Local Songstresses Unite for I Touch Myself Project

Chrissy Amphlett’s dying wish was that her sexy song “I Touch Myself” would become an anthem for breast cancer awareness. Now it’s happened thanks to some of Australia’s best female vocalists. Sarah McLeod, Deborah Conway, Megan Washington, Olivia Newton-John, Katie Noonan, Kate Ceberano, Sarah Blasko, Suze DeMarchi, Little Pattie, and Connie Mitchell have all stripped down, physically and musically, for a touching rendition of the song.

It’s all part of the I Touch Myself Project, an initiative which encourages people to share how they’ve been touched by breast cancer using the hashtags #itouchmyselfproject or #itouchmyselfie on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Google Plus. You can get involved on the inaugural I Touch Myself Day on April 21, the first anniversary of Chrissy’s tragic passing. Of course the video also reminds us to get in touch with our breasts to detect cancer early.

The video is available for purchase from iTunes and Google Play, with all proceeds benefiting the Cancer Council.

R.I.P. Chrissy Amphlett

Australia has lost one of its most unique female voices with the passing of Chrissy Amphlett. The Divinyls frontwoman passed away in New York City following battles with breast cancer and multiple sclerosis. She was just 53 years old.

They broke the mould when they made Chrissy. As a young girl I remember being fascinated by her sexy schoolgirl outfits, fishnet stockings, and husky rasping voice. I couldn’t believe she could get away with singing “I Touch Myself”, and I still think “Boys in Town” is one of the greatest rock songs ever penned.

With her band The Divinyls she earned four top 10 albums locally and one in America. Funnily enough, that shocking “I Touch Myself” song was their biggest-selling single. It reached number one here and cracked the top 10 in the United States and Great Britain. Fittingly the band took their place in the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006.

Those facts are impressive, but it’s Chrissy’s sass that I’ll remember most. She was fierce, so different, so charismatic. She will be missed.

Chrissy Amphlett Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

I was saddened to hear the news this morning that Chrissy Amphlett has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She’s currently undergoing treatment in her New York City home, where she lives with her husband.

In typical Chrissy fashion, she’s pledged to fight the cancer, just as she has Multiple Sclerosis. That disease means she can’t have radiation treatment, so she’s in for one hell of a battle.

But if anyone’s up to it, it’s Chrissy. They don’t make them much tougher than her after all. My thoughts are with her and her family at this difficult time.

Moments like this make me want to revisit some of the music and remember performers at their height of their power. For me, it doesn’t get much better than Chrissy belting out “Boys in Town.” What’s your favourite Divinyls track?