Image: David Fisher/Rex Features
Junior online editor Tara Booth on Kylie’s 25-year reign...
It was my birthday and it was the 90s. Among the scores of colourful wrapped presents from my 30-odd school friends was a rectangular block wrapped in purple paper.
Pulling at the corner, I realised it was my very first video that belonged entirely to me! It wasn’t Bambi or a childish cartoon, but my very own collection of Kylie Minogue music videos! And I felt very grown up.
I can’t remember how many times I watched it but it must have reached triple figures. My sister and I would hog the VHS player in the lounge – much to the annoyance of our football-loving dad – and sing along to the classics: The Loco-motion, I should be so Lucky, Hand on your Heart…. (and hopelessly mumble along to Je ne sais pas porquois)
I remember the VHS case clearly… a white background with a headshot of the Aussie singer sporting a curly hairdo and a black hat/headband invention that can only be described as 80s. It took pride of place in the VHS cabinet.
Then along came Especially For You and I quite literally fell in love with Jason Donovan and Kylie become the most envied woman of all. I even had a framed picture of him on my bedroom wall. A golden frame. I was a total victim of the Kylie/Jason phenomenon.
Fast-forward 10 years and I remember Kylie returning to our screens in that video. Yep, it was Spinning Around and all anyone wanted to talk about was her derrière in those gold hot pants. This time, she didn’t have quite the same affect on me. Her music was alright, but it didn’t make me run out and buy her album.
Another ten-or-so years on and I’ve grown a fondness for Kylie. She’s a bit like Madonna, constantly reinventing herself and finding new audiences… and I suppose her newer music has grown on me too.
This year marks her 25th year in the biz so there’s a cause for celebration. Aptly named K25, there promises to be a documentary, a TV special, a book and various appearances and concerts. Maybe I’ll get tickets, just for a bit of nostalgia…
Tara x
PS: What's your favourite or most memorable Kylie moment? Share them with us in the comment box below...
