Bryan Adams has hailed the late Bonnie Tyler for her “beautiful” rendition of one of his songs. The track in question featured as the B-side to Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart. Tyler died at the age of 75, with her death announced earlier today (July 9). The Holding Out for a Hero hitmaker died “unexpectedly” in Portugal last night, a statement on her website confirmed.
It reads: “Bonnie’s family and team are heartbroken to announce that Bonnie unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for. We will issue a further statement shortly but for now ask for privacy to deal with this tragedy.” Praise for Tyler has since been shared by industry legends, with Summer of ’69 songwriter Adams hailing the late pop powerhouse.
He took to X and wrote: “Dear Bonnie Tyler passed today, she had such a great voice, and I’ll always be grateful for her beautiful version of Straight From The Heart. Thanks Bonnie. RIP.”
Adams wrote the song with Eric Kanga and it proved to be his breakthrough hit, entering the Top 10 on the US Billboard 200 on its release in February 1983. Tyler performed a cover of the song and used it as a B-side to Total Eclipse of the Heart. It also featured on her album Faster Than the Speed of Night.
Tyler was rushed to a hospital in Faro, Portugal, for emergency intestinal surgery and placed in an induced coma to aid her recovery in May of this year, BBC News reported. A spokesperson confirmed last month that she was out of the coma but remained in intensive care. At the time, they said her condition was improving and doctors were “confident” she would recover though progress was “slow”.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to Tyler earlier today. The statement reads: “The prime minister is indeed saddened to hear about the death of Bonnie Tyler, one of Britain’s greatest recording artists,” a Downing Street spokesman says.
“An iconic figure, she leaves behind a catalogue of music – from Total Eclipse of the Heart, to Holding Out for a Hero – which continues to touch lives, flood dance floors and fill karaoke booths. The prime minister’s thoughts are very much with her friends and family.”
Singer Cliff Richard added: “Bonnie’s infectious zest for life entertained so many around the world. It’s shocking news to wake up to you this morning and I send my love to her family at this very sad time.”
Tyler performed her final show on March 26 at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire, where she covered Creedence Clearwater Revival, KISS, and Adams’ Straight from the Heart.
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