Sheena Easton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sheena Easton
Easton in 2009
Background information
Birth name	Sheena Shirley Orr
Born	(1959-04-27) 27 April 1959 (age 66) Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Genres	Pop dance R&B
Occupation(s)	Singer actress songwriter
Instruments	Singer
Years active	1978–present
Labels	EMI MCA Universal RT Industries

Sheena Shirley Easton (born 27 April 1959) is a talented singer and actress from Scotland. She became famous after appearing on a TV show called The Big Time: Pop Singer. This show followed her journey as she tried to get a record deal, which is an agreement with a music company. She eventually signed with the EMI music label.

Her first two songs, "Modern Girl" and "9 to 5", both reached the top ten in the UK at the same time! This was a big achievement. Sheena Easton became one of the most successful British female singers of the 1980s.

Sheena Easton made history by being the only artist to have a top-five song on all of Billboard magazine's main song charts. These included "9 to 5" (Pop and Adult Contemporary), "We've Got Tonight" with Kenny Rogers (Country and Adult Contemporary), and "Sugar Walls" (R&B and Dance).

She has released fifteen studio albums and many singles. She had twenty songs in a row that charted in the US, including fifteen top forty hits, seven top ten hits, and one song that reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Sheena Easton has sold over 20 million records around the world. In 1981, she sang "For Your Eyes Only", which was the main song for the James Bond movie of the same name.

Sheena Easton has been nominated for a Grammy Award six times and has won two. She won "Best New Artist" in 1981. In 1985, she won "Best Mexican-American Performance" for her song "Me Gustas Tal Como Eres" with Mexican singer Luis Miguel.

Early Life and Becoming a Star

Growing Up and Finding Her Voice (1959–1980)

Sheena Shirley Orr was born on April 27, 1959, in Bellshill, Scotland. She was the youngest of six children. Her dad worked in a steel mill. When she was five, she sang "Early One Morning" at her aunt and uncle's party. This was her first public performance.

Sheena's father passed away in 1969. Her mother worked hard to support the family. Sheena often talks about how amazing her mom was. Her mom even taught all her children to read at home before they started school.

Sheena didn't think about being a singer until she saw the movie The Way We Were. Barbra Streisand sang in the movie, and it really inspired Sheena. She knew then that she wanted to be a singer and touch people's hearts with her music.

Sheena earned a scholarship to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. From 1975 to 1979, she studied to be a speech and drama teacher during the day. At night, she sang with a band called "Something Else" in local clubs. She chose teaching because it helped her improve her singing skills.

In 1979, she married Sandi Easton. They divorced after eight months, but Sheena decided to keep the last name Easton. That same year, one of her teachers encouraged her to try out for a BBC show called The Big Time. The show wanted to follow an unknown person's journey to become a pop star. Sheena was chosen!

EMI music company offered her a contract. Christopher Neil became her music producer. Sheena spent much of 1980 with camera crews following her. They filmed her auditions and when she made her first song, "Modern Girl".

First Hits and James Bond (1981–1982)

Sheena Easton's first song, "Modern Girl", came out in the UK before The Big Time TV show aired. It reached number 56 on the charts. After the show aired, her second song, "9 to 5", became a huge hit, reaching number 3 in the UK. "Modern Girl" also became popular and climbed into the top 10. Sheena had two songs in the UK top 10 at the same time!

In the United States, "9 to 5" was renamed "Morning Train (Nine To Five)". This was to avoid confusion with Dolly Parton's song "9 to 5". "Morning Train (Nine to Five)" became Sheena's first and only number 1 hit in the US. It topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts.

Before 1981 ended, she had another top 10 hit in both the US and UK. This was the theme song for the James Bond movie, "For Your Eyes Only". The song was even nominated for an Academy Award! Sheena Easton won the Grammy Award for "Best New Artist" in 1982. She is the only Bond theme singer to appear in the movie's opening credits while performing the song.

Sheena's first three US albums were Sheena Easton (1981), You Could Have Been with Me (1981), and Madness, Money & Music (1982). They were all soft rock and pop songs. In 1982, Sheena went on her first US tour. Her show in Los Angeles was even filmed and shown on TV.

Continued Success and New Sounds (1983–1987)

In 1983, Sheena sang a duet with Kenny Rogers called "We've Got Tonight". It was a top 10 hit in the US and even reached number 1 on the Country chart.

Her album Best Kept Secret came out in October 1983. The song "Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair)" became her fourth Top 10 hit. It was nominated for a Grammy Award. Another song, "Almost Over You", reached the US Top 30.

In 1984, Sheena recorded a Spanish song, "Me Gustas Tal Como Eres". She sang it with Mexican star Luis Miguel. This song won her a second Grammy Award! It was for Best Mexican-American Performance. She also released A Private Heaven (1984), which became her best-selling US album. It included her sixth Top 10 US song, "Strut".

Sheena's career was growing, especially in the US. She was nominated for another Grammy Award in 1984. She also had a big hit with the song "Sugar Walls". This song reached number 1 on the Billboard Dance Chart in 1985.

