Who was Iris Williams? All about Welsh singer as she dies at 79

Born in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, in 1946, renowned Welsh singer Iris Williams has died at the age of 79.

In a social media post, The St David's Society of the State of New York said Williams "joined the heavenly chorus where her joyful singing will surely bring those joys beyond measure which we have been honoured to share."

Who was Iris Williams?

The singer lived quite an accomplished life, being granted the honor of performing for Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and for US President Gerald Ford on a number of occasions. Iris was awarded a scholarship to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

In the 60s, she appeared on the Welsh BBC pop music programme Disc A Dawn and then went on to feature in her own BBC TV show, while one of her biggest hits included the Welsh-language version of "Amazing Grace," "Pererin Wyf," and "He Was Beautiful." In 1974, Iris Williams added another achievement to her belt when she won Cân i Gymru, the Welsh-language talent competition, with the song "I gael Cymru'n Gymru Rydd" (For a Free Wales).

The singer was bestowed with an OBE for her contribution to music, and later on was admitted to the Gorsedd of Bards at the National Eisteddfod in 2006.

Williams was raised in a children's home with a foster family in Tonyrefail and went on to work in a glove factory in Llantrisant before getting the scholarship. Her father was an American GI, according to her brother Ashley. He also spoke of her with love, talking about her life, he expressed,

"I never met her until we were adults and it was wonderful to meet up with her. In my opinion she was one of Wales most underrated singers. She had a tremendous career, it was very hard for her growing up."

He further added,

"When she came back to Wales she used to come to the house a lot. I always used to say 'where do you want to go?' and she'd always say Tonyrefail. She loved the valleys, she had so much support from people in the valleys."

Ashley also added that during her later years, she had the privilege of working in some of the most prestigious cabaret venues in America and singing Welsh songs.

Opera singer Beverley Humphreys paid tribute to Iris Williams, as well.

"Iris had her own unique jazz style - vivacious and elegant - with a twinkle in her eye, she had a way of inhabiting each song she sang. Iris was a story teller whose voice could set your feet tapping or touch your heart."

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