Listen back to Heather Small on Greatest Hits Heroes
The special show aired on Monday 2nd May
Last updated 3rd May 2022
Soul singer Heather Small joined us on Greatest Hits Radio for a one-off special show on Monday 2nd May. To celebrate Bank Holiday Monday, we played the ultimate 70s, 80s, and 90s soundtrack, chosen by the music icon herself.
During the special three-hour show, Heather played songs that have impacted her life and career, while celebrating some of her musical heroes. As well as playing her handpicked selection of tracks, she shared stories and anecdotes from her decades of experience as one of the world's most celebrated female artists.
Heather Small rose to fame as the lead vocalist for 90s group M People, and after the group took a break in 1998 she went on to have an amazing solo career. Some of the biggest hits from her time in the band and as a solo artist include 'Moving on Up', 'Search for the Hero', 'Holding On', and 'One Night In Heaven'.
She released solo albums 'Proud' in 2000, and 'Close to a Miracle' in 2006, and continued to tour, playing M People hits as well as her own material.
The 'Holding On' singer recently completed her 2022 UK tour, which took place throughout March and April, and has several gigs lined up for the summer including performances at Rewind Festival in July and August.
Buy tickets to see Heather Small at Rewind Festival
Is Heather Small bringing out new music?
Heather Small recently announced her upcoming album 'Colour My Life', which is due to come out on 29th July. Working with award-winning producer Rupert Christie and the London Metropolitan Orchestra, she has created orchestral remakes of her biggest songs.
As well as these reimagined hits, the album will also include a cover of Paul Weller's 'You Do Something To Me', track 'Don't Look Any Further' which she sings with Alfie Boe, as well as 'Love Me or Not', her brand new single which was released along with the exciting album announcement.
Fans were thrilled by the release of new music, and the upbeat single shows off Heather's amazing vocals. Listen to the new track below.
Listen to 'Love Me or Not' by Heather Small:
How can I listen to Greatest Hits Heroes - With Heather Small?
This special show aired on Greatest Hits Radio on 2nd May, but you can listen back to the programme for more one week.
Watch Heather Small talk about being inspired by Tracy Chapman:
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Check out these inspirational female artists:
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston was certified as the most-awarded female artist of ALL TIME. She was an incredible talent and had hits including 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' and 'I Will Always Love You'.
She has sold over 200 million records worldwide and has left a lasting influence on other singers in the modern music industry. A biopic celebrating her incredible life, called I Wanna Dance With Somebody, was released in December 2022.
Tina Turner
A.K.A. the 'Queen of Rock n Roll', Tina Turner wowed audiences for over half a century - receiving 12 Grammy Awards and selling over 100 million records.
As a testament to how much of star she was, Tina was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. Although she retired from music in 2009, tributes to the superstar continued, with a musical about her created in 2018, and a documentary about her life released in 2021. Sadly, in May 2023, Tina Tuner passed away at the age of 83. Her publicist confirmed that she passed "peacefully", following a long illness.
Madonna
Madonna debuted as a solo artist in the early 1980s and hasn't stopped since. She is known as the Queen of Pop and rose to fame with the release of her self-titled album in 1983, with her song 'Holiday' gaining international recognition in the charts.
Since then, she has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has won 14 ASCAP Awards, two BRIT Awards, two Golden Globes, and seven Grammys - to name just a few of her achievements.
She is currently working on a "visual autobiography" film about her life and career which she has co-written and will direct.
ABBA's Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad
Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad were half of ABBA, one of the biggest pop acts ever and one of the best-selling groups of all time. They released hits including 'Mamma Mia', 'Dancing Queen' and 'Waterloo'.
The group made a spectacular return to music in 2021 with the release of their final album 'Voyage', and their world-renowned concert experience - titled ABBA Voyage - which features digital recreations, or avatars, of theirselves which have certainly wowed fans.
Blondie's Debbie Harry
The iconic Debbie Harry was one of the co-founders of rock band Blondie. The band made a name for themselves as pioneers of the American new wave scene in the 70s and 80s, with her unique voice leading hit songs like 'Call Me', 'Heart of Glass', 'One Way Or Another' and 'Maria'.
Debbie Harry is a legendary musician, known not only for her talented vocals, but also her style. Blondie still create new music, with Blondie taking to the stage at Glastonbury 2023.
Cher
Although she initially gained popularity as one half of Sonny and Cher alongside her then-husband in the 1960s, Cher has gone on to enjoy an incredible solo career, as well as being an actress, producer, author and philanthropist.
Cher is also the only artist to have achieved a Number 1 single on a Billboard chart for six decades - talk about inspirational!
Patti Smith
Central to the New York post-punk movement in the 1970s, Patti Smith fused punk and poetry in her work. She is a singer, songwriter, poet, musician and author.
In December 2021, she was awarded with the key to New York City for her authenticity and her "ability to cut through all the swirl around us and speak some more profound truths" throughout the 70s and 80s.
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin was a singer, songwriter, actress and civil rights activist. She received a number of the highest awards in music throughout her long career, but perhaps the most prestigious award was when she was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bush in 2005.
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is known as the Queen of Country, and as well as bringing out incredible hits like '9 To 5', 'It's All Wrong, But It's All Right' and 'Jolene', she's also known for her philanthropy.
Through The Dollywood Foundation she has helped to provide free books for children, scholarship programs and has worked with non-profits to improve the lives those in need.
In 2022, Dolly released her first novel called Run, Rose, Run along with an accompanying album by the same name. She then teased the release of her rock album, after it was revealed she had been chosen to be inducted into the 2022 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her rock album, 'Rockstar', was then released on 17th November 2023.
Alanis Morissette
Alanis first enjoyed mainstream success with her 1995 album 'Jagged Little Pill'. She won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year at the 1996 ceremony.
