Torch singer, Mari Wilson (aka The Neasden Queen of Soul) first arrived on the UK music scene in the early eighties with her skyscraper beehive hairdo, a glamorous sense of fashion and her fully choreographed twelve piece band The Wilsations. She quickly scored six UK hit singles, including "Just What I Always Wanted” and her cover of "Cry Me a River." Thirty years later, she is still performing and selling out shows. Mari’s rendition of “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” is one of our all-time favorites. Mari shares how she reigns here...

Full Name

Mari Macmillan Ramsay Wilson

 

Provenance

London

 

Name of your label

Beehive Records/Music

 

Favorite Occupation

musician

 

Most cherished item in my boudoir

My limited-edition gold “Little Something”

 

Most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me

“You’re beautiful.” And, “If you’re happy, I’m happy.”

 

I cannot live without

Daily insulin injections

 

I am eternally delighted by

My daughter Lily

 

Music that makes me swoon

Never Never Gonna Give You Up & Under the Influence of Love by Barry White

 

My idea of joie de vivre

Swimming naked

 

Lingerie for day

Lejaby, Chantelle, Aubade or Rigby and Peller – always matching

 

Lingerie for night

My white vintage 60’s lace pajamas

 

Favorite flower

Daffodil, because it announces spring

 

Favorite designer

Alexander McQueen

 

Favorite boutique

Ceci Tokyo

 

Beauty product I can’t live without

Clarins Crème Jeunesse des Mains

 

A current object of desire

Anything by Balmain

 

Favorite scent/fragrance

Chanel No.5 and Daisy by Marc Jacobs

 

Loveliest place in the world

Waterloo Bridge, London

 

Favorite poet

Robert Burns

 

Favorite composer

Lennon & McCartney/Smokey Robinson/Gamble & Huff/Rodgers & Hart; the list is endless

 

Favorite Painter

Picasso

 

Favorite museum or gallery

National Portrait Gallery, London; Tate Gallery, St. Ives, Cornwall; MoMA, New York

 

Favorite charity

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

 

Women I most admire

Friends who have had to deal with illness, financial struggle, divorce, etc., and recovered with dignity and a sense of humour. I admire the following women for different reasons: Gloria Swanson, Diana Athill, Judy Garland, Dita Von Teese, Allee Willis.

 

My greatest achievement

Giving birth to a healthy daughter despite my Type 1 Diabetes. Having a successful and varied career while retaining my integrity and never doing anything for any reason other than wanting to do it.

 

Three things I cannot Reign without