Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer renowned for her powerful, raspy voice and global hits like "Total Eclipse of the Heart," has died at the age of 75. Born Gaynor Hopkins, she passed away after a life in music that spanned decades and produced enduring rock anthems.
Tyler's career began in the 1970s, gaining initial recognition with her 1977 single "Lost in France." The same year, her country-pop ballad "It's a Heartache" achieved significant chart success, reaching number four on the UK singles chart and number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
Her most significant breakthrough came in 1983 with the dramatic rock song "Total Eclipse of the Heart." Penned by Jim Steinman, who also wrote for Meat Loaf, the song was originally conceived as part of a musical adaptation of the film Nosferatu and titled "Vampires in Love." "Total Eclipse of the Heart" topped charts on both sides of the Atlantic and earned Tyler a Grammy nomination. She expressed continued fondness for the song, noting its universal appeal.
Another major hit from the 1980s, "Holding Out for a Hero," also written by Steinman, was featured on the soundtrack for the film Footloose and later appeared in Shrek 2. The song became another signature track in her repertoire.
Tyler represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013, securing 19th place. In recognition of her contributions to music, she was appointed an MBE in 2023.
In recent years, Tyler revisited "Total Eclipse of the Heart," releasing a club version titled "Together" in 2023, produced by David Guetta and Hypaton. The original song achieved another milestone this year, surpassing one billion streams on Spotify.
Tyler, who was discovered by talent scout Roger Bell in a Swansea club, grew up in a council house in Neath. She performed her hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart" on a cruise ship in the Caribbean during a solar eclipse in 2017.
She is survived by her husband of over 50 years, Robert Sullivan.