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Camillo Felgen

1962

1962 Logo (copyright - EBU)
Basic information
Date: 
25 February 1962
Venue: 
Grand Auditorium de RTL, Villa Louvigny, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Broadcaster: 
CLT
Presenter(s): 
Mireille Delanoy
About the contest: 

There was a noticeable shift in the 1961 contest away from what would be thought of in a historical context as the old-fashioned style to something more modern and/or upbeat. Maybe influenced by the fact that an ‘old-fashioned’ song won in 1961, half the countries reverted to the previous type in 1962. For the third year in succession, a French language song won.

Sixteen countries participated, with no-one coming in or dropping out from the previous year. Fud Leclerc was making his fourth and final attempt at winning the contest for Belgium. Ronnie Carroll, Claudio Villa, Marion Rung and Isabelle Aubret were making the first of two appearances each. Jean Philippe was singing his second song for his second country, having represented France in 1959.

The voting system changed slightly from the past few years. Each jury marked all the songs and then awarded 3 points to the song scoring the highest marks, 2 points to the second highest and 1 point to the third highest. Despite this, four countries failed to score any points at all.

Trivia: 
Two other versions of the winner, “Un Premier Amour”, were recorded by other artists with a Eurovision connection. Frida Boccara, who would later achieve France’s fourth win and Isabelle’s conductor, Franck Pourcel, each released a version.
About the songs: 
Marion RungMarion Rung

Finland – Marion Rung – Tipi-tii (Finnish)

Music/Lyrics: Kari Tuomisaari/Kari Tuomisaari

Conductor: George de Godzinsky

Marion was appearing in the contest in the first of her two appearances. As well as plenty of “tipi-tii’s”, there are enough “la’s” to keep the cynics happy.

Fud LeclercFud Leclerc Belgium – Fud Leclerc – Ton Nom (French)

Music/Lyrics: Eric Channe/Tony Golan

Conductor: Henri Segers

This was the fourth year Belgium’s song was in French, so naturally it was Fud’s fourth appearance in the contest. It could have been any of the previous three and no-body would have been any the wiser.
Victor BalaguerVictor Balaguer Spain - Victor Balaguer – Llámame (Spanish)

MusicLyrics: Mario Selles/Miguel Portoles

Conductor: Antonia Moya

Spain’s first entry the year before could have come from anywhere in Europe. Their second effort has more of a Spanish feel about it.
Eleonore SchwarzEleonore Schwarz

Austria - Eleonore Schwarz - Nur in der Wiener Luft (German)

Music/Lyrics: Bruno Uher/Bruno Uher

Conductor: Bruno Uher

Soprano Eleonore went for Austria’s first win with a song which would have sounded dated even then.

Ellen WintherEllen Winther Denmark - Ellen Winther – Vuggevise (Danish)

Music/Lyrics: Kjeld Bonfils/Sejr Volmer-Sørensen

Conductor: Kai Mortensen

Denmark’s sixth entry passes by almost unnoticed. It’s quite slow and not easy to listen to today.

Inger BerggrenInger Berggren Sweden - Inger Berggren - Sol Och Vår (Swedish)

Music/Lyrics: Ulf Kjellqvist & Åke Gerhard/Ulf Kjellqvist & Åke Gerhard

Conductor: Ego Kjerrmann

By this time in the history of the contest, Sweden was establishing itself as the country to rely on for good, cheerful foot-tappers. This song certainly helps that reputation.
Conny FroboessConny Froboess Germany – Conny Froboess – Zwei Kleiner Italiener (German)

Music/Lyrics: Christian Bruhn/Georg Buschor

Conductor: Rolf-Hans Muller

For the second year running, the accordion was present, lending the song a fairground style of sound.
De SpelbrekersDe Spelbrekers The Netherlands – De Spelbrekers – Katinka (Dutch)

Music/Lyrics: Joop Stookkermans/Henny Hamhuis

Conductor: Dolf van der Linden

With beaming smiles, the Dutch duo skipped onto the stage. Their song was also a happy one.
Isabelle AubretIsabelle Aubret France - Isabelle Aubret - Un Premier Amour (French)

Music/Lyrics: Claude Henri Vic/Roland Valade

Conductor: Franck Pourcel

An old-fashioned French ballad won in 1961 for Luxembourg, an old-fashioned French ballad won in 1962 for France. To be fair, this is more appealing than its predecessor.

Inger JacobsenInger Jacobsen

Norway - Inger Jacobsen - Kom Sol, Kom Regn (Norwegian)

Music/Lyrics: Kjell Karlsen/Ivar Andersen

Conductor: Øivind Bergh

Norway’s third entry is a ballad. Strings are the most evident instruments in the arrangement.

Jean PhilippeJean Philippe Switzerland - Jean Philippe - Le Retour (French)

Music/Lyrics: Géo Voumard/ Emile Gardaz

Conductor: Cedric Dumont

The orchestra were used sensibly during this ballad, which was an improvement on his first effort for France three years earlier.
Lola NovakovicLola Novakovic Yugoslavia - Lola Novakovic - Ne Pali Svetlo u Sumrak (Serbo-Croat)

Music/Lyrics: Jozé Privšek/ Dragutin Britvic

Conductor: Jozé Privšek

Yugoslavia’s approach was similar to their first song in 1961, a ballad sung by a female. The result was a little better.
Ronnie CarrollRonnie Carroll UK – Ronnie Carroll – Ring-a-Ding Girl (English)

Music/Lyrics: Syd Cordell/Stan Butcher

Conductor: Wally Stott

At first, the “Ring-a-Ding” refers to his reaction to first seeing his girl. As the song progresses, the “Ring-a-Ding” represents the wedding bells. Clever or corny – you decide.
Camillo FelgenCamillo Felgen Luxembourg - Camillo Felgen- Petit Bonhomme (French)

Music/Lyrics: Jacques Datin/Maurice Vidalin

Conductor: Jean Roderes

If at first you succeed, try the same thing again. This time, it wasn’t quite as successful. Perhaps the spoken part didn’t help, or maybe was it Camillo's striking resemblance to Dracula?
Claudio VillaClaudio Villa Italy - Claudio Villa – Addio, Addio (Italian)

Music/Lyrics: Domenico Modugno/ Franco Migliacci

Conductor: Cinico Angelini

Claudio is a legend in Italian music history. He and another legend, Domenico Modugno, won the Sanremo festival with this song, which Domenico also wrote. A powerful performance of a powerful song.
François DegueltFrançois Deguelt Monaco - François Deguelt - Dis Rien (French)

Music/Lyrics: Henri Salvador/ René Rouzaud

Conductor: Raymond Lefèvre

Having attempted something a little different the previous year, Monaco played it safer this year with a straight ballad.

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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