Celebrate Hazel O'Connor: Music Legend's Epic Exhibition Hits Coventry!

Hazel O'Connor is a well-known singer, songwriter, and actress who was born in Coventry. Her career has lasted more than fifty years, and she has released over twenty albums. Hazel became famous in the 1980s with hit songs like Eighth Day and Will You. To honor her achievements, the Coventry Music Museum is hosting an exhibition called Being Hazel, which will be open until the end of the year. The exhibition features rare memorabilia from Hazel's long career and includes live musical performances for visitors to enjoy.

In recent years, Hazel O'Connor has faced health challenges that forced her to step away from the spotlight. Her team and friends have been supporting her as she recovers. In 2025, a fundraising page was created to help cover the costs of her care. The money raised is being used to make changes to her home and to pay for a team of carers. Hazel, who is now 70 years old, was honored with her own star on Coventry's Walk of Fame in 2010. She also performed during the city's City of Culture festival, showing her continued connection to her hometown.

Hazel first gained widespread attention for her role in the 1980 film Breaking Glass, where she played a young singer-songwriter. Her work has inspired many other artists, including Pink, Lady Gaga, and Kylie Minogue, who have all said that Hazel influenced their careers. At the Being Hazel exhibition, visitors can watch Breaking Glass on a big screen and listen to live performances by saxophonist Clare Hirst and pianist Sarah Fisher, both of whom toured with Hazel. Clare Hirst, who met Hazel in the early 1980s, described her as a very determined person and a great friend. She said that putting together the exhibition was a wonderful experience and that Hazel's songwriting talent deserves to be celebrated. Clare hopes that more people will discover Hazel's music through this special event.