Bonnie Tyler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bonnie Tyler MBE
Tyler in 2016
Background information
Birth name	Gaynor Hopkins
Born	(1951-06-08) 8 June 1951 (age 74) Skewen, Neath, Wales
Genres	Rock country pop pop rock soft rock
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1969–present
Labels	RCA Columbia Hansa EastWest CMC Yanis Stick Music earMUSIC

Bonnie Tyler (born Gaynor Hopkins on June 8, 1951) is a Welsh singer famous for her powerful, husky voice. She became a star in 1977 with her album The World Starts Tonight and hit songs like "Lost in France" and "More Than a Lover." Her single "It's a Heartache" was a huge success, reaching the top five in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

In the 1980s, Tyler started working with songwriter and producer Jim Steinman. He wrote her biggest hit, "Total Eclipse of the Heart," which was the main song from her number-one album Faster Than the Speed of Night (1983). Steinman also wrote another one of her famous songs, "Holding Out for a Hero."

In 2013, she sang for the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with her song "Believe in Me." She has continued to release albums, including Between the Earth and the Stars (2019) and The Best Is Yet to Come (2021).

Tyler has been nominated for three Grammy Awards and three Brit Awards. In 2022, she was awarded an MBE by the Queen for her work in music.

Early Life

Bonnie Tyler was born Gaynor Hopkins on June 8, 1951, in Skewen, Wales. Her father, Glyndŵr, was a coal miner, and her mother, Elsie, was a homemaker. She grew up in a busy house with three sisters and two brothers. Her siblings listened to all kinds of music, from Elvis Presley to the Beatles, which influenced her from a young age.

She left school at 16 and worked in a grocery shop. Her family was religious, and her first time singing in public was in a chapel.

In 1969, her aunt entered her into a local talent contest, where she came in second place. This inspired her to become a singer. She joined a band and later formed her own, called Imagination. To avoid being confused with another Welsh singer, Mary Hopkin, she changed her name to Sherene Davis.

Career

1975–1978: First Albums and a Voice Change

In 1975, a talent scout named Roger Bell saw Sherene Davis singing and invited her to London to record a demo. RCA Records later offered her a recording contract. They suggested she change her name again, so she looked through a newspaper and chose "Bonnie Tyler."

Her first single, "My! My! Honeycomb," didn't become a hit. But her next song, "Lost in France," reached number 9 on the UK charts. This led to her first appearance on the popular music show Top of the Pops.

In 1977, Tyler had an operation to remove nodules from her vocal cords. Her doctor told her not to speak for six weeks, but one day she screamed out of frustration. This accident gave her voice its famous raspy, husky sound.

Later that year, she released "It's a Heartache." The song was a massive international hit. It reached number 4 in the UK and number 3 in the United States. Her second album, Natural Force, sold over half a million copies in the US.

1979–1981: A New Direction

Tyler released two more albums, Diamond Cut and Goodbye to the Island. She felt that her record label, RCA, was pushing her to make more country-style music, which she didn't want to do. When her contract ended, she decided not to renew it and looked for a new sound.

1982–1989: The Rock Years and "Total Eclipse of the Heart"

Bonnie Tyler in 1986

Tyler signed with CBS/Columbia Records and wanted to work with producer Jim Steinman. Steinman was known for his epic rock songs with the singer Meat Loaf. At first, Steinman said no, but he changed his mind after hearing the rock songs Tyler wanted to record.

Steinman wrote "Total Eclipse of the Heart" just for her. He called it a "showpiece" for her unique voice. Released in 1983, the song became one of the best-selling singles of all time, selling over six million copies.

Her album Faster Than the Speed of Night went straight to number 1 on the UK charts. This success earned her nominations for two Grammy Awards.

During the mid-1980s, Tyler also had hits from movie soundtracks. She recorded "Holding Out for a Hero" for the movie Footloose and "Here She Comes" for the 1927 film Metropolis, which earned her another Grammy nomination.

1990–2000: Success in Europe

Tyler at her home in Wales, 1993

In the 1990s, Tyler became very popular in mainland Europe. She signed with Hansa Records and worked with German producer Dieter Bohlen.

Her 1991 album, Bitterblue, was a huge success in countries like Austria and Norway, where it was number 1 for eleven weeks. The title song, "Bitterblue", was a top 40 hit across Europe. She followed this with two more successful albums, Angel Heart (1992) and Silhouette in Red (1993).

In 1995, she released Free Spirit, which included work with her old producer, Jim Steinman.

2001–2013: New Recordings and Eurovision

In 2001, Tyler released a Greatest Hits album, which was a top 20 hit in the UK. In 2003, she released Heart Strings, an album of cover songs recorded with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

That same year, she re-recorded "Total Eclipse of the Heart" as a duet with French singer Kareen Antonn. The new version, called "Si demain... (Turn Around)", was sung in both French and English. It went to number 1 in France and Belgium, staying at the top for ten weeks.

Bonnie Tyler with Matt Prior in an acoustic concert in "Familiengarten Eberswalde" (27 May 2006).

In 2013, the BBC asked Tyler to represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest. She sang "Believe in Me" from her album Rocks and Honey. Although she finished in 19th place, Tyler said it was an "incredible experience." She later won two Eurovision Song Contest Radio Awards for Best Song and Best Female Singer.

Tyler rehearsing for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö, Sweden.

2019–Present: Recent Albums and Tours

In 2019, Tyler reunited with her first producer, David Mackay, to record the album Between the Earth and the Stars. The album featured duets with famous singers like Rod Stewart, Francis Rossi, and Cliff Richard.

She released her latest studio album, The Best Is Yet to Come, in 2021. In 2022, she toured South America for the first time. Her life story, Straight from the Heart, was published in 2023. In April 2024, she released a live album called In Berlin.

Artistry

Influences

Growing up, Tyler was influenced by powerful female singers like Janis Joplin and Tina Turner. She has said that Tina Turner's version of "River Deep – Mountain High" is her favorite song of all time. She also listened to artists like Aretha Franklin, Joe Cocker, and Dusty Springfield.

Vocal Style

Tyler is known for her powerful and raspy voice. After her throat surgery in 1977, her voice was often compared to male rock singers like Rod Stewart. Producer Jim Steinman felt her voice was perfect for the grand, emotional rock songs he wrote, like "Total Eclipse of the Heart." Critics have called her voice "wonderfully gritty" and "inimitable" (meaning it can't be copied).

Personal Life

In 1973, Tyler married Robert Sullivan, a property developer and former Olympic judo competitor. They do not have children.

Since 1988, Tyler and her husband have owned a home in Albufeira, Portugal, where they spend a lot of their time. They have also invested in property, including farmland in Portugal and New Zealand, and a quarry.

Charity Work

Tyler has been involved in charity work throughout her career. She has been a patron for the Bobath Children's Therapy Centre in Wales, which helps children with cerebral palsy. She is also an ambassador for the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales.

She has performed at many benefit concerts to raise money for causes like disaster relief and cancer research. In 2019, she performed at the Vatican's annual Christmas concert in front of Pope Francis.

Discography

Studio albums

See also

In Spanish: Bonnie Tyler para niños

• List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
• List of artists who reached number one in the United States