In 1989, Canadian singer-songwriter Alannah Myles (née Byles) scored a worldwide hit with the sumptuous, slow-burning classic rock of "Black Velvet." Written by Canadian songwriters Christopher Ward and David Tyson, the track was an ode to Elvis Presley and one of four Top 40 hits from Myles's 1989 eponymous debut album for Atlantic Records. "Black Velvet" reached Number 1 in the US, Norway and Sweden and became a Top 10 hit in various other countries, including the UK and Myles's native Canada. The daughter of Canadian broadcasting pioneer William Douglas Byles, Myles was born on December 25, 1958 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She was immersed in music from an early age, writing and performing music throughout her childhood, and after setting her sights on a career in entertainment, Myles joined forces with Canadian songwriter Christopher Ward in her mid-20s. She released Alannah Myles in 1989. In 1991, "Black Velvet" won Myles the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Performance and three Juno Awards. She scooped another Grammy win in 1992 for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for "Rockinghorse," which was featured on her second album of the same name. Myles released another four albums, including 2014's 85 BPM, and the Elvis Tribute EP in 2007.
