Mari Wilson (The Neasden Queen of Soul) first arrived on the scene in the early eighties with her skyscraper beehive hairdo, bizarre sense of fashion and fully choreographed twelve piece band The Wilsations! Mari’s live shows were spoken about as an event - pure entertainment. In 1982 Mari’s records began entering the charts and she soon had six hit singles, the biggest being ‘Just What I’ve Always Wanted’ and ‘Cry Me A River’, both taken from her album ‘Showpeople’.
Mari Wilson has always been known for her live stage shows and her latest successful UK tour was true to form, a mix of hits old and new, unusual and unexpected covers and a myriad of glamorous costume changes. Combined with Mari’s storytelling and wit she still stands out as one of the best live performers in the country. When not appearing with her full band of world class musicians, Mari Wilson’s Threesome is her latest intimate show, in which Mari is accompanied by piano and guitar. Performing songs from all of her albums, including all her early hits and her unusual choice of covers (including the showstopping Wild Horses and the sublime Be My Baby). Also included is a sneak preview from her new one-woman musical, The Love Thing.
In the mid-eighties after constant touring of the UK, Europe and the United States, Mari reduced the size of her band (and her hairdo!), changing direction with a jazz quartet. Playing venues such as Ronnie Scotts and The Royal Festival Hall (supporting the legendary Stan Getz), jazz festivals alongside BB King and Ray Charles, Mari has continued to build her reputation as a great live performer.
Mari has also appeared in musical theatre, playing Nickie Pignatelli in Phil Willmott’s production of Sweet Charity, Annabel in the black comedy, The Chainsaw Manicure and Dusty Springfield in Dusty The Musical which toured number one venues throughout the UK for seven months in 2000. Other work includes presenting on BBC London and singing the theme tune to various TV shows, including the highly successful ‘Coupling” performing the song ‘Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps’.
There is also the collaboration with Barb Jungr and Claire Martin in the outrageously camp show, Girl Talk. Their album is available on Linn Records. After appearing with Boy George in the West End musical, TABOO, Mari wrote, produced and recorded her album, Dolled Up, which was released in 2005. In September 2007, marking the 25th Anniversary of Just What I Always Wanted being in the top ten, Warner Bros. released ‘Mari Wilson - The Platinum Collection’ and Mari toured the UK.
Mari Wilson has also written a one-woman musical – The Love Thing, currently being developed for the stage. It was writing the songs for this musical that led to Mari’s new album Emotional Glamour – ten original songs co-written and co-produced with her long standing musical partner, Adrian York. This album marks a return to the retro-pop she is the true queen of.
