This is an excerpt from my memoir, Living The Dream: My Rock Music Journalism Stories. I had the incredible opportunity to meet Sheena Easton for the first time after one of her performances at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City. We were both so young, and I distinctly remember the way she looked—wide-eyed and full of innocence. Honestly, I felt a bit the same. This encounter marked one of my earliest interviews with a pop/rock music icon, and I remember it vividly. It was the early 1980s, an exciting time in music. I was absolutely captivated by her hit songs and enchanting albums, You Could Have Been With Me, and Madness, Money, and Music. I practically wore out those albums on my portable cassette player, replaying my favorite tracks like "When He Shines," "Modern Girl", "Ice Out in the Rain," and "Devil in a Fast Car." I must admit, Prince's "Sugar Walls" didn't resonate with me, but I kept that to myself.
Over the years, I've had the pleasure of interviewing Sheena multiple times, and as she came to recognize my name in the industry. I fondly recall her sharing delightful anecdotes about her dogs and her life in Los Angeles, her mild Scottish brogue adding a charming touch to our conversations. One time, I asked her how her career's evolution had impacted her personally. She reflected thoughtfully, saying, "All the changes I have been through have been for the better," speaking from her home office in LA. "I've always believed in change. It's necessary in this business."
Her insight was spot on. Any artist who produces music that sounds exactly like what they created a decade ago is likely to struggle in this industry. Sheena highlighted how her tastes have evolved, expressing her satisfaction with her artistic direction: "I'm very happy with my work and busy doing what I want to do, rather than what someone else wants me to do." In another interview, she made it clear that her ambition was to achieve more commercial success and longevity in the music scene. "I want more hits," she stated confidently. "I'm one of those artists with an eye on commercialism, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that."
She continued, "I'm hoping for longevity, which is challenging in this business. I'm determined to keep working hard to give my best." I found her motivation truly inspiring. The last time I saw Sheena in person was in Las Vegas after one of her live performances, a decade after our first meeting. On the drive into the city in a taxi, I spotted her face on a billboard—what a wonderful reminder of her enduring presence. I was in town for a Cher convention, signing copies of my book, The Cher Scrapbook, and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to reconnect with Sheena. After reaching out to her public relations team, I was thrilled to receive a ticket and a backstage pass.
Experiencing Sheena's concert again was enlightening, especially as she performed those early hits I had loved so dearly. I was pleasantly surprised that she remembered me. "You don't call, you don't write," she playfully teased during our backstage chat. It was a delightful moment, and I couldn't help but notice how much we had both grown since that first meeting in New York City. While it's bittersweet to think about those earlier days, I cherish the journey we've both taken.
Sheena has made history as the first and only recording artist to achieve a top-five hit on every Billboard singles chart. Her remarkable songs, such as "Morning Train (9 to 5)," the duet "We Got Tonight" with Kenny Rogers, and "Sugar Walls," have captivated audiences worldwide. With an impressive collection of 15 studio albums and 55 singles, she boasts an incredible 20 consecutive U.S. singles, including 15 top forty hits and seven top 10 hits, plus that unforgettable number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100. Sheena has sold over 20 million records globally.
As a six-time Grammy Award nominee, she is honored to have received two Grammys: "Best New Artist" and "Best Mexican-American Performance" for her beautiful duet "Me Gustas Tal Como Eres" with Luis Miguel in 1984. Sheena is still a top worldwide concert attraction. She made a memorable debut on the iconic show Miami Vice and has since dazzled audiences in a variety of roles. With a heart full of love, she's happily married four times and has two wonderful adopted children. She now enjoys life in the beautiful city of Henderson, Nevada. Her talent and passion truly shine through.
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