Swansea will open a book of condolence for Bonnie Tyler on Monday, giving people in the city three weeks to write their own tribute to the singer from Skewen.
The book will sit at Y Storfa on Oxford Street in the city centre from Monday 3 August until Friday 21 August, available to sign during the building’s normal opening hours.
An online book has also been opened for anyone who cannot get into town.
The Welsh flag is flying at half-mast on the Rotunda at the Guildhall as a mark of respect, and the Lord Mayor has written to the singer’s family with condolences on behalf of the people of Swansea.
Both the Lord Mayor, Cllr Penny Matthews, and council leader Cllr Rob Stewart have already signed.
“I was deeply saddened to hear of Bonnie Tyler’s passing,” Cllr Matthews said.
“Bonnie’s journey from South Wales to international stardom inspired generations and brought enormous pride to Swansea and Wales. Her music touched millions of people around the world, but she never lost sight of her roots.”
She said she had written to the family to let them know how much the singer had meant to people in Swansea, and hoped residents would take the chance to leave a message and celebrate what she called a truly remarkable life.
Cllr Stewart described Bonnie Tyler as one of Wales’ great musical ambassadors and one of the most recognisable voices in popular music.
“From South Wales clubs to worldwide success, she achieved extraordinary things while remaining a source of pride for communities across our region,” he said.
“Her songs became the soundtrack to countless lives and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations.”
Bonnie Tyler died in hospital in Portugal on 8 July at the age of 75, two months after emergency surgery. She rose to worldwide fame with It’s a Heartache, Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out for a Hero, and her death drew tributes from musicians and fans around the world.
Neath Port Talbot Council led its own tributes to the singer it made a Freewoman of the borough 15 years ago.
Her homecoming falls while the book is open
Her funeral arrangements are already set. Her coffin will be brought home to Mumbles on Saturday 15 August, reaching Newton Road at about 3.30pm, with mourners invited to line the street.
The celebration of her life follows at Swansea Minster on Monday 17 August, a public service with doors opening at 11am ahead of a noon start. It will be screened outside the church and streamed on her official website, before the cortege travels back through Skewen from around 1.20pm.
Both fall inside the three weeks the book of condolence is open, which closes four days after the service.
Book of condolence: the details
Y Storfa, 277-278 Oxford Street, Swansea, from Monday 3 August to Friday 21 August.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9am to 5.30pm. Wednesday: 9am to 7pm. Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 4pm.
Our Bonnie Tyler coverage
BONNIE TYLER: Total Eclipse of the Heart superstar from Skewen dies aged 75
From a Skewen chapel to a billion streams, her remarkable life story.
BONNIE TYLER: Public invited to Swansea Minster farewell as funeral route is confirmed
The full arrangements, street by street, through Mumbles and Skewen.
BONNIE TYLER: Fans invited to line Newton Road as funeral details announced
The original arrangements, and her family’s funeral notice in full.
BONNIE TYLER: Neath Port Talbot mourns ‘Gaynor’
The local tributes, 15 years after the borough made her a Freewoman.
GOWER: Swansea Sound weatherman John ‘The Weather’ Powell dies aged 92
The voice behind the station’s forecasts for almost 35 years.
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