Held & Hilda has participated several times as a duo in the Danish national finals, the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, through the 80's, but Keld Heick only made it to the Eurovision Song Contest as a songwriter, that he however also managed a total of 9 times. First time was in 1979 where he wrote the lyrics to Tommy Seebach's Disco Tango and last time was in 1993, which coincidently also was a Tommy Seebach entry; Under Stjernerne På Himlen. Keld also wrote the Danish entry in 1996 Kun Med Dig, which didn't pass the prior qualification round EBU's rules required that year. In 1989 he was on stage himself at the Eurovision Song Contest as backing singer for Birthe Kjær on the song Vi Maler Byen Rød, which he also wrote the lyrics to.
As a duo him and his wife have been touring around the country every year mainly performing at festivals, small local arrangements and TV shows dedicated to the type of music called Dansktop, which is a special niche the recordcompanies and radios do not want much to do with, which is why the duo has decided to finance the album themselves. To Danish newspaper BT, they say: "Our old songs from the first few LP's are not released on CD, but our fans really wanted that. Therefore we have put together some of our best songs for this CD. We know that we won't earn back the money." (170.000 Danish kroner, ED.) "The CD won't be for sale in the supermarkets f.ex as they don't take CD's home unless a TV spot is made as well."
Hilda continues about the problem they have reaching their fans: "The thing about downloading, there is unfortunately not so many of our fans who do. Our music has been placed on the DAB radio, which is not real radio, the number of listerners is less and so is the the roaylty money. It is a shame that the regular radio stations don't want to play our music. We belong to a different category, but then we need to give something to our fans this way."
Keld Heick started his career as a teengaer, but it wasn't until 1976 his wife joined him on stage. Their first hit together came with Do You Speak English. The past few years the duo have been used to performing around 300 times a year and they add that they from time to time still will be accepting jobs, but not as much as before. And that it is the definitive last album from them, that was released yesterday. The album it quite appropriate titled Dengang Og Nu (Back then and now).
The reason for stopping is based on the wish to have more time to their family and to enjoy the life as a pensioner. To DR they say: "Now it is time to start to think, time for nice gatherings and holidays, more time for children, grandchildren and friends." And Hilda adds: "I dream about that we get more time to each other, walking through Copenhagen, go to historical lectures, and sign up for curses. I want Keld out in the real life."
Keld and Hilda Heick has one daugther, Annette Heick who is also a singer, and twice participated in the Danish final.
The album Dengang Og Nu kan be bought by clicking the link below to your local CDON store.
