Tina Charles

Tina Charles, born Tina Hoskins on March 10, 1954, in Whitechapel, London, embarked on her musical journey as a backing singer and session musician. Her early career saw her record her first solo single in 1969, featuring a then-unknown Elton John on piano. During the early 1970s, she lent her vocals to the “Top of the Pops” album series, covering contemporary hits. In 1971, Charles also appeared on the BBC1 sketch show “The Two Ronnies,” performing songs like “River Deep – Mountain High” and “Ruby Tuesday.” Her talent also extended to backing vocals for Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel’s 1975 chart-topping song, “Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)” and providing lead vocals for 5000 Volts’ 1975 disco hit single “I’m on Fire,” which reached number 4 in the UK Singles Chart.

Charles achieved widespread recognition in 1975 when Indian-British composer/producer Biddu, fresh from the success of “Kung Fu Fighting,” produced her singles “You Set My Heart on Fire” and “I Love to Love (But My Baby Loves to Dance).” The latter became a global sensation, spending three weeks at number one on the UK chart in March 1976 and earning a Juno Award in 1977. This collaboration with Biddu also yielded another hit, “Dance Little Lady Dance.” In 1978, Charles was a joint winner at the World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo, performing “Love Rocks.” Throughout the late 1970s, she continued to produce more hits, including “Love Me Like a Lover,” “Dr Love,” “Rendezvous,” and “Love Bug,” solidifying her status as a pop star in Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

After a period focusing on family in the 1980s, Charles experienced a resurgence with a remix of “I Love to Love.” Since 2000, she has remained an active and popular live performer across Europe, where her disco hits are still highly regarded. In 2006, she made it to the Top 5 of the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart with “Higher,” produced by Sanny X. In October 2007, she recorded “Hide and Seek” with producer Ian Levine for the album “Disco 2008.” Her album “Listen 2 the Music” was released in March 2008. In 2010, she signed with Carl M Cox’s PMG Music, releasing the single “Your Love Is My Light” in 2011, and also toured with 5000 Volts, the group with whom she had her first hit record.