Alannah Myles

Alannah Myles rose to pop immortality in 1990 with the smoldering “Black Velvet,” which topped the U.S.

charts thanks to its sinewy blues-rock riffs and her yearning, urgent vocals.

The success was a long time coming for the Toronto-born musician, who started her career in the ’80s fronting a cover band and dabbling in acting before landing a record deal.