I fell in love with the people and the country and then my husband started working here.

Where do the rest of you live?

Julie: Still loving the buzz of London.
Patty: Los Angeles.
Mak: Brixton, [a part of] London.
Julia: London.

If you are/were married, what was your future husband’s reaction when he learned you were in this video?

Julie: Quietly impressed and amused by the impact it stirred up. But the video was part and parcel of a long modeling career so in itself did not have much impact on our lives.
Patty: My ex-husband, Jonathan Elias, wrote the original score for the MTV music show [the MTV jingle]. It was a sweet part of our meeting.
Kathy: I am married now, but at the time we were friends [and] he thought it was great.
Mak: ;o)
Julia: He was, I think, a little shocked and probably didn’t entirely believe me!

Patty, fascinating that the man behind the MTV theme married the lead woman of one of the most iconic MTV videos. How did you meet Jonathan—was it via the MTV connection?

Patty: I met Jonathan at a birthday party through mutual friends. We did not connect our MTV experiences until later, maybe on our second or third date. Jonathan is a composer and was living in New York in the ‘80s, working with Duran Duran at the time.

What does your new husband do?

Patty: My new husband, Michael Rosenfeld, is a real estate developer in Los Angeles.

Patty in 2010

Kids?

Julie: An 8-year-old boy.
Patty: Lilli Elias, 17, and Jack Elias, 12.
Kathy: No kids, but nine godchildren who reacted over the years with “Wow, that’s great!” to “How embarrassing!”
Mak: No.
Julia: Two girls, 13 and 7 years.

What do they think of the video?

Julie: [My son] thinks it’s very cool and has recently started telling anyone who will listen that his mum was in a famous video. The low profile is now in jeopardy.
Patty: They think it is hysterical. It is hard for them to believe that Mommy had such a glamorous life!
Julia: They think it’s cool (their word)!

What did you think when you first heard from me?

Julie: “Is he legit?”
Patty: “Hmmmm.”
Kathy: “Oh God, it was such a long time ago.”
Mak: “Gosh, that video will never leave me!” LOL!
Julia: “Another interview!”

What other interviews about the video have you done?

Julie: I’m flaky with who/what/when. Ask Mak…
Patty: I have had offers to be interviewed a lot. I don’t take it very serious. I did a show back in ‘94…not sure what it was. Lame interview.
Kathy: News of the World did a “where are they now” article a while ago.
Mak: Loads! Can’t even begin to name them all!
Julia: We have done a few over the years, the I Want My MTV book, and a [show] for VH1 called “Video Vixens.”
 
Patty, I had a hard time finding you and I’ve done this a lot. How have others tracked you down?

Patty: People have tracked me down through my old agency in London, Models 1. Or through word of mouth. I never answer!

When you say you don’t take interview requests very seriously, does that mean you said no to most (or all) of them? If so, what made you say yes to this one?

Patty: Throughout the last 20 years, I have heard many people reference the “Addicted to Love” video and talk about who the girls are or were. It is always so funny to hear people talk as if they know! Most people really have no clue who the original girls were…including me! I think it was me, Julie Pankhurst, Julie [Julia], Mak, and who? So you can see that I don’t take this very seriously… But it was so nice to hear from Julie Pankhurst! How can anyone say no to Julie? I would love to see her!

Have you appeared at any fan conventions to sign autographs? If not, would you?

Julie: I haven’t done so. Never say never.
Patty: No, I have not. I would do it just to see all of the girls!
Kathy: No and no.
Mak: No.
Julia: No, but maybe…

Did you stay in touch with Robert Palmer and/or each other after the shoot?

Julie: Not with RP but I worked many times with Donovan. We girls often saw each other through work (Mak and Patty were also with Models 1). Patty became a good friend when we both spent time in Australia at the end of the ‘80s. We lost touch when she moved back to the States but I’m hoping you can track her down so that we can get back in touch! Julia and I are great friends. I haven’t seen Kathy for years. I became a photographic agent when I stopped modeling and last saw her at a fantastic exhibition she organized for Fashion Acts Aids charity. Our photographers donated some photos to help raise money for it.
Patty: I was lucky to stay in touch with Robert and his management team for a few years since we were still working together. Then, we all carried on…I moved back to America in 1991 and stopped modeling soon after.
Kathy: No contact with Robert, but I stayed in touch with Julia.
Mak: Not Mr. Palmer, but occasionally me and a couple of the girls get brought together for a shoot or interview.
Julia: I saw Robert on a shoot a few years before he sadly died. I am good friends with Julie and see her once a month.

