A hearse drove through the streets of Swansea on Saturday as Bonnie Tyler’s coffin was transported to her Welsh home in Mumbles. The legendary “Total Eclipse of the Heart” singer passed away unexpectedly on July 8 at a hospital in Portugal.
Fans threw flowers on to Tyler’s coffin to pay their respects, as thousands lined the streets, while “Total Eclipse of the Heart” played on busy Newton Road. Crying fans broke into applause at the sound of the singer’s most famous song. Her coffin was draped in the Welsh flag and was accompanied by a framed photo of the singer, whose real name was Gaynor Sullivan.
Tyler, 75, made the final journey to her home in Mumbles and her funeral is set to be held at Swansea Minster (Church of St. Mary’s) on Monday, August 17.
Tributes Pour In For The Late Bonnie Tyler
GettyWhen the news broke of her sudden death, tributes poured in from fans, friends and stars, including Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Catherine Zeta-Jones. While Bonnie’s career drew fans from around the world, those living in her coastal Swansea suburb of Mumbles described her as a “Swansea girl through and through.” Moreover, they described Tyler as someone who “never forget where she came from.”
The Guardian quotes a local fan, Carys Edwards, 18, who said Tyler was “an inspiration to everybody.”
“Her music touched a lot of people, especially me. I’m quite surprised how many people came here today, but then not as well, because she was such an icon,” Edwards said, adding, “She was always coming home and making sure that she came back to her fans in Wales.”
Another fan, Angela Powell, said, “She was lovely – just like a friend you’d known all of your life.”
“My mam used to cut Gaynor’s husband Bobbie’s hair and so he would let her into the nightclubs [which he managed] in the town without having to queue.”
“I grew up with her music, but never was fortunate to see her live so coming here today was a way of saying goodbye and paying my respects,” said Monika Macleod-Elliott from Basingstoke. “I think it’s going to be emotional but we’re celebrating and she’d want us to be singing along and happy.”
Other Hit Songs By The Iconic Welsh Singer
While “Total Eclipse of the Heart” is her best-known hit and earned her a Grammy nomination, Bonnie Tyler also sang hits like “It’s a Heartache,” “If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man).” She also received a nomination for her album, “Faster Than the Speed of Night” and her single, “Here She Comes.”
Meanwhile, the popular singer represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013 in Malmö, Sweden, with the song “Believe in Me,” and finished in 19th place.
Private Funeral For Bonnie Tyler
Besides the parade through the streets of Swansea, Tyler’s celebration of life will continue on Monday, at St. Mary’s Church in Swansea. She will then be taken to her hometown in Neath Port Talbot for a private family service.
A funeral notice from William Pressdee Funeralcare, on behalf of Tyler’s family, said she would be remembered as “a warm, generous artist whose music touched generations and continues to fill dance floors and karaoke booths around the world.”
Bonnie Tyler is survived by her husband of more than 50 years, Robert Sullivan.
