Bonnie Tyler
The United Kingdom has long been holding out for a Eurovision hero, and now the wait could be over: today the BBC confirmed that international musical legend Bonnie Tyler will represent the UK in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest. Bonniewill be flying the flag for the United Kingdom at the 58th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, in front of an estimated global audience of over 120 million viewers.
Bonnie says, “I am truly honoured and delighted to be able to represent my country at Eurovision, and especially with such a fabulous song. I promise to give this everything that I’ve got for the UK!
Katie Taylor, BBC Controller, Entertainment and Events says: “Bonnie Tyler is truly a global superstar with a fantastic voice and we are delighted she will be flying the flag for the UK in Malmö”
She will be performing the song Believe In Me, which was written by Desmond Child, Lauren Christy and Christopher Braide, and produced by David Huff. The Eurovision Song Competition will take place on Saturday 18th May in Malmö, Sweden, broadcast live on BBC One & BBC One HD, with commentary by Graham Norton and live on BBC Radio 2 with commentary from Ken Bruce.
With a career spanning four decades and a voice instantly identifiable the world over, Bonnie is the international first lady of rock. Born in Skewen, Neath, South Wales, Tyler grew up listening to and being influenced by the legendary female artists of the day, such as Janis Joplin and Tina Turner. Bonnie’s breakthrough hit was her second ever single “Lost In France” which climbed to No.9 in the UK charts. The track was then released in Europe and became a huge hit, staying in the Top Ten in Germany for over six months.
The 80’s saw even greater success. A burgeoning collaboration with epic rock pioneer Jim Steinman garnered phenomenal international recognition with the album “Faster Than The Speed Of Night”, and multi-platinum selling power ballad “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”. Continuing their working
relationship – “Holding Out For A Hero”, from the soundtrack to the film “Footloose”, proved similarly popular. Tyler was impacting the European market so much that in 2003 recorded a dual-language cover of “Total Eclipse”, with French artist Kareen Antonn titled “Si demain (Turn Around)” which topped the charts in Belgium, Poland and France, the latter for ten weeks.
Bonnie is due to release her incredible new album ‘Rocks and Honey’ on 6th May.