When was the last time you were in touch with each other?

Julie: Mak, 2006—VH1 feature; Patty, early ‘90s; Kathy, mid-‘90s—Fashion Acts exhibition; Julia, weekly.
Patty: I really haven’t been in touch with any of them. I always ask about Mak and Julie—both such loves!
Kathy: Not for a long time…until a week ago [April 2013], when Julia sent me a message about you.
Mak: Last year.
Julia: I’m Facebook friends with Mak and Kathy, but don’t seem to have enough time to see them. Would love to though.

Mak, Julie, Julia in 2006

Mak, Julie, Julia in 2013, at Julia's wedding reception...at which they re-enacted the video:

“Just an adoring line of women in front of us, whooping and cheering along, 

and behind them stunned men not quite knowing what to do with themselves.”

(Mak: “You can even credit me as happily divorced! Ha ha!”)

How did you find out that Robert Palmer had died [2003]?

Julie: In the news.
Patty: I was sitting in my kitchen listening to the news. I was still so sad that Johnny Cash had just died a week or so before. It really isn’t fair. Robert was way too young.
Kathy: On the radio. It was incredibly sad.
Mak: A friend texted me. Was very sad to hear it.
Julia: National television.

How do you look back on the experience?

Julie: With a smile.
Patty: The experience is and was just fantastic. It is such a funny little detail to have about oneself. Not everyone can say that they were lucky enough to participate in a piece of music history. I feel blessed!
Kathy: With pride to be part of video history.
Mak: I had no idea at the time it was to become so iconic or such a pivotal moment in music videos. I was very successful at the time and it didn’t register for me, as I was more focused on getting high-end magazine covers and big campaigns. In hindsight, of course, I acknowledge it. It is a legacy I am proud to be a part of.
Julia: Now that I’m older I think it was an amazing thing to have been part of and I’m so glad I got to work with Terence Donovan and four of the coolest girls I have met.

Anything you’d like to add?

Julie: A few years ago, a student from Australia asked for help with his college project about iconic women of the ‘80s. I don’t have his questions but [here are excerpts from my] reply:

I did this video at the beginning of my modeling career and it was a great introduction for other work. I got jobs directly as a result of the video but also because of working with Donovan. I was the keyboard player in the video.

At the time of filming, nobody had any idea that it would be so iconic. RP had apparently released the song previously without a video, and it had bombed, so they were taking a big financial risk by re-releasing it.

The director Terence Donovan came up with the concept for the video and his intention was to portray strong and confident women—hence the black dresses, slicked hair, and red lips—known at that time as “power dressing.”

But there were two issues of protest. Firstly there was a feminist uproar. They felt we were portrayed as sexual objects and as such, exploited. We didn’t feel we were doing womanhood an injustice! From our perspective, the image of us Donovan had hoped to portray in the video was indicative of the assertiveness of women in the UK during the ‘80s. We had a very strong female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, who was an inspiration for many women.

Secondly, the musicians union initially banned the video from mainstream television because we were models, not musicians, playing instruments. From what I understood at the time, we were not allowed to imitate playing instruments.

Donovan (now deceased) was a very successful photographer/director since the ‘60s. He tended to select models that were both good looking and confident, and that criteria was applicable to this video.

The song is about addictions. Due to the nature of the lyrics, we were directed to show little expression. RP sang of obsessive emotions and in contrast we reciprocated with little emotion.

RP shot the video with us and was quite shy!

RP did not want to be remembered for the “Addicted to Love” girls. He had a successful career prior to the video, but this video (and the subsequent videos) definitely revived his career and brought with it a whole new audience. But the videos tended to eclipse him, and for that reason he did not appreciate the attention we were getting. Rather ungracious considering he made millions from the songs to these videos!

We were asked to do a show with RP in Spain but all declined due to work commitments. We have done occasional TV appearances/press.

On the whole we have not outwardly sought publicity. Tons of girls have claimed to be in the video. Generally this doesn’t bother us but we did complain to a UK press for publishing high-profile articles about Susie Verrico, a contestant on the UK Big Brother program. They printed an image of me alongside her claim to be the keyboard player. The British press also published that she was a stripper, so naturally we didn’t want to be associated with her!

