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Bryan Johnson

1960

1960 Logo (copyright - EBU)
Basic information
Date: 
23 March 1960
Venue: 
The Royal Festival Hall, London, UK
Broadcaster: 
BBC
Presenter(s): 
Katie Boyle
About the contest: 

The BBC hosted the contest for the first time. Katie Boyle would go on to host three more contests, more than any other presenter. The hosts were represented by the brother of Teddy Johnson, who had represented his country the year before. There were more countries than ever before with Luxembourg returning and Norway making its debut.

The same voting system as the previous three contests was used, with each country having ten jurors giving 1 point to their favourite song.

The voting system in the ESC has always been a topic for discussion. Even before televoting was introduced, the idea of the idea of neighbourly voting and so-called mafias had been discussed. The most recent example is the Balkan mafia, who seems to have replaced the Scandinavian mafia to some extent.

When Norway joined the Contest in 1960, they only gave two points to Denmark and none to Sweden - although over the years, the four countries which have received most points from Norway are Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Russia - all Norway's four neighbours! It has to be mentioned though, that only Sweden to some extent pay those points back to Norway - which actually receive most of its points from Belgium and Ireland. Who talks about a Scandinavian mafia?

France won in 1960 with the song "Tom Pillipi", only two years after their first victory and once again the United Kingdom came second.

Trivia: 
The winner, Jacqueline Boyer, was the daughter of Jacques Pills, who represented Monaco the year before. With only one single point for dad, the daughter turned out to win the family competition quite clearly.
About the songs: 
Bryan JohnsonBryan Johnson

UK – Bryan Johnson – Looking High, High, High (English)

Music/Lyrics: John Watson/John Watson

Conductor: Eric Robinson

Bryan sounded rather cheerful considering he was singing about looking for his lost love. Like his brother, Teddy, the year before, he gave the listener a reason to smile as all ended happily.

 Siw MalmqvistSiw Malmqvist

Sweden – Siw Malmkvist - Alla Andra Får Varann (Swedish)

Music/Lyrics: Ulf Källqvist/Åke Gerhard

Conductor: Thore Ehrling

A Big Band sound dominated in the background while Siw confidently made her way through the song. The instrumental lasts for almost a minute, maybe one of the longest ever in the contest.

 Camillo FelgenCamillo Felgen Luxembourg – Camillo Felgen – So Lang We’s du do Bast (Luxembourgish)

Music/Lyrics: Henri Mootz & Jean Roderes/Henri Mootz

Conductor: Henri Mootz

Instead of French, Luxembourg tried their own language for the first time. Baritone Camillo delivered a song which wouldn’t have been out of place in a Hollywood musical.

 Katy BødtgerKaty Bødtger

Denmark – Katy Bødtger – Det Var en Yndig Tid (Danish)

Music/Lyrics: Vilfred Kjær/Sven Buemann

Conductor: Kai Mortensen

The song is pleasant enough to listen to but doesn’t hold the listeners ear very well.

 Fud LeclercFud Leclerc

Belgium – Fud Leclerc – Mon Amour Pour Toi (French)

Music/Lyrics: Jack Say/Robert Montal

Conductor: Henry Segers

For their third year entering a song in French, Belgium turned to Fred Luclerc for the third time. There is a slow jazz feel to this song.

 Nora BrockstedtNora Brockstedt

Norway – Nora Brockstedt – Voi, Voi (Norwegian)

Music/Lyrics: George Elgaaen/ George Elgaaen

Conductor: Øivind Bergh

Norway’s debut was a happy sounding tune, using soft swing as the basis for the arrangement.

 Harry WinterHarry Winter Austria – Harry Winter – Du Hast Mich So Fasziniert (German)

Music/Lyrics: Robert Stolz/Robert Gilbert

Conductor: Robert Stolz

After entering something a bit different in 1959, Austria opted went for something more typical of the period, a well sung ballad.
 Francois DegueltFrancois Deguelt

Monaco – Francois Deguelt – Ce Soir-là (French)

Music/Lyrics: Hubert Giraud/Pierre Dorsey

Conductor: Raymond Lefèvre

The intro features swirling strings and energetic piano before calming down for the rest of the song. The strings and piano return for the outro.

 Anita TraversiAnita Traversi

Switzerland – Anita Traversi – Cielo e Terra (Italian)

Music/Lyrics: Mario Robbiani/Mario Robbiani

Conductor: Cedric Dumont

This mid-tempo song jogs along nicely without really going anywhere.

 Rudi CarrellRudi Carrell

The Netherlands – Rudi Carrell – Wat Een Geluk (Dutch)

Music/Lyrics: Dick Schallies/Willy van Hemert

Conductor: Dolf van der Linden

The Dutch went for two in a row with this bouncy little number which features several repetitions of la-la-la.

 Wyn HoopWyn Hoop

Germany – Wyn Hoop – Bonne Nuit, Ma Chérie (German)

Music/Lyrics: Franz Josef Breuer/Kurt Schwabach

Conductor: Franz Josef Breuer

Although Germany didn’t ‘Wyn’, it was another strong effort. Elements of the Cha-Cha-Cha are to the fore.

 Renato RascelRenato Rascel

Italy – Renato Rascel – Romantica (Italian)

Music/Lyrics: Renato Rascel/Dino Verde

Conductor: Cinico Angelini

Another Italian entry, another Sanremo winner. Imagine a traditional Italian ballad of the time and you will hear this.

 Jacqueline BoyerJacqueline Boyer

France – Jacqueline Boyer – Tom Pillibi (French)

Music/Lyrics: André Popp/Pierre Cour

Conductor: Franck Pourcel

France’s second win came with this quirky song delivered well by Jacqueline. Certainly a case of last but not least.

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