Search

The Online Encyclopedia and Dictionary

 
     
 

Encyclopedia

Dictionary

Quotes

 

Mary Hopkin

Mary Hopkin (born May 3 1950) is a British singer.

Born in Pontardawe, Wales, she grew up Welsh-speaking and began her musical career as a folk singer. She was "discovered" by Twiggy, and as a result became one of the first artists to record on The Beatles' "Apple" record label. She recorded the single "Goodbye" a Lennon-McCartney track never officially released by the Beatles. Her debut LP, produced by Paul McCartney and featuring covers of three songs by Donovan (who played on the album), as well as one each by George Martin and Harry Nillson, also included her best-known hit, "Those Were The Days", the melody of which had been appropriated from a Russian folk song.

Despite competition from a well-established star, Sandie Shaw, who recorded the same single at the same time, Mary had a number one hit with "Those Were the Days", and represented the United Kingdom in the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest with "Knock, Knock, Who's There?". After marrying record producer Tony Visconti, she withdrew from the pop music scene in order to have a family. One of her last recorded performances was her backing vocals for the 1977 David Bowie album Low.

Hopkin and Visconti have subsequently divorced.

External link

Last updated: 08-30-2005 17:07:10
The contents of this article are licensed from Wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. How to see transparent copy