Patty: Good luck! Let’s get all of the girls together. I have a feeling you could do it!

6/14/14 addendum: Last night, all five did indeed reunite for the first time since the 1986 shoot.

Tweet about this interview to @_ms_mak and @Juliabolinoslap!

Copy and tweet to help me find more 1980s music video girls:

Real research question: if you know the Annie Hubbard who was in 1984 Night Ranger video “Sister Christian,” pls contact @MarcTNobleman

Real research question: if you know the woman—even just her name—in 1986 Cinderella video “Shake Me,” pls contact @MarcTNobleman

Real research question: if you know woman—even just her name—in ‘87 Richard Marx video “Should’ve Known Better,” pls contact @MarcTNobleman

Next: The Outfield, “Your Love” (1986).

The Girl in the Video: “Addicted to Love” (1986), part 2 of 3

Part 1. 

Introduction to series “The Girl in the Video” (including list of interviewees).

This is the first-ever group interview with all five of the women who portrayed the band in Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love” video.

What did you think of the video?

Julie: Loved it! I thought it was totally original and I loved the passion it evoked from many walks of life (it appealed to the male population for obvious reasons; many women felt empowered by it; some musicians resented it; and there was an outcry in the feminist camp). It did and still does appeal across the generations.
Patty: I think that the video is fantastic. It is an icon in the world of music videos!
Kathy: I thought it was great, very ‘80s.
Mak: At the time I was so embarrassed. I didn’t really do that kind of overtly sexy modeling. I did more sophisticated stuff or fresh-faced smiley shoots. This was really vampy and the reactions I got from people when they realized I was one of the girls started to freak me out. I couldn’t understand why that video was getting so much attention. Why we were considered so sexy…?
Julia: I hated it at the time as it was me up there but now as I’m older I can be more objective and I think it’s great.

Mak opening mouth, which was startling 

since all had been close-lipped up till that point

Patty opening mouth, the second and last 

of the women to do so in the video

What did your parents think of it?

Julie: Of it, or of me in it? Interestingly, I’ve never asked them but I sensed pride (and relief that this gave an indication of good things to come).
Patty: My parents could not believe it. They saw it way before I did and most likely did not even know it was me. I never told them anything I was doing. They lived in America and we did not have cell phones back then, so we did not speak that frequently. When I spoke to them, I rarely spoke to them about work!
Kathy: I think they were just happy I was getting work!
Mak: Thought it was great, didn’t have a problem with it at all. Not that either of them saw it for a while because they didn’t watch music videos. So they only saw it once it had started to get loads of attention.
Julia: Difficult to tell as they weren’t into that kind of music. But overall pretty proud.

What did your friends think of it?

Julie: Friends in the modeling world were very gracious about it. Friends outside the modeling world thought it very cool, but made sure I kept my feet firmly on the ground!
Patty: I have no idea. We did not see it much in England.
Kathy: I think they thought it was quite cool to be a part of such a talked-about video.
Mak: They were the ones who were telling me, “Mak, you have no idea how massive the video is and how impressed or infatuated people are with your appearance in it.” I was so busy traveling I hadn’t really cottoned on to how huge it had become. I’d get really shy (still do to an extent!) if they’d tell people in front of me that I was the “bass player” because all of a sudden people get all “No! Really? Wow!” or sometimes get a weird look on their faces, especially boys…ahem…
Julia: My friends thought it was great although I was overseas when it first came out so some of the impact was lost.

Did the video ever affect your dating life in any way (i.e. when you first told boyfriends you were in it)?

Julie: Ha…I can’t imagine any of us bragging to our boyfriends about being in the video but one way or another they seemed to find out.
Patty: I never really mentioned the video to anyone, mostly because I stayed in Europe until the early ‘90s. If anyone knew, though, it always led to a fun conversation. People were pretty taken by how popular it was. In hindsight, I feel like the video may have been more popular than the song itself.
Kathy: I’d love to say yes, but I don’t think so. I had an ex who was a drummer—he loved it.
Mak: Ummm…well, I was in a long-term relationship at the time, but since then, it’s not something I’d introduce myself as. But when I tell whoever, they tend to be quite impressed…
Julia: I have never been proactive in telling people (too English!) and have let people know only when I know them a little better, but when they have found out, they have been pretty amazed!

