Marilyn (musician)

Peter Robinson (born November 3, 1962), better known as Marilyn, is a famous cross-dressing singer and musician who reached fame with his song "Calling Your Name" in the 1980s.

Related Topics:
November 3 - 1962 - Cross-dressing - Singer - Musician - 1980s

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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. He became friends with Boy George during his teenage years and began experimenting with his sexuality and image, adopting the blonde hair, makeup and movements of his idol Marilyn Monroe, hence his stage name Marilyn. Coincidentally Monroe died the same year Peter Robinson was born.

Related Topics:
Kingston, Jamaica - Hertfordshire - England - Barbra Streisand - Motown - Gospel - Boy George - Marilyn Monroe

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While Boy George went on to form Culture Club in 1981 and secure a recording deal with at first with Epic Records, then Virgin Records, Marilyn was still scouting for a recording contract, recording a demo tape with some assistance from Boy George. It was only after Culture Club had made a commercial impact with their debut album that record companies were seriously looking for artists with a similar cross-dressing image. Marilyn was signed to Mercury Records in 1983.

Related Topics:
Culture Club - 1981 - Epic Records - Virgin Records - Mercury Records - 1983

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Marilyn recorded "Calling Your Name" in November, 1983 and it became one of the biggest selling singles of the 1980s, reaching number 4 on the UK charts, number 3 on the Australian charts, and number 1 in Japan. The lyrics to the song are based on an argument Marilyn had with Boy George. He also recorded "Cry and Be Free", "You Don't Love Me" and a dozen other 12" and 7" singles between 1983 and 1985, with varying success. These singles were naturally more popular in clubs than with radio. A moderately successful album Despite Straight Lines was also released in 1985. In November, 1984, Marilyn recorded with other musicians in Band Aid, for the song and video to "Do They Know It's Christmas?".

Related Topics:
November - 1983 - 1985 - Despite Straight Lines - 1984 - Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas?

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Despite the initial collaborations between Boy George and Marilyn, the friendship became increasingly strained due to fame and drug-related problems. On July 9, 1986, Marilyn along with Boy George's brother Kevin O'Dowd were sentenced at Marylebone Magistrates Court on a charge of possessing heroin. The resultant media fallout of Marilyn's drug addiction and disputes with Boy George seriously damaged his public career. While attempting to record a follow-up album to Despite Straight Lines with famed producer Don Was in Detroit, Michigan, with little record company support, Marilyn's finances were drained to the point of having to work regular jobs outside of music. He briefly retired from the industry until 2001 when he began a series of moderately successful club appearances and released a greatest hits album.

Related Topics:
July 9 - 1986 - Marylebone - Don Was - Detroit, Michigan - 2001

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The 2002 Boy George penned stage musical, Taboo, features Marilyn and other stars of the 1980s.

Related Topics:
2002 - Taboo - 1980s

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