There aren't many people (perhaps only the big 'Welsh Three' of Jones, Bassey and Shakey) that encapsulate Welsh music more than the glorious Bonnie Tyler.

Born in Swansea as Gaynor Hopkins (she changed her name later) she was blessed with a powerful and melodramatic voice similar to her Cardiff counterpart Shirley Bassey. After winning a talent contest and doing the rounds of South Wales pubs and clubs, Tyler teamed up with writer/producer Ronnie Scott and recorded Lost In France (a million-seller in the USA).

It was only after signing to CBS Records and recording the mighty Total Eclipse Of The Heart that Tyler hit the peak of her career (a peak she has yet to decline from, we might add). In 1984 two Welsh powerhouses collided as Tyler and Shakin' Stevens performed a duet of A Rockin' Good Way to wide critical acclaim.

Her recent album All In One Voice is an impressive collection of ballads and more up-tempo beats but it's live where Tyler performs at her heart-rending best. Anyone who witnessed (and I was lucky enough to be there) her performance of Total Eclipse at the opening of the Welsh Assembly will tell you in hushed tones that the air crackled with real emotional intensity. 23 years in the business and still going strong - Bonnie Tyler, Princess of the Welsh ballad, we salute you.

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