Bonnie Tyler

Bonnie Tyler
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Name	Bonnie Tyler
Caption	Tyler performing in 2019
Birth name	Gaynor Hopkins
Birth date	8 June 1951
Birth place	Skewen, Glamorgan, Wales
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1975–present
Genre	Rock, pop, country
Label	RCA, Columbia, Chrysalis
Website	bonnietyler.com

Bonnie Tyler is a Welsh singer renowned for her distinctive husky voice and a career spanning over four decades of international success. She first rose to prominence in the late 1970s with the global hit "It's a Heartache" before achieving iconic status in the 1980s with rock anthems like "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Holding Out for a Hero". Her work, characterized by powerful vocals and collaborations with major producers, has earned her multiple platinum records and enduring popularity across Europe and beyond.

Early life and career beginnings

Born Gaynor Hopkins in Skewen, Wales, she was influenced from a young age by singers like Janis Joplin and Tina Turner. After winning a local talent competition, she began performing in pubs and clubs under the name Sherene Davis before adopting the stage name Bonnie Tyler. Her professional break came when she was discovered by Roger Bell, who secured her a contract with RCA Records. Her debut album, *The World Starts Tonight*, was released in 1977 and featured the moderate hit "Lost in France", which charted successfully in several European countries including the United Kingdom and Germany.

Breakthrough and international success

Tyler's international breakthrough arrived with the 1978 single "It's a Heartache", a global smash that reached the top five in the United States on the *Billboard* Hot 100 and topped charts across Europe and Australia. Seeking a new direction, she later collaborated with the renowned producer Jim Steinman, which led to her most successful era. The 1983 album *Faster Than the Speed of Night*, featuring the monumental power ballad "Total Eclipse of the Heart", debuted at number one in the UK Albums Chart and earned her a Grammy Award nomination. Another Steinman-penned track, "Holding Out for a Hero", was featured on the soundtrack for the film *Footloose* and became another worldwide anthem.

Later career and continued popularity

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Tyler maintained a strong following, particularly in continental Europe, releasing albums like *Bitterblue* and *Silhouette in Red* which achieved platinum status in countries such as Norway and Sweden. She ventured into country music with the 2003 album *Heart Strings*. A major resurgence came in 2013 when she represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö with the song "Believe in Me", finishing 19th. Her later rock albums, including *Rocks and Honey* and *Between the Earth and the Stars*, continued to chart well, especially in Germany and Switzerland, demonstrating her lasting appeal.

Musical style and voice

Tyler is instantly recognizable for her powerful, raspy vocal style, a result of vocal cord surgery early in her career. Her music primarily traverses the genres of arena rock and pop rock, often characterized by dramatic production and anthemic song structures. Key collaborators like Jim Steinman and Desmond Child helped shape her signature sound of sweeping ballads and driving rock numbers. Her voice has drawn comparisons to artists like Rod Stewart and has been influential within the female rock vocalist tradition.

Personal life

Tyler has been married to Robert Sullivan, a former judoka, since 1973, and the couple resides in Mumbles, Swansea. She is known for her philanthropic work, supporting charities such as Children in Need and The Alzheimer's Society. An avid football fan, she is a supporter of Swansea City A.F.C. and has performed at numerous sporting events. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to music.

Discography and filmography

Tyler's extensive discography includes over 15 studio albums, with notable titles being *Faster Than the Speed of Night* (1983), *Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire* (1986), and *Wings* (2005). Her greatest hits compilations, such as *The Very Best of Bonnie Tyler*, have sold millions of copies worldwide. Her filmography primarily consists of music video appearances and cameo roles in television series, with her songs featured prominently in major motion pictures like *Footloose* and *Short Circuit 2*.

Awards and recognition

Throughout her career, Tyler has received numerous accolades, including several ECHO Awards from Germany and a Goldene Europa award. She has been honored with multiple Brit Award nominations and received the German Media Award "Bambi" in 2014. Her recordings have earned many gold and platinum certifications from organizations like the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and the Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI). In 2021, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame by Wales's National Eisteddfod.

Category:British rock singers Category:Welsh female singers Category:1951 births Category:Living people