Spice Girls’ Melanie C says Bonnie Tyler was ‘wild as her hair and voice was’
By Casey Cooper-Fiske, Press Association Senior Entertainment Reporter
Former Spice Girls singer Melanie C has hailed Bonnie Tyler as being “as wild as her hair and voice was” following the Welsh pop star’s death aged 75.
The 52-year-old was speaking at the Nordoff And Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards at London’s Royal Albert Hall, where she won the global impact award, on Thursday, when it was announced the Total Eclipse Of The Heart singer had died on Wednesday, months after being treated in intensive care.
The singer, whose real name is Melanie Chisholm, told the Press Association about Tyler: “Legendary, what an incredible voice, what an incredible woman.
“I was lucky enough to work with her once, we were both on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, so we had a scream together, she was so much fun, and it’s a great loss, and it made me feel very sad to hear that today, I know she’s been poorly for a little while, but it was still sad to hear the news.
“She was just what you imagine, she was as wild as her hair and her voice was, that was her personality, fiery, funny.”
Tyler’s time in intensive care came after she was placed in an induced coma following emergency intestinal surgery.
Also paying tribute to Tyler at the Royal Albert Hall was popstar Jessie J, 38, who won the outstanding achievement award, who said: “(She was the) most beautiful thing, and god rest her soul… music never dies, she’s an example of her music standing the test of time.
“Her melodies and lyrics, and stories that she gave us will live forever and ever, that’s the beauty of it…
“I just hope that true artists, especially young females will still be created in that way, being themselves, making amazing music, and don’t follow this AI (artificial intelligence) crap, and really write amazing songs and stay being who they are and keep real amazing music alive.”
Singer-songwriter Rachel Chinouriri, who won best new music at the awards, was also among the stars paying tribute to Tyler at the awards, describing her as “an inspiration to so many people” and calling the news “really heartbreaking”.
During her career Tyler achieved five UK number one singles, including Total Eclipse Of The Heart, with her other well-known songs including Lost In France, It’s A Heartache and Holding Out For A Hero.
Tyler also scored a UK number one album with Faster Than The Speed Of Night in 1983, continued to make music and perform until her death, having released her 18th studio album The Best Is Yet To Come in 2021.
The singer represented the UK in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, with the song Believe In Me finishing in 19th place.
She was made an MBE in 2023 for services to music.