Singer Taylor Dayne tells it from her heart

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 21, 2017

When Taylor Dayne burst onto the pop music scene with the smash song “Tell It to My Heart’ at age 25 in 1988, she hadn’t even cut an album yet.

That came quickly, as well as a string of top 10 hits that graced the charts in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

Over the years, Dayne strayed into other forays — acting, motherhood — but always stayed close to her musical roots.

“Love Will Lead You Back” made it to No. 1 on the Billboard Magazine Hot 100, and she had 18 singles reach Billboard’s top 10, including “I’ll Always Love You” and “Don’t Rush Me.” Dayne’s first two albums were double-platinum sellers — each selling more than 2 million copies. She has sold more than 75 million albums and singles through a career that has spanned three decades.

The native of Baldwin, New York — an hour outside of New York City — and current Los Angeles resident will put her full, rich, unique voice on display in a concert at Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City on Thursday, June 29. For info/tickets: http://www.chinookwindscasino.com.

Dayne, 55, spoke with the Portland Tribune from her home in Hollywood:

Tribune: You’ve lived in Southern California for some time now. Do you still consider yourself a New York girl?

Dayne: Yes. There’s no way around that.

Tribune: How often have you performed in Oregon over the years?

Dayne: A few times in different parts of the state — usually in casinos outside the cities. It’s quite beautiful. I went to a very good dentist up there once. I have quite a few interesting stories about that part of the country.

Tribune: Can you believe it is 30 years since you came out with “Tell It to My Heart,” which rose to No. 7 on the pop charts and got you nominated for a Grammy?

Dayne: No. I can’t. Sometimes when I’m on stage, though, I tell my feet that. “Girl, why are you still in these heels?”

Tribune: Have you continued to tour through all the years, or did you take long breaks from it?

Dayne: I haven’t taken a long break, but I’ve taken creative breaks, to have children, to make new records, or to spend time doing more film and television. I was on Broadway for a year. There’s no real stop in the working mechanism. I’m always creatively thinking about other ways to put it across.

Tribune: You’re playing more than 50 concert dates this year, including a “Down Under” tour in November. Do you still enjoy touring?

Dayne: I love it. I love the connection between myself and my fans. The travel aspect? No. It’s not fun anymore. It’s just not. But when you’re on stage, you have that authentic connection with your audience. This is many years after I released my first record. It has stood the test of time. The longevity and loyalty are there. I’m seeing fans, too, who are certainly not 50 years old. That’s nice.

Tribune: Your given name is Leslie Wonderman, which I think would be a cool name for a singer. When did you change it, and why?

Dayne: I’d been singing under the name “Les Lee.” We’d had a couple of singles. Then Arista Records signed us after we’d recorded “Tell It to My Heart,” and I thought, “Screw Leslie — let’s be something new entirely.” Over a couple of drinks at 3 in the morning and a baby book, we came up with “Taylor.” And then I said, “I like Dayne.” A lot of deals are done on a golf course, but many more are done at a bar.

Tribune: You’ve been ranked among the greatest dance club artists. But isn’t that limiting things a bit? Your voice has such a unique sound.

Dayne: If people say I have one of the greatest female voices, I’m proud of that. I’m in the distinction business. When you listen to my song, you say, “That’s Taylor Dayne.” I hope I have a distinct sound and voice — powerful, passionate. It seems to move people. It’s a beautiful thing.

Tribune: Even after you’d started singing professionally, you were attending college in the mid-’80s.

Dayne: I went to Nassau Community College and C.W. Post for about 2 1/2 years, studying theory and voice in the music department. I was in the city studying with my coach operatically and studying in school classically. Two years in, I thought, “I’m already in the clubs, making records. I don’t see how (college) is paying my bills. I’m not going to be teaching music; I’m going to be performing it.”

Tribune: You’ve done quite a lot of acting, including your time on Broadway. Do you enjoy that as much as singing?

Dayne: I was born to sing, if you will. But being an entertainer was my vision as well. Acting is far more challenging. For me, it’s not a muscle that’s used as often. It’s not like you can just step into it. It’s far more nerve-racking. But the rewards are great when you sink into your role. And Broadway is such a different entity in itself.

Tribune: You have twins, a boy and a girl, age 15. How are they doing?

Dayne: Ha! You know how loaded that question is? They’re amazing. They give it every day. I give it right back.

Tribune: You had the babies though a surrogate. How do you feel about that experience?

Dayne: When I made this choice 16 or 17 years ago, it was legal in two states, one being California. And as a single parent, a couple of agencies wouldn’t take me on. Medically, I’m not sure I could have carried a child. Ultimately, it wouldn’t be a fun-loving experience. I’m very blessed that happened to come my way. I always wanted a child. I’m not saying most women would go about it that way. Surrogacy is far more common now, but I was at the forefront of it. It was the most right thing I’ve ever done.

Tribune: You’ve never been married. Do you feel you’ve missed out on anything?

Dayne: If you ask me if I’d like to be married, the answer is yes. I’m a relationship girl. I prefer to be in a relationship. Yeah, there have been challenges for me over the years with relationships. I take responsibility on my end. But I absolutely adore the idea of being in a happy, healthy relationship, for sure.

Tribune: Are you making any new music? Is there an album in the works?

Dayne: I’m in the studio right now, working with some great folks. I look at it song for song, but it could be an album. We have some big plans, are working on some really great stuff — some classics as well as new material. This is a pinnacle year (30 years since her debut single). I am releasing music within the next six months. It’s all part of the strategy for this celebration.

Tribune: What are you most proud of through your career?

Dayne: It’s hard to sit on laurels. I’m proud of the awards on my wall. I’m proud of my vocal strength, my sound, the fact I’ve maintained it. I’m proud of the businesswoman I’ve become. I’m proud of my children. of the legacy I’ve created. I’m very proud of all that. There are waves where I feel incredibly proud of myself. Then I go, “OK, girl, get back to work. What laurel can you sit on?”

Tribune: What kind of music will you play at Chinook Winds?

Dayne: I’ll bring out my greatest hits. I can promise people sitting in the audience, they’ll get what they came for. It’s not like I’m going out there with a brand-new album and playing the whole record. That’s not what I do. I put it all out there. All of my energy is put into that show in the moment. It’s a great place to be — the present.