Showing posts with label Mary Hopkin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mary Hopkin. Show all posts

Pop Focus: Mary Hopkin!

Mary Hopkin was the first signing to the Beatles' Apple Records company in 1968. Just 18 years old, the Welsh singer was spotted on the TV talent show "Opportunity Knocks" by the model Twiggy who, in turn, mentioned her to Paul McCartney.

She had a wonderfully pure voice, suited to gentle folk and ballads, though she could belt out a pop tune, too.

Paul produced Hopkin's first single, the worldwide smash "Those Were the Days" and her debut LP on Apple, Postcard, featuring songs by Donovan, Harry Nilsson and Beatles producer George Martin.

Her follow-up single, "Goodbye," was penned by McCartney song and hit number 2 in the U.K. -- blocked from the top spot by the Beatles' "Get Back." Never officially  released by McCartney or the Beatles, you can hear Macca's demo of "Goodbye" here.

Hopkins' Apple follow-up, Earth Song, Ocean Song, was produced by Tony Visconti, who she later married. She then withdrew from the music scene to raise her family, recording only sporadically since. You can catch up Hopkin via her website here.

Her Apple LPs are highly recommended.