British singer Bonnie Tyler, an 80s icon, dies at 75

Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer famed for her distinctive "rawk 'n' roll" voice and 1980s hits, has died at the age of 75, the BBC reported Thursday, citing a statement on her official website.

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Turn around, Every now and then I get a little bit lonely

Known for her blonde mane, gravelly voice, and embrace of kitsch, Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins, maintained a career spanning nearly five decades without significant lulls. Her international hits include "It's a Heartache" (1977), "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (1983), and "Holding Out for a Hero" (1984).

Tyler, who was married for nearly 50 years to a former judo champion, lived in Albufeira, Portugal, with her yacht and several apartments. She was childless but had a large extended family, frequently hosting nieces, nephews, and their children. When not in Portugal, she was often on the road across Europe with her band, particularly in Germany, which was her primary market and home to her record label.

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A force, je me débrouille mieux en allemand qu’en welsh

Growing up in Skewen, Wales, Tyler came from a modest background with a miner father and a homemaker mother. Her home was filled with music, from her mother's love of opera to her brothers' Elvis Presley records and her sisters' Frank Sinatra tunes. She cited Janis Joplin and Tina Turner as influences. After leaving school early, she began singing covers in pubs six nights a week, eventually forming her own band before a talent scout discovered her in 1976.

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et d’amour