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EUROVISION IN THE 50S |
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FIND OUT ABOUT OTHER DECADES OF EUROVISION
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1956
First Eurovision takes place on a Thursday night in Lugano, Switzerland. Seven countries participate, with two songs/performers per country. Lys Assia from Switzerland wins with 'Refrain', beating Belgium's marginally less cheerful 'The Drowned Men Of The River Seine'.
1957
And here comes the UK for the first time - plucky Patricia Bredin treks to Frankfurt-Am-Maine to sing 'All', which lasts less than two minutes. She finishes seventh out of ten, overwhelmed by the 4' 30" of the winning Dutch song by Corry Brokken.
1958
The UK doesn't compete. Third placed out of ten is Italian singer Domenico Modugno, with 'Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu'. Re-recorded in English as 'Volare', this becomes the first Eurovision-related song to make the British charts. Winner was Andre Claveau of France, with 'Sleep, My Love'.
1959
The UK is back back back, with the classic teaming of Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson performing 'Sing Little Birdie'. They come a close second to the Netherlands' 'Een Beetje', beating France's 'Oui Oui Oui Oui' into third by a single point. Clearly, the Eurovision lyric is already establishing itself.
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James Fox talks heartbreak and how it influenced his songwriting.