|
|
|
|
Historical
background on the Eurovision:
"Eurovision" is actually the name of the European-wide
TV distribution network run by the European Broadcast Union
(EBU). This union was established in the 1950's and continues
to supply news and sports material across the European continent
and beyond, even today.
The Eurovision Song Contest grew out of the Italian "San
Remo Song Festival" and was first staged in Switzerland
in 1956 with the participation of 7 countries. The Frenchman
Marcel Baison saw the event as a way of uniting the nations
of post-war Europe.
The point of all this?
The Eurovision's Song Contest stated mission is: "to stimulate
the output of original high-quality songs in the field of popular
music by encouraging competition between authors and composers
through the international comparison of their work". The
competition is restricted to members of the European Broadcast
Union. This explains the participation in the contest of countries
not normally found on a map of Europe, such as Israel and other
countries like it.
Bad luck, good luck
The contest's running order is decided by a drawing of lots.
Statistically, the best position to appear in is the last or
the third-before-last. Six have sung to victory from each of
these slots.
The precedents that set the rules and vice versa
In 1976 the Song Contest's rules were changed to oblige countries
to sing in their native languages. This decision was taken following
"Abba" 's rise to victory with the song "Waterloo",
whose English lyrics stirred up quite a commotion back in Sweden.
This explains why only the United Kingdom, Ireland and Malta
are allowed to perform in English. This also means that Belgium
is allowed to perform in the three different languages and Switzerland
in four, which are spoken in them. Despite all this, artists
are allowed to sing in a foreign language in their national
pre-selection contests. Short quotations from another language
are allowed so long as they are no be longer than one phrase
or repeated more than 3 times. Likewise, a song that lasts for
more than 3 minutes runs the risk of disqualification.
This year unlike previous year there is no restriction on the
langage used in the songs.
There is no restriction on the nationality of contestants: for
example, in 1963, Greek singer, Nana Mouskouri, represented
Luxembourg, despite the fact that she was not a citizen of that
country. In 1986, it was decided to limit the minimal age of
Eurovision contestants to 16, as a direct result of 13 year-old
Belgian singer Sandra Kim's victory. Last but not least, the
number of artists (backup singers, dancers, authors and composers
included) that each country may put on stage is also subject
to limitations and has been restricted to 6 performers alone.
Celebrities that have participated in the Eurovision:
In 1958 the Italian singer Dominico Modugno won third place
with the song "Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu". Re-recorded
in English as "Volare", it becomes the first Eurovision
song to make the British Charts.
In 1963, the Greek singer, Nana Mouskouri, who is today a member
of the European Parliament, represented Luxembourg; the famous
author and singer Fran?oise Hardy represented Monaco.
In 1964, Matt Monro, who later had a big hit song with "Walk
Away", took second place with "I Love The Little Things".
In 1965 France Gall wins on Luxembourg's behalf with a song
written by the controversial French author and singer, Serge
Gainsbourg.
In 1967, Vicky Leandros, competes in the Eurovision, singing
the future classic "L'amour est Bleu".
In 1968, Cliff Richard, partook in the Eurovision for the first
time, loses and returns to make another unsuccessful attempt
in 1973.
In 1970 the yet unknown Spaniard, Julio Iglesias, competes in
the Eurovision and wins fourth place.
Celine Dion's turn came in 1988 when she won the contest for
Switzerland.
In 1974 maybe as a result of the French delegation's withdrawal
to mark the death of President Georges Pompidou, "Abba"
won the Eurovision for Sweden.
In 1978 the Israeli singer Yizhar Cohen takes the Eurovision
by storm and wins with the song "A-ba ni-bi".
In 1979 the Israelis keep their first place thanks to Gali Atari
& the "Milk and Honey". This Eurovision also launches
the career of "Black Lace" with the song "Mary
Ann". These fare better in the Euro arena with later hits
such as "El Vino Collapso" and "I Speaka Da Lingo".
In 1981 "Buck Fizz" win the Eurovision with "Making
Your Mind Up", which was at the tops of the charts for
3 whole weeks.
In 1982 Nicole's winning song "A Little Peace" gets
translated into 6 languages and tops charts all over Europe.
In 1983 the Israeli singer Ofra Haza takes second place in the
Eurovision Song Contest.
In 1986 the young Sandra Kim touches our hearts and storms to
victory for Belgium.
In 1987 Irish singer Johnny Logan wins the Eurovision and thus
becomes the first artiste to win the contest twice. That same
year Plastic Bertrand, the bad boy of French song, also partakes
in the contest whilst famous singer Viktor Lazio gets to co-present
the Eurovision.
In 1994 the interval act is an as-yet unknown "Riverdance".
Morten Arket of "A-Ha" co-presents the 1996 Eurovision
in Oslo whilst Ronan Keating from "Boyzone" co-presents
the 1997 Eurovision in Dublin. |
|
|
|
