1974 - Barbara gets her big break when she is offered the part of singer and pianist in friend Willy Russell's play "John Paul George Ringo... and Bert" - it opens at the Liverpool Everyman Theatre in May.
The show is a smash hit and transfers to the Lyric Theatre in London in August.
Barbara's first ever single, "Here Comes The Sun" is released from the play's soundtrack album
1975 - Barbara continues her run in "John Paul George Ringo...and Bert" which runs for a year in London's West End.
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice see the show and invite Barbara to sing on the studio recording of their new musical "Evita".
Robert Stigwood, boss of RSO Records also sees the show and immediately offers Barbara a recording deal.
1976 - Barbara's third single "Answer Me" provides her first hit, reaching # 9 on the UK chart.
The debut album for RSO Records, "Answer Me" is released in April.
Barbara appears as the musical guest in 8 episodes of the BBC's "The Two Ronnies" and is seen weekly by 20 million viewers.
She also records one track for the studio cast album of "Evita".
In December Barbara supports David Essex for a week at the London Palladium.
1977 - Barbara flies to Nashville to record her second RSO album, "Morning Comes Quickly".
She flies home to Britain to promote her second hit "Another Suitcase In Another Hall" from "Evita" which reaches UK # 18.
During May and June Barbara plays her first major UK tour of 17 dates.
Barbara scores her first hit album when "Morning Comes Quickly" charts in June.
November sees Barbara in the USA again - she films "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" in Los Angeles.
1978 - Barbara signs a new record deal with CBS Records.
In June Barbara takes part in the Tokyo Music Festival and wins Bronze Prize.
Back to L.A. Barbara records "Sweet Oasis", her debut album for CBS.
"Sweet Oasis" is released in October - Barbara promotes it with a 24 date 2 month tour.
1979 - In February Barbara flies to Australia for live dates.
She then begins work on a new studio album with producer Alan Tarney.
Barbara is also invited to record the title track for the movie "Caravans" produced by Mike Batt.
