1980

🇳🇴 Blast from the Past: Norway 1980

photo: Nationaal Archief, Den Haag We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today: Mattis Hætta and Sverre Kjelsberg, representing Norway in 1980 with the song “Samiid Ædnan”. Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest Norway has had a long and varied history in the Eurovision Song Contest, which they first entered in 1960. Over the years, Norway has experienced both highs and lows in the competition.Norway has won the contest three times: 1985 – Bobbysocks: The duo, consisting of Hanne Krogh and Elisabeth Andreassen, won with the song “La det swinge” (Let it swing). This victory was a landmark moment for Norway, as it was their first win in the contest. 1995 – Secret Garden: An instrumental piece, “Nocturne”, with just 24 words sung by Norwegian violinist Rolf Løvland and Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry, secured Norway’s second victory. 2009 – Alexander Rybak: The singer, violinist, composer, and actor won with a record-breaking 387 points for his song “Fairytale”. This score remained the highest in Eurovision history until the voting system was changed in 2016. Despite their victories, Norway is also known for having finished last a number of times, often with the infamous ‘nul points’. Some of these instances have become iconic in Eurovision history, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the contest. Melodi Grand Prix 1980 The national final, Melodi Grand Prix, was held on March 22nd at NRK Studio 2 in Oslo. Åse Kleveland, participant in 1966 and hosting Eurovision in 1986, was the host of the show. Note that she also traveled along with Mattis Hætta and Sverre Kjelsberg to The Hague to introduce the duo. Every country had their own host in the 1980 show. The songs were: “Stjerneskudd“, by Anita Skorgan, 48 pts, 6th “Ja“, by Jahn Teigen, 32 pts, 9th “Parken“, by Radka Toneff, 43 pts, 8th “Bjørnen sover“, by Åge Aleksandersen og Sambandet, 61 pts, 1st “Maestro“, by Hilde Heltberg, 32 pts, 9th “Auståvind“, by Hennig Sommerro, 45 pts, 7th “Univers“, by Alex, 58 pts, 3rd “Rudi“, by Nina Askeland, 58 pts, 3rd “Svart fortid“, by Inger Lise Rypdal, 57 pts, 5th “Samiid ædnan“, by Mattis Hætta and Sverre Kjelsberg, 61 pts, 1st As there was an ex aecquo between both the songs, all the juries had to give one vote for one of the winning songs. In that voting, “Bjørnen sover” received 4 points while “Samiid ædnan” got 5. Age Aleksandersen, the other winner Mattis Hætta and Sverre Kjelsberg Sverre Kjelsberg was a multifaceted Norwegian musician, born on October 18, 1946, in Tromsø, and passing away on June 18, 2016. He began his musical journey as a bassist and vocalist for the popular 1960s rock band, The Pussycats. Known for their Beatlesque style, the band enjoyed considerable success domestically. After the band’s dissolution, Kjelsberg’s musical style evolved, incorporating elements of pop, rock, and folk. Sverre Kjelsberg is perhaps best remembered on the international stage for representing Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980, alongside Mattis Hætta, with the song “Sámiid Ædnan.” Mattis Hætta was a Sami singer and artist renowned for his contribution to the preservation and popularization of the traditional Sami form of singing, known as joik. Born on March 24, 1959, in Maze, Norway, Hætta was a prominent figure in the indigenous Sami community. His musical journey was intertwined with his cultural identity, and he has used his artistry to advocate for the rights and recognition of the Sami people. Mattis Hætta has continued to advocate for indigenous rights and remains a celebrated figure in Norway for his cultural contributions and activism. He passed away on November 9, 2022. Who are the Sami? The Sami are an indigenous people inhabiting the Arctic region known as Sápmi, which spans across the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. Numbering approximately 80,000 to 100,000, the Sami have a rich cultural heritage deeply intertwined with the natural landscapes they inhabit. Traditionally, the Sami have engaged in diverse livelihoods, including fishing, fur trapping, and sheep herding. However, reindeer herding is perhaps the most emblematic aspect of Sami culture, with specific communities having developed semi-nomadic lifestyles centered around reindeer migrations. The Sami have their own distinct languages, which belong to the Uralic linguistic family. While there are multiple Sami languages, many Sami people also speak the languages of the countries they reside in. Sami traditional clothing, known as “gákti,” is vibrant and distinctive, often adorned with colorful bands of decoration and intricate beadwork. The designs and colors can indicate a person’s geographical origin, marital status, and other personal details. Despite facing historical oppression and forced assimilation policies, the Sami have persevered in maintaining and revitalizing their cultural heritage. Today, they continue to advocate for their rights, including land rights, cultural preservation, and political representation within the Nordic countries and Russia. Apart from Mattis Hætta and Sverre Kjelsberg, also Keiino brought the audience something of the Sami culture. Sami rapper Fred Buljo brought us the sound of the joik too! Samiid Ædnan “Sámiid Ædnan” is a significant and memorable song that represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980. Sung by Sverre Kjelsberg and Mattis Hætta, the song is a powerful melding of pop music elements with the traditional Sami form of singing known as joik. The title “Sámiid Ædnan” translates to “Sami Earth” and the song’s lyrics are a call for recognition of the indigenous Sami people and their rights. The song is performed in both Norwegian and Sami languages and emphasizes the unity and connection of the Sami people with their land. What made the performance standout in the Eurovision contest was Mattis Hætta’s joiking and the duo’s choice to wear traditional Sami clothing. This was an act of cultural pride and a political statement about indigenous rights. The song was written as a protest against the construction of a dam in the area where the Sami live. So,