Julie then

 

Julia then 

Did you receive fan mail? If so, do you still have any of it?

Julie: Not that I remember. Google wasn’t invented [yet] (!) so it wasn’t easy to track us down. Maybe [the] Julie Pankhurst [who founded UK social networking site] Friends Reunited has been inundated with “Addicted to Love” fan mail!
Patty: I am sure I did, but I did not take it very serious!
Kathy: No, definitely not…but the agency [got] a lot of calls…
Mak: I still receive fan mail, but via email or people following me on Twitter @_ms_mak.
Julia: I used to get some sent to my agent when I was modeling, but I haven’t kept anything. Some guy on the Internet set up a fan page of me.

Julie, you sent two versions of the sleeve/cover to the single—is that you on both of them?

Julie: Yes.

Do you know why they chose you, and did the others say anything about that?

Julie: I haven’t a clue why I got to grace the cover[s]. I haven’t really thought about it before but I’m sure the girls didn’t lose any sleep over it. It was shot by a photographer called Ashworth and designed by Island Art. I’m assuming they are connected to Island Records.

Did the video generate any controversy that you know of?

Julie: It did. Ironically I imagine that is partly why it became such a cult video of the ‘80s. (More on this below.)
Patty: Not that I know of.
Kathy: Not that I know of, although as it was copied so much, it can only be good…
Mak: I think there were discussions at the time at the objectification of women. I think that missed the point, though. The brief from Terence Donovan was to look like shop window mannequins. I guess his reasoning was that in so many videos women were being blatantly objectified so why not poke fun at that and offer something they’ll never be able to get hold of. We didn’t have a come-hither look in our eyes. It was a look but you can’t touch. We were dangerous ornaments. Out of reach and perfect accessories to Mr. Palmer’s bespoke tailored suit.
Julia: Yes, it had the feminists up-in-arms. They felt it was a bad portrayal of women. I always thought it was a great video with very powerful images of women looking in control.

What were you paid?

Julie: We were paid £500, which was the standard rate for pop videos back then. [But] bearing in mind the mega-bucks it generated…peanuts!
Patty: I think we were paid 250 pounds a day. I don’t really remember but I remember thinking that it was very little. Now that I look back, I know that it was very little!
Kathy: A few hundred pounds.
Mak: ;o)
Julia: I can’t remember. I know it was good as I was more excited with the fee than the fact that I had got the video!

Did you watch the MTV World Premiere of the video, and if so, where and how did that feel?

Julie: I didn’t see it. But we quickly became aware that it was one of MTV’s most popular videos at the time.
Patty: No.
Kathy: No, I missed it as I was working in Japan at the time.
Mak: No, didn’t even know they had one. I was so busy working.
Julia: I missed it! I was modeling in Japan at the time.

Were you ever recognized in public? How often and when last? Any stories about that?

Julie: It’s funny that we have been recognized in public, considering slicked-back hair and pouty red lips isn’t the usual morning makeup routine, but occasionally it has happened. Apparently they guess from the eyes. The school playground was one of the more recent times (prior to my son’s knowledge of it so can’t hold him responsible!). That spread like wildfire!
Patty: I was never recognized, and I think that this was quite on purpose. Terence wanted all of the women to be unrecognizable…ambiguous, vague, obscure…that was the point. Beautiful sexy women…but they could have been anyone.
Kathy: No, sorry!
Mak: Never. The makeup and hair made me look completely different than how I do in real life.
Julia: I have a lot of people say they recognize me from something but they can’t put their finger on what. It’s an easy video to go incognito.

 Julie then

 This article about “I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On” mentions Kathy.

Did you appear in other music videos after that?

Julie: With Harry Connick, Jr. in “Recipe for Love.” Patty and I were in the Robert Palmer “Simply Irresistible” U.S. Pepsi commercial in 1989.
Patty: Yes, I did—again with Robert Palmer in “I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On.” And then again in the Pepsi commercial with Robert singing “Simply Irresistible.”
Mak: There was a Bryan Ferry one, but you can’t really see me in it.
Kathy and Julia: (see earlier in interview)

If you ever met other women who were female leads in a mainstream ‘80s rock video, who?

