I have been what I proudly call a “Sheena-phile”—a term I invented decades too late—for most of my life.

My devotion began as a child, sitting in front of the television watching Sheena Easton perform “When He Shines” on Solid Gold. There are moments in childhood when admiration turns quietly into loyalty, when an artist becomes part of the soundtrack of your life before you even understand why. For me, Sheena was one of those artists.

Over the years, I followed her evolution from Grammy-winning pop sensation to one of music’s most unusual crossover successes—an artist who managed to chart hits across pop, dance, adult contemporary, country, and Top 40 formats in ways few performers ever have. I watched as she collaborated with legends including Kenny Rogers and, perhaps most memorably, Prince. Through every reinvention, every album, every era, I remained a devoted fan.

So when the opportunity arose to review Sheena’s May 15 performance at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, the roughly two-hour drive felt less like a trip and more like returning to an old friend.

Because in many ways, that is exactly what longtime performers become.

I first saw Sheena in concert around age ten, during the height of songs like “The Lover in Me.” Since then, our paths have crossed repeatedly through different chapters of my own life—in Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, Nevada, Arizona, and now California. When I lived in Las Vegas, where Sheena remains something of a local institution, she was a familiar headliner whose performances attracted audiences spanning generations.

The remarkable thing about seeing an artist over decades is that eventually you stop measuring them only by chart positions or vocal acrobatics. You begin appreciating endurance.

At 67 years old, Sheena Easton still sings with remarkable strength. More importantly, she sings with experience. The crystalline precision of youth has evolved into something richer: a voice textured by years, success, disappointment, reinvention, and survival.

As she moved through classics including “Almost Over You” and the iconic Bond theme “For Your Eyes Only,” the audience happily surrendered to nostalgia. Yet the evening never became trapped in memory. Sheena openly reflected on aging as a performer with humor and refreshing honesty.

She joked that she looks considerably different than she did during her “Strut” years, before quickly reminding audiences that they likely look different too.

The room erupted.

That humor has become one of her greatest gifts. Beyond the voice, Sheena is a genuinely entertaining storyteller. Between songs, she shared memories, self-deprecating observations, and industry stories that transformed the concert into something more intimate than a traditional pop performance.

Longtime fans know another truth about Sheena: she has consistently embraced LGBTQ+ audiences long before many mainstream artists viewed such support as culturally safe or commercially beneficial. During the concert, she affectionately recalled the children who dressed in their mothers’ high heels while lip-syncing her songs into hairbrushes.

Then she laughed and reminded us that not all those aspiring performers were little girls.

I understood immediately.

I was one of those boys.

Years ago, during performances of her notoriously provocative Sugar Walls—written by Prince under a pseudonym—Sheena occasionally invited men from the audience onto the stage. I had the unlikely fortune of being chosen not once, but twice.

One evening she asked if my wife might be jealous.

I answered honestly: “No. I’m here with my husband.”

Without hesitation she smiled mischievously and replied, “Too bad.”

A small joke. A passing interaction.

But sometimes celebrities become memorable not through grandeur, but through kindness, humor, and the ability to make strangers feel briefly seen.

That moment stayed with me.

At La Mirada, Sheena performed backed by her longtime band, whose chemistry with her feels earned rather than rehearsed. They exchanged playful teasing and visible affection throughout the evening, evidence of relationships built over years rather than tours.

She revisited songs associated with her collaborations with Prince and reflected on the controversy surrounding explicit lyrics during the 1980s. Alongside artists like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, Sheena found herself scrutinized during debates that ultimately helped shape the now-familiar parental advisory labels appearing on albums.

Her stories about working with Prince—including his encouragement surrounding songwriting and projects like “The Arms of Orion” from Batman—provided fascinating glimpses into a transformative musical era.

When I saw Sheena decades ago, performances included backup dancers, elaborate costumes, and the spectacle expected of 1980s pop royalty.

Today’s Sheena describes herself simply as a singer.

And strangely, that feels more powerful.

The current show strips away excess and centers what remains: voice, personality, experience, and connection.

Over time, performers either resist aging or incorporate it into their artistry.

The strongest learn to do the latter.

Sheena Easton has.

Beyond music, her career expanded into acting roles including appearances on Miami Vice, as well as stage productions ranging from Man of La Mancha to Grease and regional theater productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. That versatility remains evident.

The evening featured beloved covers including “It Must Have Been Love” and “Nothing Compares 2 U,” alongside signature hits like “Telefone,” “Morning Train (9 to 5),” and “We’ve Got Tonight.”

Dressed in a fitted royal blue cocktail dress, Sheena moved confidently across the stage—still playful, still glamorous, still unmistakably herself.

And perhaps that is why audiences continue returning.

Not because performers preserve youth.

But because they preserve authenticity.

The night concluded with “For Your Eyes Only,” earning a standing ovation from an audience fully aware they had witnessed more than nostalgia. They had witnessed longevity.

That matters.

Perhaps we will be fortunate enough to see Sheena again at a Pride event, casino showroom, or another Southern California venue.

If so, I will gladly show up.

And if not?

I can say this with certainty:

She remains worth the drive.

Every mile.

D. Wesley Spencer, Ph.D ch©., is a writer, actor, director, arts educator, and He is the co-author of Universal Creative Intelligence: How the Arts and Sciences Propel Human Advancement, a book exploring how creative thinking shapes learning, leadership, and human progress. He is the co-founder of the Universal Creative Intelligence LLC, and creator of “Universal Leadership Education”. He and his co-founder Marty Treinen are launching ULE, starting in the Coachella Valley. 

He also teaches communication at College of the Desert. Wesley brings a lifelong passion for theater and storytelling to every review he writes. As a columnist for The Palm Springs Tribune, Wesley covers theater, concerts, film, dining, local talent, and cultural events throughout the Coachella Valley. His reviews are known for their warmth, clarity, and deep respect for the power of the arts and the artists and communities they serve.     Wesley Spencer @ 2026 All rights Reserved

Images provided Marty Treinen. All rights reserved.

Wesley@universalcreativeintelligence.com 

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