🇱🇺 Blast from the past: Luxembourg 1980

photo credits: Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, Netherlands We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today: two cute ladies, but unfortunately also a sad story. Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest Luxembourg has triumphed in the contest on five distinct occasions. However, the twist is that not a single winner was of Luxembourgish descent. The champions Jean-Claude Pascal (1961), France Gall (1965), Anne-Marie David (1973), and Corinne Hermes (1983) originated from France. Meanwhile, Vicky Leandros (1972), a Greek by birth, has made Germany her longtime residence. National final In 1980, Luxembourg selected their song internally. It is not exactly known how. However, there is a video in which we can see something that looks like an audition. Ralph Siegel and Bernd Meinunger composed a song. For the French lyrics of it, they teamed up with Jean-Paul Cara and Pierre Delanoë. The twins Sophie and Magaly were chosen to sing the entry. Sophie and Magaly Sophie and Magaly, French twin sisters, formed a musical duo. They were born in Neuilly-sur-Seine at 24 august 1962. They gained significant attention when they represented Luxembourg in the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest with “Papa Pingouin”, securing the ninth position. Despite this placement, the track witnessed tremendous commercial acclaim in France, selling over a million copies. Their subsequent release, “Arlequin”, didn’t fare well, leading their German producer Ralph Siegel from Ariola to part ways with them. Another producer, Charles Talar, stepped in, but the duo’s later tracks, “Toi” and “Les nanas de Zorro”, failed to capture the audience, resulting in their disbandment. When Sophie and Magaly, still minors at the time, entered into a contract with Ralph Siegel, their parents lacked insight into the standard practices of the showbiz world. The agreement they made with Siegel ensured only a minimal percentage of the sales would go to the sisters. In April 1982, during a prime-time slot on TF1’s “Droit de réponse”, Magaly opened up about their earnings. She revealed that they each had been paid a mere 5,000 francs (equivalent to 762 € before adjusting for inflation), despite their record sales surpassing a million 45 rpm units. Further, she shared that Siegel had chosen to discontinue his professional relationship with them and was unwilling to revisit the terms of the contract, maintaining that it was already fair and binding. Years later, in 2005, French songwriter Jean-Paul Cara corroborated that Siegel’s intention was never to propel Sophie and Magaly to stardom. He had enlisted them specifically for that one song. Tragically, in the late ’80s, Magaly was diagnosed with HIV, culminating in her passing from AIDS on 2 april 1996. Sophie, grappling with severe depression, resided in southern France until her death on 27 February 2019. Papa Pingouin As said, the song was written and composed by Ralph Siegel and Bernd Meinunger along with Pierre Delanoë and Jean-Paul Cara. The song delves into the whimsical daydreams of the main character, a restless penguin who envisions himself soaring like a seagull and journeying globally, recounting several imagined destinations. By the song’s conclusion, the penguin discerns that existence “on the ice floe” isn’t as dismal as he perceived. Symbolizing his relinquished wanderlust, he “sets his suitcase ablaze.” The song reached the 9th place in the Eurovision Song Contest in Den Haag. Additionally, Sophie & Magaly produced a German rendition of the track titled “Papa Pinguin.” A 2006 animated rendition by the penguin Pigloo propelled the song back into the limelight in France, topping the SNEP Singles Chart for a trio of weeks. With its 27-week chart presence, it ranked as the fifth most popular single in France for that year. Additionally, the tune made its mark on the Swiss Singles Chart, securing the 24th spot. Its German counterpart, “Papa Pinguin”, gained traction in German-speaking regions, climbing to fourth place in Austria and securing the sixth position in both Germany and Switzerland.

Vesa-Matti Loiri passed away

This week, Finnish singer and actor Vesa-Matti Loiri passed away. Loiri, who was nicknamed Vesku, was a Finnish actor, comedian, singer and musician. He is considered one of Finland’s most versatile entertainment artists. He was one of the biggest names in Finnish art and entertainment. Loiri has acted in theatre, films and television. As a comedian, he is known for television programs and movies. As a singer, Loiri gained popularity, especially as an interpreter of songs composed to Eino Leino’s poems. He has also recorded Finnish hits. In 1975, he took part in Euroviisut, the Finnish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. His song “Laulu” became 3rd. Four years later, with “Huilumies”, he was more succesful. He was chosen to represent Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest. Unfortunately, in the international final in Den Haag, it was not a great success. He became last. In 2014, Loiri appeared in the third season of the Finnish TV series Vain läämää. Loiri died of cancer on August 10, 2022. “He was one of Finland’s most well-known, most loved and most successful entertainment artists of all time,” music editor Ilkka Mattila describes Loiri.’s career in the death news.