Taylor Dayne is embracing her return to the stage with renewed energy and a profound sense of gratitude.
Two years after battling colon cancer, the Grammy-nominated artist is gearing up for a worldwide tour set to kick off in March next year. But first, she will join fellow '80s pop sensation Tiffany for a performance on September 7 at the Agua Caliente Casino in Cathedral City, California.
“I’ve always been known as a singer’s singer,” Dayne shares about her preparation for her upcoming shows. “It’s essential for me to tell a story that takes fans on a journey, but also allows them to see me in a new light. You want to be inside the artist's mind.”
Dayne's resilience has been nothing short of remarkable. Diagnosed in July 2021, she underwent surgery to remove 10 inches of her colon. Although declared cancer-free immediately after, a post-surgery infection led to nearly a month in the hospital. By late August of that same year, however, she was back onstage, and since then, she’s continued to perform, including the release of a new EP, "The Capitol Session", in April, and wrapping up her recent "Love Me Tour" in July.
Reflecting on her journey, Dayne says, “I made a choice while lying in the hospital after surgery. I got really, really ill, and it gave me a new perspective. I decided, ‘I’m not ready to leave this world. I’m going to fight this.’”
Performing live over the past two years has been “an incredibly humbling experience,” she adds.
“My gratitude is beyond measure,” Dayne confesses. “By the end of my treatment, I weighed just 98 pounds. I even walked differently. But that’s only one of life’s trials. It’s not the entire story.”
Now 62, Dayne is keenly aware of the emotional connection her songs hold for her fans, and she’s determined to give them an unforgettable experience. While her classics like “Tell It to My Heart” may serve as nostalgic markers for her audience, she approaches live performances with a fresh perspective.
“I don’t think like that,” she explains. “I’m fully immersed in the moment. I’m working hard, right there with my audience. I see people living in the moment, and I say, ‘Let’s go!’”
Her shows are “carefully curated to deliver the most impact while reimagining the songs,” she says. “So, you’re not just listening to 35-year-old music that feels dated.”
“Let’s face it,” Dayne acknowledges, “the audience wants to hear the hits. But it’s my job to creatively challenge that mindset and take them on a journey with me.”
While Dayne isn’t immune to nostalgia, it’s the music of other artists that takes her back in time. Her eclectic personal soundtrack includes Depeche Mode, Boy George, Black Sabbath, Van Halen, Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Can’t Hide Love,” The Carpenters’ “Close to You,” and Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
“Play ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ today, whether it’s for me, John Mayer, or Chappell Roan—we’ll all shed a tear,” she remarks. “That’s the power of a truly great song.”
She’s also aware that her music has a similar impact on her fans. “When I play ‘Love Will Lead You Back,’ I see people just standing there, tears streaming down their faces,” she notes. “That’s my job—to bring them to that emotional place.”
Almost 40 years into her career, Dayne appreciates the profound effect her music has had on her audience. “When fans tell me what my songs have meant to them, I place my hands on my heart and say, ‘Thank you. I understand.’”
This awareness is a key part of her journey, one defined by gratitude for being able to continue doing what she loves.
“I’m much more present, and far more vulnerable now,” she reflects. “I’ve gone through hell and back—but it’s not the first time, and probably not the last. I stand before my audience, hands over my heart, and I give it everything I’ve got. That’s me. That’s what you’re going to see on stage.”
The Quran - Chapter Al-Ma'arij: 22- 23
except those who pray,
consistently performing their prayers;