Her next album, Do You (1985), was produced by Nile Rodgers. It sold well, but didn't have any huge hit songs like "Strut" or "Sugar Walls". In 1987, her album No Sound But a Heart had some problems getting released in the US. However, songs from this album were covered by other famous artists like Celine Dion and Patti LaBelle.

Collaborations and Acting (1987–1990)

In 1987, Sheena Easton appeared in Prince's concert film Sign o' the Times. She sang a duet with Prince on his hit song, "U Got the Look", which became a No. 2 hit in the US. This led to more Grammy nominations for her.

Working with Prince encouraged Sheena to write her own music. One successful song they wrote together was "The Arms of Orion". It was another duet with Prince and was on the 1989 Batman soundtrack. The song reached number 36 in the US and number 27 in the UK.

In November 1987, Sheena Easton started acting on the TV show Miami Vice. She played a singer named Caitlin Davies. Her character ended up marrying Sonny Crockett on the show! Sheena appeared in five episodes.

Her album The Lover in Me (1988) was released on her new label, MCA Records. This album brought Sheena back to the US and UK charts. The song "The Lover in Me" reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became a number 5 hit on the US R&B chart.

In 1990, Sheena performed at a festival in Glasgow, Scotland. After she spoke in an American accent, some people in the crowd threw bottles. Sheena was upset and had to stop her show early. She said she would never perform in Scotland again.

Later Albums and Voice Acting (1991–1999)

In 1991, What Comes Naturally was Sheena's last album to chart in the United States. The title song was also her last Top 40 single, reaching number 19. Sheena helped write three songs on this album.

Sheena then released No Strings (1993), which was an album of jazz songs. My Cherie (1995) was her last pop album released in the US.

In the late 1990s, Sheena Easton sang for the soundtrack of All Dogs Go to Heaven 2. She also voiced the character Sasha La Fleur. She sang "Now and Forever" with Barry Manilow for The Pebble and the Penguin movie in 1995. She also provided songs for other animated films.

Sheena also continued acting. She played 'Melissa McCammon' in an episode of The Outer Limits in 1997. She also voiced several characters in the animated series Gargoyles. In 1999, she voiced a character in the computer game Planescape: Torment.

Sheena adopted a boy named Jake in 1994 and a girl named Skylar in 1996. Being a mom made her change her career focus. She started doing more casino shows and theater work. Sheena starred in Broadway shows like Man of La Mancha (1992) and Grease (1996). She lives in Las Vegas with her children and often performs in casinos.

New Music and Re-releases (1999–Present)

In 1999, many of Sheena Easton's older albums were re-released with extra songs. She also signed a new record deal and released Fabulous (2000). This album featured covers of classic disco songs. The first song, "Giving Up, Giving In", reached number 54 in the UK. The album was released in Europe, Japan, and Australia, but not in the US.

In 2003, Sheena sang on a Japanese album. She also started hosting a talk show called Vegas Live. In 2004, she was honored and put into the Casino Legends Hall of Fame.

In 2013, some of Sheena's albums were re-released in the UK with bonus tracks. In 2014, a box set of her first five albums came out. In 2015, Sheena started performing in symphony concerts called "The Spy Who Loved Me". These concerts featured music from spy movies, including James Bond songs.

In 2016, Sheena took on the role of Dorothy Brock in the musical 42nd Street in London. In 2021, her older songs were re-released as a three-CD set called The Definitive Singles 1980–1987. More of her music became available online in 2021. In 2022, her 1982 TV special Live at the Palace, Hollywood was released on CD and DVD for the first time.

Rising to Stardom

First Hits and James Bond

Easton in 1981

Sheena Easton's first song, "Modern Girl", reached number 56 in the UK before The Big Time show aired. After the show, her second song, "9 to 5", became a huge hit, reaching number 3 in the UK. "Modern Girl" then re-entered the charts and climbed into the top 10. This meant Sheena Easton had two songs in the UK top 10 at the same time!

In the United States, "9 to 5" was released as "Morning Train (Nine To Five)". This was to avoid confusion with Dolly Parton's song "9 to 5". "Morning Train (Nine to Five)" became Sheena Easton's first and only number 1 hit in the US. It topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts.

Before 1981 ended, she had another top 10 hit in both the US and UK with "For Your Eyes Only". This was the theme song for the James Bond movie. The song was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe award. Sheena Easton even appeared in the opening credits of the movie, singing the song. As of 2025, she is still the only Bond theme singer to be shown in this way.

Her success in the US led her to win the Grammy Award for "Best New Artist" in 1982. Her first three US albums, Sheena Easton (1981), You Could Have Been with Me (1981), and Madness, Money & Music (1982), were all in a soft rock and pop style. In 1982, Sheena Easton went on her first US tour. Her concert in Los Angeles was filmed and shown on HBO.

More Hits and New Sounds

Easton worked closely with musician Prince in the 1980s.

In January 1983, Sheena Easton sang a duet with Kenny Rogers called "We've Got Tonight". This song became a top 10 hit in the US and reached number 1 on the Country music chart. It also made it into the UK Top 30.