Julie: Yes, but foggy memory cells = forgotten whom.
Patty: I know that there are many, but I no longer know them.
Kathy: No, I didn’t.
Mak: Can’t think of any off the top of my head, but there must be models I know who have done some.
Julia: Debra Lang was with my agency and a friend. She was in a Queen video and ended up marrying Roger Taylor.

If you went to college, where and what did you study?

Julie: I trained in childcare and launched into modeling after a few years as a nanny for a photographic agent and commercials director.
Patty: I went to UCLA in the ‘90s and studied art history. I did my internship at a photography gallery named G. Ray Hawkins, which specialized in the sale of vintage photographs. Fifteen years later, I went back to the extension program at UCLA and studied horticulture.
Kathy: No, I left school at 16 having been scouted by a model agent.
Mak: London College of Printing, Graphics and Design.
Julia: I didn’t go to university. I was modeling from 16.

Tweet about this interview to @_ms_mak and @Juliabolinoslap!

Part 3.

The Girl in the Video: “Addicted to Love” (1986), part 1 of 3

Introduction to series “The Girl in the Video” (including list of interviewees).

The video: “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer.

The girls-now-women: see below.

I’m gonna have to face it. I’m addicted to finding and interviewing pop culture fixtures who have rarely if ever been interviewed before.

And I’m particularly pumped about this entry in the 1980s music video series because it is the first article ever to include all five original Robert Palmer women from “Addicted to Love”:

• Julia Bolino
• Kathy Davies
• Patty Elias (Patty Kelly)
• Mak Gilchrist
• Julie Pankhurst

Let’s do that again, but from left to right when watching the video:

• Julie Pankhurst (keyboard)
• Patty Elias (guitar)
• Kathy Davies (drums)
• Mak Gilchrist (bass)
• Julia Bolino (guitar)

[In some online postings the order is different, but both Mak and Julie confirmed that the above is correct.]

Julie

 Patty

 Mak

Julia

Unfortunately, due to logistics (addressed below), Kathy did not get a close-up.

Not one but two of them (Patty and Julia) got married the summer of 2013.

Patty was the hardest to find and, to be precise, I did not find her. Julie had not been in recent touch but had a lead, and luckily, it panned out. Thank you again, Julie, for enabling us to complete the set and achieve the first virtual reunion of what many would consider the most visually memorable “band” in music video history.

Hopefully an in-person reunion will follow…

How old were you when you appeared in the “Addicted to Love” video?

Julie: 21.
Patty: I believe that the video was shot in 1985. Could have been ‘84. You can confirm. I was 18 in 1984. [MTN: The video came out in 1986.]
Kathy: 24.
Mak: 21.
Julia: 19.

 Julie then

 

Kathy then

Mak then

Julia then

Where were you living at the time?

Julie: London.
Patty: I was living in London, a model with Models 1 on Kings Road.
Kathy: I was living in Hampstead with another model friend. I grew up in South Kensington.
Mak: Paris and London.
Julia: London.

Patty, you were the only American of the five. Where did you grow up?

Patty: I grew up [through] my pre-teens in Deer Park, Long Island. Then my family moved to Longmont, CO to try “ranching.” I left home for Tokyo at 17, the day after I graduated high school.

What music videos, shows, or movies had you appeared in prior to that?

Julie: None (eeks, what was that about “not one-line answers”…?) [MTN: I asked participants to be as forthcoming as possible and avoid single-line answers.]
Patty: This was [the] early period in music video history. Truth be told, I didn’t know what a music video was. I had been living in Europe, not watching much television, so I did not know about MTV or music videos.
Kathy: I was in the video for “Figures” by Zaine Griff [the woman who walks straight at the camera close to the beginning of the video] and also one directed by Paul McCartney, a Jamaican reggae group called the Simeons; I honestly don’t remember [the name]. I was also in Octopussy, just another Bond girl.

Mak: I’d done plenty of commercials.

1987

Julia: A Rod Stewart video and one (“All the Love in the World”) for a band called The Outfield.

Kathy, what was it like to work with Paul McCartney?

Kathy: Great. It was a family affair as Linda came to the studio with the kids. He was incredibly charming and kind. He was very relaxed and made everyone feel comfortable.

How were you cast?

