Bonnie Tyler dies: Remembering a pop icon

She was the instantly recognisable, raspy-voiced rock singer whose iconic hits have maintained popularity across generations. Born as Gaynor Hopkins in 1951, Bonnie Tyler, as she would later become known, grew up in a working-class family in a small village near Swansea, who would believe this powerful singer was once a shy teenager. After seven years performing in pubs and clubs around South Wales, Tyler's big break came when she was spotted by a talent scout. Her first major hit, Lost in France, was released in 1976, but it would be her mega-hit. Every now and then I fall apart, and I need you now tonight, and I need you more than ever. Total Eclipse of the Heart, which propelled her to international stardom, topped the charts four weeks. Decades later, in anticipation of the total solar eclipse of August 2017, during which she performed her most iconic song live on a cruise ship, the hit became the number one downloaded in America. And earlier this year, 43 years after its initial release, the chart-topper cemented its place as one of the most famous power ballads of all time by surpassing a billion streams on Spotify. Tyler also represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013, and was made an MBE for her services to music in 2023. You know, there's a plane going over there now, and every time I fly over there, I look at this place, I never thought I'd actually be here, you know, but I'm here! No one could deny her presence, having spent over 50 years in the music industry. Even at the age of 74, the blonde-haired 80s queen had gigs lined up across Europe from later on this month. Although those performances now won't be going ahead, Bonnie Tyler's music isn't going anywhere just yet. So, Bonnie Tyler, great to talk to you. You're still on the cruise ship. You must be amazed and thrilled that you're top of the download charts. Absolutely, yeah. Number one. And Justin Bieber's number two. And all them years ago, when Total Eclipse was first released, I knocked Pink Floyd off the top with The Wall, so now this time it's Justin Bieber. I remember it well, Bonnie. So take me through what it was like on the cruise ship, and when you were singing your classic as the whole of America's eyes were turning to the eclipse. I know, it's crazy. I mean, I sang it with DNC, a young, vibrant band, and they were fabulous. We got on great. The performance was, it went really well. And then after the performance, we went up to the top deck then to look at the eclipse with our glasses and everything, you know, and everybody was getting so excited. And it was, it was wonderful. But I mean, I was just lucky that I happened to be off this these couple of days. We came from Lebanon to the boat. I've been on tour with my band. And yeah, so it worked out great. And who could have imagined when you were singing it back in the 80s? We remember it so well. Could you ever have imagined it would be the perfect moment at a Total Eclipse to align the two? What was going through your mind? No, of course, I didn't think about it, you know, but I suppose it's an obvious song to play on the Total Eclipse of the sun. But you know, it still amazes me how people do that. I mean, it says on Billboard that the sales are 500% up. You know, it's crazy, but it's great. And these sales were building all through the week ahead of the eclipse. I mean, it had a real momentum with it, didn't it? Yeah, well, you know, it's everywhere. It's always been an evergreen song, you know, I mean, all these talent shows, it's on there all the time, either that or holding out for a hero, you know. But yeah, it is a massive song. But I was very happy to be part of this, you know. And how did your audience react to you? They must have been thrilled to bits. Oh, they go nuts. I tell you what, I've been doing so much talking on, you know, doing all these interviews that I've been on all over the American TV, you know, breakfast TVs, all of them. And, you know, it's just been manic. But I'd be glad to get off now. And Bonnie, just finally, before we let you go, have you been booked for the next one? Well, you know, somebody already mentioned it to me. I can't remember when they said it was, but of course, I don't plan anything around that time, you know, but I'm sure somebody will ask. Oh, well, it's been great to talk to you and congratulations. It's been in all of our heads today as we saw it climbing the charts, Bonnie, congratulations. I bet you're climbing the walls listening to it all the time. Anyway, thank you. It's been great to relive the 80s, Bonnie, thank you. All right, bye-bye then.