Marilyn

Marilyn

There are at least 2 musicians going by the name Marilyn. Peter Robinson (born November 3, 1962), better known as Marilyn, is a cross-dressing singer who reached fame with his song "Calling Your Name" in the 1980s. Marilyn was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He grew up in Hertfordshire, England as part of a musical family and was influenced by the songs of Barbra Streisand, Motown and gospel. During his teenage years he began experimenting with his sexuality and image Read more on Last.fm

Appearances

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Performance Statistics

Below is a breakdown of the artist's performance types. Repeat performances are not counted, unless stated otherwise.

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Artist Appearances

Episode Performance
23/02/1984 Cry & Be Free
Mimed Performance
24/11/1983 Calling Your Name
Mimed Performance
10/11/1983 Calling Your Name
Mimed Performance

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This content was taken from the BBC's original TOTP2 website, which was archived and discontinued in 2007. The original content is no longer available, but the TOTP Archive has preserved it. Please note that the content may not be up-to-date and may not accurately reflect today's views and opinions.

Interview date: Circa 2002

Known as the '80s Queen of lipstick, powder and paint, Marilyn is on the comeback trail. We talk high heels, cross-dressing...

Question

So, you're about to release a new single?

Answer

Well, yeah, it's a reggae tune, a cover of Dennis Brown's How Could I Live. I figured since I was born in Jamaica I should go back to my roots. But we can't find a label to release it. We need to find someone who doesn't think I'm a washed up old trannie! I could do with an appearance on Top of the Pops actually. Have you got the producer's number?

Question

Er, hang on. No interest at all from the labels then?

Answer

Actually, I was supposed to be singing at Home House the other night (trendy London members club) and Madonna came along because she wanted to talk about signing me to her label, Maverick but I never got to do the show.

Question

Why?

Answer

Because I have a stalker at the moment, a woman. She sent the club an e-mail saying that I owed money to a lot of people and that they were all going to come down to the club if I performed. I'm actually waiting for the CID to come around right now and get some more details on her because she keeps posting evil messages on my website.

Question

You were known in the '80s as Boy George's glamorous, cross-dressing sidekick. How do you look back on those days now?

Answer

With stupidity. I think George manipulated our relationship for publicity. I used to be really good friends with him, we were close, I'd known him for ages. Then we came back from a holiday in Egypt and I wondered why George was dressed up to the nines. Then when we came out of customs there were 150 photographers waiting for us. He organised the whole thing without telling me. He used me for publicity not vice-versa. I don't talk to George much now. If I see him out I'll say hello but we're not close.

Question

People may see this as a comeback but you haven't stopped singing since the '80s have you?

Answer

No, I love singing and performing. I make my money out of personal appearances and club gigs. I am NOT on the dole if thats what you think!

Question

Have you been to see Taboo yet (stage play based on the life of Boy George and his friends)?

Answer

I did but I ended up rowing with a person sitting next to me. This guy kept grabbing my arm because I laughed at the bit where Philip Salon gets stabbed. I walked out after five minutes so I couldn't tell you what the play is like.

Question

It was your birthday yesterday (Marilyn is now 40). How did you celebrate?

Answer

I didn't. I don't celebrate birthdays. I think you should celebrate the day that the sperm actually penetrates the egg, not the day that you "fall out" of your mum. I don't see that there's anything to celebrate there.

Question

Do you think attitudes to homosexuality (Marilyn has always claimed he is bisexual) and cross-dressing have changed now? Would people today be just as 'shocked' at your '80s antics?

Answer

Yeah, of course people's attitudes have changed but I don't think I ever shocked anyone really. I just think my image was very sexual and that straight men fancied me. They always have. And then their girlfriends would get jealous. My image was about sex whereas George tended to temper his sexuality. He made it all cuddly by going on Terry Wogan and talking about curling up with a teddy bear and preferring a cup of tea to sex. Whereas I always had that just f***** look.

Question

Did you have a lot of sex in the '80s?

Answer

Not as much as everyone thought, no. I wasn't into one night stands. I was looking for a relationship. Infact I haven't had sex since 1988 when a love affair ended. I haven't missed sex up to now but lately I've had the urge to shag. I might see if I can go clubbing tonight and get lucky!

Question

If TV talent shows like Pop Idol had been around in the '80s would you have entered?

Answer

Oh, God no. Those shows are s***. The whole thing is so fake. They're not making a Pop Idol, they're creating a very successful show that brings in high ratings so they can sell merchandise. It's just about making money not creating stars. Those singers have a shelf life of 18 months at the most.

Question

Simon Fuller is planning to make Second Chance Idol next? A show in which '80s pop stars get a second chance at fame. Any interest there?.

Answer

Kiss my batty! No way. I'd never do it. I don't want to sound pretentious but I'm an artist. My last album was all about a break up with a former lover. I don't want to be singing insipid "I love, you love" songs.

Question

What music do you listen to nowadays?

Answer

Toni Braxton, reggae and I love opera - Verdi and Maria Callas.

Question

Do you have good memories of the '80s?

Answer

Like everyone I have good and bad. I don't sit at home watching my old videos over and over again like that dizzy old tart in Sunset Boulevard. It was great to meet Diana Ross because she was my idol but some people were arseholes - like Luther Vandross. He's very bitchy and nasty. He was very rude to George once after performing on a Motown tribute show in New York. I went off him after that.

Question

There's a story from your past that you tried heroin because your lover was addicted and it was the only way to wean him off it. Is that true?

Answer

Yes. I'd tried everying, screaming at him, bullying him but nothing worked. I was 16-years-old and I'd never touched drugs before. But I wanted to show him that I would do this for him. It worked. He came off it. I'd like to fall in love again. And I look really good at the moment!