Julie: I had just joined Models 1 model agency and Terence Donovan (a photographer and the director of the video) held a casting at his studio. He based his decision on looks and persona.
Patty: I was cast by Terence Donovan and I believe that I was the prototype for the casting. Terence and I had shot several ads for Neutrogena and he was familiar with me and the way I looked on film.
Kathy: Strangely, I didn’t go to any casting. I was just booked direct at the agency.
Mak: I didn’t go to a casting. I was known to the director, Terence Donovan, and he booked me direct via my agent.
Julia: A normal casting with the director Terence Donovan; they looked at my portfolio and took a Polaroid pic.

Do you remember what your reaction was when you were cast?

Julie: Being a model was very new to me so every booking was a great adventure. To work with one of our legendary photographers so soon gave positive vibes for the potential of my career.
Patty: My reaction was total bliss. I was young and game for anything—especially anything that Terence Donovan was working on. Everything he did at the time was magic.
Kathy: I was very excited when I heard I [would be] working with Terence Donovan again and doing a video.
Mak: I had no idea then what this video would become. It was just another booking, except this one was with someone whose music I liked. I wasn’t easily starstruck.
Julia: I had never heard of Robert Palmer at the time as I think I was more into funk bands, so not overly excited!

Kathy, why were you assigned to be the drummer?

Kathy: I guess the naughty ones always get sent to the back!

Did it bother you that you were blocked by Robert Palmer for most of the video?

Kathy: Not really. He had a good bum.

Where was the video filmed? How long was the shoot?

Julie: It was a very small production in the depths of Holborn Studios, in central London. The shoot took one day and Donovan liked to work in a relaxed manner so it was a very chilled day. Prep in the morning (hair, makeup, and styling) followed by a long lazy lunch and then RP arrived for the filming.
Patty: The video was filmed in a studio in London. I don’t remember where, but I remember that the tea cart always rolled in about 3 in the afternoon. Union, I think! I believe that the shoot was either three days or five…probably three.
Mak: Holborn Studios in Back Hill [London], in a basement. One day.
Julia: It was filmed in Holborn Studios (sadly now closed). It took one day. We started at 8:00 a.m. (?) and finished around 7:00 (?).

Was this shoot the first time you met the others, or did you already know them?

Julie: I may have met Patty and Mak at Models 1 but most probably at the casting because the shoot was just after I joined the agency. I met Julia and Kathy at the shoot.

How did you feel making the video?

Julie: It wasn’t every day we got to be involved in a pop video so the whole experience was great fun.
Patty: Since I had never seen a music video before, I was unsure of what was going on. We spent many hours in makeup and then we would come out and the music would start. It really felt quite experimental.
Kathy: It was a great day. We all had a lot of fun and there was a terrific atmosphere.
Mak: Hmmm, well, the makeup was transforming, I barely recognized myself. The other girls and creative team were all lovely so there was a great vibe. I didn’t feel nervous. I was working hard at that stage so took it in my stride.
Julia: It was a really fun day. I got to pretend to be a stroppy [bad-tempered or hostile] lead guitarist!

What was the hardest part of the shoot?

Julie: Keyboards…playing to cue! Not such a tough shoot.
Patty: The hardest part may have been the makeup. It took a long time and it was quite heavy.
Kathy: Leaving! We all got on well.
Mak: There wasn’t a hardest part. It was an easy day.
Julia: Having lip gloss applied every three seconds!

How was it to work with Robert Palmer?

Julie: He was polite and the ultimate professional…and of course he was exceptional at performing on cue!

We had very little interaction with him because…

1. He clinched the song in a few takes so the group filming was very fast.
2. He seemed rather intimidated by five ladies towering above him.
3. His wife was present…!

Clearly if Robert Palmer had been a heartthrob of my generation, I would have been less blasé about his presence!
Patty: Robert Palmer was always a professional and a gentleman. He took great care of us always.
Kathy: It was great and he was very friendly and happy with the shoot.
Mak: Well, he’s a legend…and was a humble guy with it. You could tell he was a hardworking man who took his music seriously. I had a conversation with him about his using Sly and Robbie, a Jamaican drum and bass duo, on his album. I asked him about what it was like to work with them.
Julia: He was very polite and a little remote (his wife was there!).

Tweet about this interview to @_ms_mak and @Juliabolinoslap!

Part 2.