In October 1983, her album Best Kept Secret was released. The first song from it, "Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair)", became her fourth Top 10 hit. This song was nominated for a Grammy Award.

In 1984, Sheena Easton recorded a song in Spanish called "Me Gustas Tal Como Eres" ("I Like You Just the Way You Are"). It was a duet with Mexican star Luis Miguel. This song earned her a second Grammy Award.

Sheena Easton also changed her musical style around this time. She became a dance-pop singer. Her album A Private Heaven (1984) became her biggest-selling album in the US. It included her sixth Top 10 US song, "Strut".

Her song "Sugar Walls", written by Prince, was very popular. However, some people found its lyrics controversial. The song reached number 3 on the R&B charts, number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 1 on the Billboard Dance Chart in 1985.

Her next album, Do You (1985), was also successful. In 1987, she released No Sound But a Heart. Some songs from this album were later covered by other famous artists like Celine Dion and Patti LaBelle.

Working with Prince and Acting

In 1987, Sheena Easton appeared in Prince's concert film Sign o' the Times. She sang a duet with Prince on his hit song "U Got the Look", which became a number 2 hit in the US. This song earned them Grammy nominations. Sheena also helped write some songs with Prince, including "The Arms of Orion" from the 1989 Batman soundtrack.

In November 1987, Sheena Easton started acting in the TV show Miami Vice. She played a singer named Caitlin Davies. Her character married Sonny Crockett, one of the main characters. She appeared in five episodes of the show.

Her album The Lover in Me (1988) brought her back to the US and UK charts. The song "The Lover in Me" reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1990, Sheena Easton performed in her home country of Scotland. However, the crowd reacted negatively to her American accent and threw things. She was very upset and vowed not to perform in Scotland again.

Later Career and Family Life

New Music and Acting Roles

In 1991, her album What Comes Naturally was released. The title song was her last Top 40 single to date, reaching number 19. Sheena Easton also wrote three songs on this album.

In 1993, she released No Strings, an album of jazz songs. ..... Her album My Cherie (1995) was her last pop album released in the US for a while.

Sheena Easton also lent her voice to animated movies and TV shows. She sang songs for All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 and voiced the character Sasha La Fleur. She also sang for The Pebble and the Penguin and FernGully: The Last Rainforest. In 1997, she acted in an episode of The Outer Limits. She also voiced characters in the animated series Gargoyles and the computer game Planescape: Torment.

Family and Live Performances

Between 1995 and 1996, Sheena Easton adopted two children, a boy named Jake and a girl named Skylar. Being a mother led her to perform more often in casinos and theaters, which allowed her to plan her schedule better. She said, "Because I adopted my children, I could plan my timing. I knew exactly when they were coming along, so I knew when I had to change my life so it would be a stable life."

Sheena Easton also performed in Broadway shows like Man of La Mancha (1992) and Grease (1996). She lives in Las Vegas with her children and often performs in casinos there.

In 1999, she released Fabulous, an album of classic disco songs. The first song, "Giving Up, Giving In", reached number 54 in the UK. This was her last album release to date.

In 2004, she was honored and inducted into the Casino Legends Hall of Fame. She also sang songs for the 2007 video game Lost Odyssey.

Recent Work

In 2015, Sheena Easton started performing in symphony concerts called "The Spy Who Loved Me". These concerts featured music from spy movies, including James Bond themes. She also toured Australia, performing her greatest hits.

In November 2016, Sheena Easton took on the role of Dorothy Brock in the musical 42nd Street in London's West End. She performed in the show until March 2018.

In 2021, Sheena Easton performed at the New York State Fair. Her music from her early career was re-released in a special collection called The Definitive Singles 1980–1987. In 2022, a recording of her 1982 TV special Live at the Palace, Hollywood was released on CD and DVD for the first time.

Personal Life

Sheena Easton has been married and divorced four times. She has two adopted children. Her first marriage was in Britain when she was 19, and it lasted eight months.

In 1992, Sheena Easton became a US citizen, meaning she has dual citizenship with the United Kingdom. She adopted her son, Jake, in 1994, and her daughter, Skylar, two years later.

Sheena Easton lives in Henderson, Nevada, US.

Discography

• Take My Time / Sheena Easton (1981)
• You Could Have Been with Me (1981)
• Madness, Money & Music (1982)
• Best Kept Secret (1983)
• A Private Heaven (1984)
• Todo Me Recuerda a Ti (1984)
• Do You (1985)
• No Sound But a Heart (1987)
• The Lover in Me (1988)
• What Comes Naturally (1991)
• No Strings (1993)
• My Cherie (1995)
• Freedom (1997)
• Home (1999)
• Fabulous (2000)

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and Nominations

Sheena Easton has received many awards and nominations for her music.

American Music Awards

Billboard Music Award

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are very important music awards. Sheena Easton has won two Grammys out of six nominations.

Notes

• : The song was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, but this nomination is credited to the songwriter (Prince) and not to Easton.

See also

In Spanish: Sheena Easton para niños

• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart