Allee Willis - History

History

Willis grew up in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Mumford High School; she would later earn a degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Willis then made her way to New York and became a copywriter for Columbia and Epic Records; writing liner notes, print ads and radio commercials for the label's female and black acts — many of whom she went on to write songs for. She recorded an album of the first ten songs she ever wrote, “Childstar”, on Epic Records and was discovered by Bonnie Raitt and Patti LaBelle when they started recording her songs in the late 1970s.

From 1986 to 1988 Willis had her own column in Details Magazine. It was in that magazine that she introduced her proudest musical find, the Del Rubio Triplets, 70-plus year old 'singing' sisters in mini skirts and go-go boots who went on to appear in over 20 network shows and tour around the world.

From 1987 to 1991 Willis directed many music videos including ones for Debbie Harry, The Cars and Heart. She also designed and built the sets for MTV's first music clip show, "Just Say Julie".

Willis has collected Atomic 50's, Soul and Kitsch artifacts since the late 1960s and has one of the oldest and most documented collections in the world. Her Kitsch O' The Day blog, started in March, 2009, features one item from the collection per day.