Welsh singer Mary Hopkin was born on this day 3rd May 1950 in Pontardawe, South Wales.
Singing from an early age she began her career as a folk singer with the Selby Set and Mary releasing Welsh language songs for the Cambrian record label based in her hometown.
She was signed to Apple Records following a recommendation by superstar 60s model Twiggy after seeing Hopkins on the talent show Opportunity Knocks.
Her debut single "Those Were The Days" produced by Paul McCartney reached No.1 in the U.K. Charts and No.2 in the US in 1968, whilst her debut album Postcard, featuring songs by Donovan and Harry Nilsson, reached No.3 in the U.K. album charts.
In 1970, Hopkin represented UK in that year's Eurovision Song Contest with "Knock Knock, Who's There?" just being pipped by the Irish singer Dana with "All Kinds Of Everything"
After marrying famous Bowie/Bolan producer Tony Visconti, Hopkin, disappointed with the music business took a break though continued to record and sing on albums being produced by her husband including artists like Bowie, Thin Lizzy, Sparks, Hazel O'Connor.
Still recording to this day, Hopkin continues to release material whilst daughter Jessica Lee Morgan and son Morgan Visconti have also followed in the family tradition, both recording and performing their own music.
