Bonnie Tyler has died aged 75. BBC News reports that the singer died “unexpectedly” in a Portuguese hospital “as a result of the illness that she was being treated for”.
Born Gaynor Hopkins in the south Wales, Tyler worked in a grocery shop while singing in local clubs before earning a record deal in the mid-Seventies. Her breakthrough came with 1977’s “It’s a Heartache”, but the dramatic, larger-than-life pop she made with producer Jim Steinman turned her into an international star. Tyler remained a formidable live attraction well into her seventies.
Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to Tyler from the likes of Cliff Richard – who wrote about “Bonnie’s infectious zest for life entertained so many around the world” – Pete Waterman, who described her” equal to Tina Turner” and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who says “she leaves behind a catalogue of music – from Total Eclipse of the Heart, to Holding Out for a Hero – which continues to touch lives, flood dance floors and fill karaoke booths.”
Here are Tyler’s five greatest moments.
1. Total Eclipse of the Heart (1983)
Tyler’s defining recording. Her enormous vocal performance turned a grand, melodramatic ballad into one of pop’s most enduring songs.
2. Holding Out For A Hero (1984)
Fast, urgent and unapologetically theatrical, this high-energy anthem remains a staple of films, television and sporting events.
3. It’s A Heartache (1977)
The song that first introduced her gravelly voice to a mass audience, balancing country influences with mainstream pop appeal.
4. Faster Than the Speed Of Night (1983)
A towering rock production that showcased Tyler’s knack for combining raw emotion with larger-than-life musical drama.
5. Lost In France (1976)
An early hit that revealed a more melodic side to Tyler and helped establish her as a rising star.