Welsh singing star Bonnie Tyler, known for a string of hits including Total Eclipse of the Heart, has died aged 75. Bonnie passed away on Wednesday night, weeks after she was placed into an induced coma following emergency intestinal surgery in Portugal.
A message posted on her website confirming the news said: "Bonnie's family and team are heartbroken to announce that Bonnie unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for." Bonnie was placed into a coma in May, but a few weeks ago, it was revealed she had woken up, though she remained "seriously ill". At the time it was thought she would make a full recovery.
Early Life and Discovery
Bonnie, whose real name was Gaynor Hopkins, grew up on a council estate in Skewen, near Neath. She was discovered at the Townsman Club in Swansea by talent scout Roger Bell who invited her to London to record a demo tape in 1975 and released her first single, Lost in France, in 1977.
Her major hits came after some missing strawberries led to her voice changing forever and becoming the husky vocal that would top the charts. After consulting a doctor she was informed that she had developed nodules on her vocal cords as the result of so much singing and that the only option was for them to be surgically removed. Once the operation was done, she was told, she would have to rest her voice completely for six weeks – not even speaking, let alone singing. She had been doing well in recovery, but on the way to visit her brother in hospital she realised she had left some strawberries for him at home and let out an anguished yelp in annoyance.
Years later in her autobiography, she explained: "I was so frustrated that I’d have to drive all the way back home, I let out an ‘Oh no!’ scream." She was told by doctors there had been permanent damage from the scream. But what could have ended her career, actually turned out to be a blessing. When it finally healed and she tried to sing again, her voice had changed. Her already husky tones had acquired a new gravelly rasp – and her producers loved it.
Rise to Fame
"When I went into the studio they all said, ‘Bloody ‘ell, where’s that voice come from?'" she later recalled. "I now sounded like a female Rod Stewart." Her first major success was the song It's A Heartache, also released in 1977 and going to number four on the UK singles chart and three on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Six years later, her new trademark sound found its perfect setting in her biggest hit, Total Eclipse Of The Heart, a soaring, over-the-top power ballad that topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. With its huge production – all swooping piano chords and demented, heart-on-sleeve lyrics – it epitomised a certain kind of 1980s excess. It was written for her by Jim Steinman – best-known as Meat Loaf’s producer – who admitted that even he thought it went a bit too far to be a popular success. "I never thought it had a prayer as a single," he told People magazine in the US. "It was an aria to me, a Wagnerian-like onslaught of sound and emotion. I wrote it to be a showpiece for her voice."
Steinman also wrote and produced her follow-up single – Holding Out For A Hero – which featured in the movie Footloose and provided her with another massive hit. After that, singles chart success proved elusive – although she continued to tour and record prolifically.
Later Career and Eurovision
The 1990s were, in contrast, a relatively quiet period, at least in terms of chart success in the UK – although she remained hugely popular in continental Europe. The 2000s, however, saw a revival of interest at home with a cameo in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, in which she appeared in a dream sequence performing a version of Holding Out For A Hero. She was chosen to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest with Believe In Me in 2013 – but was unable to break Britain’s long run of failure finishing 19th out 26, scoring just 23 points. Afterwards, she insisted that she was not disappointed with the result, declaring: "I did the best that I could do with a great song. I don’t feel down and I’m ready to party."
Last year, she teamed up with producers David Guetta and Hypaton for a club version of Total Eclipse of the Heart called Together, and earlier this year, the original version passed a billion streams on Spotify. The singer's last show was at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on March 19 earlier this year. She had been due to perform in Cardiff a few days later, on 21 March, but this concert was rescheduled to December. After her hospitalisation, a spokesperson announced the cancellation or postponement of dates for the singer's planned summer tour - but hoped some could still take place later in the year. Sadly she never returned to the stage.
Personal Life and Tributes
Away from music, she was 22 when she married her first serious boyfriend, Robert Sullivan – a property developer and former Olympic judo competitor. Having delayed starting a family because of her career, she became pregnant at the age of 39 only to miscarry. The couple did not try for another child.
English record producer Pete Waterman described Tyler as "one of the great British artists". He said: "She had an amazing voice, and was equal to Tina Turner in my opinion." Fellow pop star Cliff Richard also mourned "another wonderful friend gone too soon". On social media he said: "Bonnie’s infectious zest for life entertained so many around the world." He also described her as "a good friend to all, including me" and added: "It's shocking news to wake up to you this morning and I send my love to her family at this very sad time."
Broadcaster and media personality Carol Vorderman was devastated to hear the news of Bonnie Tyler's death. "I am a Welsh woman, and believe me in Wales Bonnie Tyler is regarded as a legend - particularly amongst women," Vorderman wrote on Instagram. "She was extraordinary. I met her a number of times. She was very real. She was always laughing, asking questions, always having a good time." Vorderman said that the singer will be "very very sorely missed". She added: "My heart goes out to her family - she was very much a family woman, and all of her really good friends. A very sad day."
Downing Street said Sir Keir Starmer was saddened to hear about the death of Welsh pop star Tyler. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: "The Prime Minister is indeed saddened to hear about the death of Bonnie Tyler, one of Britain’s greatest recording artists. An iconic figure, 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." He added: "The Prime Minister’s thoughts are very much with her friends and family."
Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth described Bonnie Tyler as a "true icon" in a tribute on social media. He said: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Bonnie Tyler. Wales has lost a true icon, whose music brought joy to so many. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and fans across the world."
Family friend Owen Money told the BBC that Bonnie "was one of those ladies who just loved life". The musician and radio presenter said: "I've known her since before she was famous, in the late 60s when she was starting out in Swansea. She's like family really. I was up her house last summer and the first thing she did was open a bottle of champagne." Speaking following her death, he added: "I’ve been in disbelief, I can’t believe it. She was a massive fan of my show and I was a massive fan of hers. Not only were we friends but we were fans of each other. She was still huge in Europe, Germany, Holland, she was just so good. She's a Welsh icon."
Actor Catherine Zeta-Jones, a long-time friend and family connection of Bonnie Tyler, said her "heart is broken". "Our Queen Bonnie….. you were such a part of my life," she wrote on Instagram, sharing a picture of them the night before her wedding to Michael Douglas, where Tyler sang. Zeta-Jones described her as an "extraordinary woman with vocals to match". "A one of kind artist, who so easily could have been a comedian because she was one of the funniest people I ever met. Thank you Bonnie for the joy you brought so many."
In a Facebook post, Bonnie Tyler's brother Paul Hopkins also paid tribute to the singer following her death aged 75. "Yesterday my sister lost her battle with her illness," he wrote. "We are totally devastated as a family, she was such a loving, wonderful human, she always had time for all her family, friends and her fans." Hopkins ended with a message to his sister: "I will love you forever."
