Bonnie Tyler on Losing Her Mum, Miscarriage, and Friendship with Tina Turner

TW: miscarriage This week, brace yourself for A TOTAL ECLIPSE… of all other podcast episodes, because this one’s a total banger. I could not have asked for a more open, hilarious, moving or riveting encounter than with the formidable Bonnie Tyler. She grew up in a working-class Welsh family and answered a newspaper ad for a backing singer when she was 17. From there, she went on to be one of the most iconic recording artists of all time. Her hit singles include It’s A Heartache, Holding Out for a Hero and, of course, Total Eclipse of the Heart. At 72, Bonnie is still hard at work, and managed to squeeze in an hour on How to Fail between gigs and the release of her new album, In Berlin. It’s also her first ever podcast interview. You might want to bring the tissues for this one, as we have a bit of a weep when Bonnie talks about losing her amazing mum. We also touch on miscarriage and a childfree life. Plus: Bonnie’s failure at elocution lessons, the fascinating story behind her friendship with Tina Turner, performing for Putin (no, really), being a bit of a hoarder and the secret to a 50-year marriage. 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Bonnie Tyler: An Introduction 06:12 Total Eclipse of the Heart & the Iconic Video 08:52 Her Raspy Voice: Nodules, Surgery & a Happy Accident 12:19 Touring the Soviet Union & Singing for Putin 15:35 Failure #1: Elocution Lessons (Trying to Lose Her Welsh Accent) 23:37 Family, Loss & the Father Christmas Napkin 31:29 Failure #2: Recording 'The Best' Before Tina Turner 38:46 Marriage, Miscarriage & Life Without Children 43:38 Failure #3: Hoarding Clothes & Defying Surgeons Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected] 👋 Follow How To Fail & Elizabeth: Instagram: @elizabday TikTok: @howtofailpod Podcast Instagram: @howtofailpod Website: www.elizabethday.org Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com All guest booking for How To Fail comes from an official @sonymusic email address.