Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice invite her to sing on the studio recording of their new musical, "Evita". In November sheappears in 'Memories - A Tribute to Women inthe War' alongside Geraldine James and June Whitfield. Another privately-issued album, "Folk Song '67" is released via Scottish folk clubs and includes Barbara's live recording of 'The Dreadnought'. Whilst Barbara remains modest about her many achievements, with seventeen Platinum and Gold albums to her name she remains Scotland’s biggest-selling female singer of all time. Don’t miss this very special concert and hear hits such as ANOTHER SUITCASE IN ANOTHER HALL, CARAVANS, JANUARY FEBRUARY, MACCRIMMON’S LAMENT, EASY TERMS plus lots more!

In July, Barbara is invested with a Doctorate of Music (honoris causa) at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She signs a new deal with CBS Records and records "Sweet Oasis", her debut album for the label in Los Angeles. Also in November Barbara guests on several episodes of the long-running quiz show 'Countdown' for Channel 4.In 1985 Barbara’s single ‘I Know Him So Well,’ recorded with Elaine Paige and taken from the musical ‘Chess’, was released. It reached Number One in the UK and went on to become a Top Ten hit around the world, eventually selling over 900,000 copies. A 19 date UK concert tour begins on 8 June, followed by a'Highlands and Islands' mini-tour of Scotland in September. On August 12th, Barbara is among the artists appearing at the 'Music of Sandy Bells' concert at Edinburgh's Queens Hall. Barbara moves to Woodmill Junior High School. Her music teacher is Sandy Saddler, who becomes a great influence. The watershed moment came in 1968 when, after being refused leave from her job for an overseas singing engagement, Barbara resigned, determined to pursue a career for herself in the burgeoning folk scene of the late ‘60’s.

Her first hit single, ‘Answer Me’, was released early in 1976 and a guest residency on the BBC’s hugely successful ‘The Two Ronnies’ show later that year brought Barbara into the homes of more than 15 million viewers on Saturday evenings. Mary Roos recorded a German version of the single entitled "Wenn Ich Dich Nicht Halten Kann" ("If I Cannot Hold You"). She flies home to Britain to promote her second hit, "Another Suitcase In Another Hall," from "Evita," which reaches UK # 18.

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The song signalled a new direction in her career, moving into the mainstream pop genre. [ citation needed] It was written and produced by Alan Tarney who had recently resurrected Cliff Richard's career with his 1979 no.1 hit " We Don't Talk Anymore". Guitar on the song was played by Issac Guillory who also appeared on the music video and helped promote the song on TV. She continues touring the folk scene, playing at the Stainsby Brighouse, Hexham, Cleethorpes and Bromyard Folk Festivals. Barbara was bestowed with a lifetime achievement ‘Tartan Clef’ award by Nordoff-Robbins Scotland in 2012 and in 2016 was honoured to receive the Variety Club of Scotland Outstanding Scottish Achievement award. A return to the theatre in Willy Russell’s new musical, ‘Blood Brothers,’ in 1983 was to mark Barbara’s debut as a stage actress. As with ‘John Paul George Ringo… and Bert’ nine years previously, the show transferred from Liverpool to London and in the process earned her the ‘Best Actress in a Musical’ award from the Society of West End Theatres. Barbara and partner, 'Spend Spend Spend' writer Steve Brown, win TV quiz show 'Pointless Celebrities'' music special on November 14th.

She records a new six-part comedy series "Dinnerladies" for BBCRadio 4 -it is transmitted during October and November. An appearance at the Big Stone Celtic festival in Virginia in 2014 led to an invitation to return to play again for American audiences two year later. On July 13th, Barbara performs live at the Stonehaven Folk Festival, her first folk festival appearance since 1973. Born in Dunfermline, Scotland, Barbara’s love of music was evident from an early age – she began studying piano at the age of five and by twelve had also taken up the guitar. She developed an interest in folk music whilst at school which led to floor spots singing at her local folk club. After relocating to Edinburgh, she went on to combine a day job in the Civil Service whilst steadily pursuing her first love, music, in local pubs and clubs. Barbara tours the UK in the play "Friends Like This" inFebruary/March with Roy Hudd and Susan Penhaligon.Barbara is honoured with the 'Outstanding Scottish Achievement' award at the 2016 Scottish Variety Awards on March 19th. In January Barbara stars in the premiere of Willy Russell's new musical, "Blood Brothers" at the Liverpool Playhouse. On April 8th, she releases a new EP, 'Reunited', with Rab Noakes.April also sees the first of 18 UK live dates with Rab.

She gets her big break when she is offered the part of the singer and pianist in 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 Christmas special, 'Joy To the World', is broadcast by BBC RadioScotland on Christmas Day. Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com . Retrieved 24 February 2022. The album was released following her return to the top 20 with the single " January February". Produced by Alan Tarney, the album was a success, reaching No.7 in the UK Charts and remaining in the top 75 for three months. [2] It was certified gold by the BPI for sales of over 100,000 in the UK. [3] Further singles taken from the album were "In the Night" and "It's Really You".Barbara continues her run in "John Paul George Ringo...and Bert" which runs for a year in London's West End. During September and October she plays several dates as the special guest of Peter Karrie and in also in October plays 7 UK solo concerts. Also in September, Barbara moves to Edinburgh, returning to live in Scotland for the first time since 1973.