Mary Hopkin

Bio

Mary Hopkin is a Welsh singer-songwriter who rose to fame in 1968 after winning the ITV talent show Opportunity Knocks. Signed to Apple Records by Paul McCartney, she scored an international hit with her debut single "Those Were the Days," which topped the UK Singles Chart and reached the top of charts in several other countries. Her debut album Post Card, also produced by McCartney, showcased her clear soprano voice across a mix of folk and baroque pop material. Over the following years Hopkin released two further Apple albums, Earth Song/Ocean Song (1971) and the self-titled album recorded in Wales (1972). Although she largely stepped away from the spotlight after the mid-1970s to focus on family life, she has continued to record and perform selectively, exploring folk, Celtic and acoustic styles while maintaining a dedicated following.