Sunday, 12 December 2010

World Popular Song Festival - Tina Charles


Tina Charles (born Tina Hoskins, 10 March 1954, Whitechapel, London) is an English singer, who achieved success as a disco artist in the mid to late 1970s. She is best known for her 1976 no. 1 hit I Love to Love . Her chosen stage name of Charles was a tribute to her father, Charles Hoskins.

Tina began her career as a backing singer and session musician and recorded her first solo single in 1969 with Elton John as a backing singer. During the early 70's she supplied vocals for Top Of The Pops album series. In 1971 she made appearances in the very popular serie The Two Ronnies, a BBC sketch show.

Tina's big break came in 1975 when record producer Biddu, who had a world wide hit with the song Kung Fu Fighting, produced the single I Love To Love which became a major hit around the world. Biddu's collaboration continued on an album and another huge hit for Tina: Dance Little Lady Dance.

In 1978 Tina Charles represented the United Kingdom in Japan at the World Popular Song Festival with the by Biddu produced song Love Rocks. Tina came first and won the Grand Prix International. Love Rocks was only released in Japan where it reached no. 1 in the charts.

By 1980 Tina's career was in decline and disco music was losing some of its public appeal. Tina attempted to change her disco style for her 1980 album Just One Smile for a more rock style but the album was ignored and unsuccessful. Tina stopped singing and became a house wife and a mum. In the late 80's Tina had a hit with a remix of I Love To Love.

Since 2000 Tina has performed throughout Europe where disco music and her hits have been reappraised and she has become a popular live performer.



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