BBW
RECORDS
BBW Records
was a DIY label. It managed two singles. It issued singles in
BBWS-0 numerical series. Distributed By BBW Records. Iris Williams OBE (born 20
April 1944 or 1946) is a Welsh singer. Williams reached the peak of her
popularity during the 1980s. Williams was born in Tonyrefail. South Wales.
Brought up in a children's home, and later adopted by the Llewellyns. she won a
scholarship to the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. In 1979, she had
her biggest UK hit, "He Was Beautiful", a song based on the already well-known
theme from The Deer Hunter with lyrics by Cleo Laine. In Wales, however, she had
already had major success, particularly with "Pererin Wyf" (1971) a
Welsh-language version of "Amazing Grace". As a result of hitting the national
charts, she was given her own BBC series. She also won the Welsh talent contest,
Cân i Gymru (A Song for Wales) in 1974 with the song 'I gael Cymru'n Gymru Rydd'
(For a Free Wales). In the early 1980s Williams took ownership of a public house
near Ascot in Berkshire named 'The Pheasant Plucker', so named by her
“extrovert” second husband – combining running it with appearances on the club
circuit, before relocating to New York in the early 1990s. In 1991, she
performed in cabaret at the prestigious Oak Room in the Algonquin Hotel in New
York City. Other engagements in the United States included five concerts with
Bob Hope and an appearance with Rosemary Clooney. Iris also gave several charity
performances for President Gerald Ford. She has performed several times at the
Royal Variety Performance, and was one of the stars of the gala concert to
celebrate the opening of the National Assembly of Wales in 1999). She married
Clive Pyatt in 1982 and their son Blake was born in 1984. She was awarded the
OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the New Year Honours List of
2004. In 2006, she performed at the Brecon Jazz Festival, and was later admitted
to the Gorsedd of Bards at the National Eisteddfod of Wales. Williams now lives
permanently in Rancho Mirage, California.
88
Iris
Williams
One Day I'll Fly
Away
BBW
BBWS
1
88
Iris
Williams
Hi
There!
BBW
BBWS
2