A Broadway musical by the same name was created in 2018, inspired by the album and using Alanis' music.
Shania Twain
Shania has sold over 100 million records across the globe and she is one of the most successful country artists of all time. That DOES impress us much.
In 2022, she released a documentary about her life and career called Not Just A Girl, and in February 2023 released her sixth studio album 'Queen of Me'. Then, in September 2023, she toured across the UK with shows in London, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.
Diana Ross
Born and raised in Detroit, Diana Ross first found stardom with Motown girl group The Supremes. They became one of the best-selling groups of all time with songs like 'Come See About Me' and 'Where Did Our Love Go'.
Diana showed the world she's still got it with the release of her 25th studio album 'Thank You' in November 2021. In her return to music she also played the Legends Slot at Glastonbury Festival 2022.
Mariah Carey
Amongst other achievements, Mariah Carey is the undisputed 'Queen of Christmas' with her hit 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' making its way into the charts every year.
She is also known for her distinctive voice and impressive five octave vocal range, which she has been training since she started singing lessons at the age of four.
Chrissie Hynde
Singer-songwriter Chrissie Hynde is the founder of US rock group The Pretenders. The band has continued to make amazing music, and released their most recent album 'Relentless' in September 2023 - serving as their 12th studio album.
Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper is responsible for one of the biggest female anthems of all time. 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' was released in 1983 and in 2021 the music video reached over 1 billion views on YouTube!
Speaking about making the music video, Cyndi said: "It was really important to me to make sure we included women from every walk of life. I wanted every little girl watching the video to have the joyful experience of seeing herself on that screen. I wanted us to be a community."
Kim Wilde
80s sensation Kim Wilde has given us numerous hits over the years and won the BRIT Award for Best British Female Solo Artist in 1983.
As well as her debut track 'Kids In America' which came out in 1981, she went on to record over 60 singles and 14 studio albums. She is still performing and regualrly plays at festivals across the UK.
Donna Summer
Disco Queen Donna Summer made her mark in the 70s and her hit 'I Feel Love' remains a dance floor essential to this day. The song is thought to have influenced artists like David Bowie, Brian Eno and Blondie.
Bananarama
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Stevie Nicks
There couldn't be a list of influential female musicians without Stevie Nicks. The singer and songwriter joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975 along with her then-boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham. Fleetwood Mac's album 'Rumours' is one of the best-selling of all time and Stevie has also enjoyed an incredible solo career!
In 2023, Stevie had her very own Barbie made by Mattel, wearing Stevie's iconic 'Rumours' outfit. The singer said: "When I look at her I see my 27-year-old self. I am her and she is me."
Stevie is now set to take to the stage at BST Hyde Park in July 2024.
Christine McVie
Also an integral part of Fleetwood Mac was Christine McVie, who joined the group in 1968 as a singer and keyboardist. She was also a talented songwriter, contributing to the band's albums as well as releasing three of her own solo albums.
Christine sadly passed away in November 2022 following a short illness, with tributes pouring in for the talented musician.
Kate Bush
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Chaka Khan
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Annie Lennox
From her time in Eurythmics as well as her solo career, Annie Lennox has had a lot of hits and a total of 14 studio albums! The group was chosen to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
As well as being a talented singer and songwriter, Annie Lennox is a human rights activist and feminist who launched a global campaign called Circles of Change to raise funds for vulnerable women and girls across the world.
Heather Small
As the lead singer for M People, Heather Small collaborated on hit songs 'Moving on Up', 'Search for the Hero', and 'One Night In Heaven', before embarking on a solo career.
The soul singer has released several solo albums including hit songs like 'Holding On' and 'Proud'.
Bonnie Tyler
Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler released her debut album 'The World Starts Tonight' in 1977 and has given us numerous anthems including chart-topping 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' and 'Holding Out For A Hero'.
In 2013, she represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest where she sang 'Believe in Me' and came in 19th place. The singer also appeared as herself on Hollyoaks in 2009.
Belinda Carlisle
Go-Gos singer Belinda Carlisle joined the band when it formed in 1978 and pursued her solo career after they split in 1985. The group got back together in 1999, and Belinda continues to perform with them as well as working on her solo music.
As part of the group Belinda was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011.
Her solo music includes incredible hits like 'Heaven Is A Place On Earth', 'Circle in the Sand', 'Mad About You', and 'I Get Weak'.
Candi Staton
Starting her music career in the late 60s, Candi Staton has explored many genres throughout her decade-spanning career, including R&B, disco, soul and gospel. She gave us incredible tracks like 'You Got the Love', 'Young Hearts Run Free' and 'Stand By Your Man'.
Justine Frischmann
Justine Frischmann co-founded band Suede alongside her then boyfriend Brett Andersen in the late 80s. After their relationship hit the rocks, she formed band Elastica in 1992. They became one of the standout bands of the Britpop era.
Dolores O'Riordan
Dolores O'Riordan was a musician, singer, songwriter and lead vocalist of the popular 90s band The Cranberries. They were known for their huge hits 'Linger' and 'Zombie' - both still incredibly popular tracks to this day.
Mica Paris
Soul singer Mica Paris is known for her songs 'My One Temptation', 'Where Is The Love' and 'I Never Felt Like This Before'. She has also tried her hand at acting, appearing in several roles including as Ellie Nixon in EastEnders in 2020, and as Amelia Walker in Agatha Christie's Marple in 2007.
Mica told Jackie Brambles about how Prince helped get her career started when he invited her to an after-show concert: "At the gig I took the mic and sang 'Just My Imagination' and the next day we were in all the papers and then 'My One Temptation' came out and I really think that Prince played a massive part in that song being such a big hit."
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