MUMBLES, Wales — Hundreds of Bonnie Tyler fans lined the streets of the Welsh village of Mumbles on Saturday as the coffin of the legendary singer was brought back to her former home, with mourners applauding and singing her signature hit “Total Eclipse of the Heart” as the hearse passed.
The coffin, draped in the Welsh flag, was carried in a hearse from a funeral home in Mumbles to Tyler’s former residence. Fans and residents gathered along the route to pay their respects, with some traveling from across the United Kingdom and beyond to honor the Welsh singer.
The emotional procession came ahead of a celebration of Tyler’s life scheduled for Monday in Swansea.
Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins, died on July 8 at the age of 75 at a hospital in Portugal. Her death was reported after she underwent emergency surgery for an intestinal problem. Reuters and the Associated Press reported that her family had announced her death following the hospitalization.
Tyler was born in Skewen, near Swansea, and grew up in a former mining community in South Wales. She became one of Wales’ most internationally recognized singers, known for her distinctive husky voice and powerful rock performances.
Her biggest international success came with “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” written by Jim Steinman. Released in 1983, the song reached No. 1 in both the United Kingdom and the United States and became one of the defining power ballads of the decade.
Other major Tyler hits included “It’s a Heartache” and “Holding Out for a Hero,” the latter of which featured prominently in the soundtrack of the 1984 film Footloose. She received three Grammy nominations during her career and represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013.
Tyler remained closely connected to Wales despite her international career and years spent living partly abroad. In 2022, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, or MBE, by Queen Elizabeth II for her contribution to music.
The return of Tyler’s coffin to Wales is part of the arrangements for her final farewell. A celebration of life for family and friends is scheduled at Swansea Minster on Monday, followed by a procession through Skewen, her hometown, before a private family service.
Tyler’s family has invited members of the public to line the streets during the procession to pay their respects. They have also asked that, instead of flowers, supporters consider donations to the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales and Cerebral Palsy Cymru, charities supported by Tyler.
For the fans who gathered in Mumbles on Saturday, singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” as Tyler’s coffin passed offered a final public tribute to a singer whose distinctive voice and enduring hits made her one of Wales’ best-known musical figures.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
