It’s always heartbreaking to lose our legends. Bonnie Tyler, known for mega-hits such as “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Holding Out for a Hero,” has died at 75. The Welsh singer-songwriter passed away in Faro, Portugal, after a 57-year music career.
Tyler’s family shared the news of her tragic passing on social media:
“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. We will issue a further statement shortly, but for now ask for privacy to deal with this tragedy.”
Bonnie Tyler Cause of Death
Tyler had been in ill health for a few months, initially in the hospital for emergency surgery on May 6 for a perforated intestine. Her team placed her in a medically induced coma. However, Tyler went into cardiac arrest when her doctors attempted to bring her out of said coma, but they resuscitated her.
On May 12, a spokesperson for the musical artist told the BBC that she remained “seriously ill but stable” in the hospital in Portugal. This person added that her doctors were “still positive” that she would make a full recovery. Tyler awoke from the coma on June 15 but was “very unwell” while in the intensive care unit, and passed away on July 8.
Born Gaynor Hopkins in Skewen, Neath, Wales, Tyler launched her career in April 1969, working as a backup singer for Bobby Wayne & the Dixies. She eventually formed her own band, Imagination, and changed her stage name to Sherene Davis. She signed with RCA Records in 1975, and her rep recommended another name change. Thus, Bonnie Tyler came to be.
Her first single, “My! My! Honeycomb,” was released in April 1976, but it didn’t chart. In 1977, Tyler released “It’s a Heartache,” which became a chart success for her. It also debuted after Tyler underwent surgery to remove nodules from her vocal folds, resulting in her trademark husky singing voice.
In the early ’80s, Tyler signed with CBS/Columbia. She pivoted to rock music, and it proved a boon for her on the commercial front. Her biggest, most enduring hit, “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” was released on Feb. 11, 1983. It skyrocketed to the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Holding Out for a Hero,” which didn’t chart as high as “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” was still a massive success for Tyler, and it was included on the soundtrack for 1984’s Footloose.
Tyler’s representative and music executive Judd Lander praised her in a statement on Thursday:
“Bonnie was unique, she was a one-off, great sense of humor, a stunning voice and great stage presence. The world has lost one hell of a great talent!”
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Melody McCune
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