Duos

Galit Burg died in car accident

Galit Burg passed away. The singer, who represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1989, was killed in a car accident. According to the Times of Israel, she was involved in a collision between a truck and two vehicles near Kfar Daniel in central Israel. Youth Galit Burg was born on June 8, 1968. She was born and raised in Bat Yam as the eldest daughter in a family of six children. Kdam Eurovision In 1989, musician Shaike Paykov submitted his song “Derech ha’melech” to Kdam Eurovision, the Israeli preliminary round for the Eurovision Song Contest. He chose 12-year-old Gili Netanel to perform his song. Shortly before the competition, the producers of the Eurovision song contest decided to attach an adult singer to it. That then became Galit Burg. Thus was born the duo “Gili and Galit”. Eurovision Song Contest After winning Kdam Eurovision 1989, the two represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest, which was held in Lausanne, Switzerland. The song placed 12th out of 22 contestants. The two recorded an English version of the song called “Shine for Tomorrow”. Although the song was unsuccessful in other countries, it became a hit in Israel. The English version of the song was not a success and the duo split up shortly afterwards. Tramp In 1991, two years after the Eurovision appearance, Burg founded the band “Tramp”, with which she performed at “Telrock” in Holon. In 1995, they competed for the “Wheel of Fortune Girl” title. United States and Europe Burg married the band’s guitarist and intermittently moved to the United States, where she was engaged in music. In 1994 she released a rock album in Israel that was not a success. Three years later, she went to the European market under the stage name “Galecia”, and published a dance song in English called “You Are The One”, which received a lot of airplay. Later, in 2005, she released an album called “Nogat Bach” consisting of her and her husband’s material. In 2013, she entered the auditions for the first season of X Factor Israel. Private life Borg was the mother of two children. In the first decade of the 21st century, she returned to Israel. Galit Burg was 54 years old.

Blast from the past: Belgium 1973

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, we will have a look at 1973, when Nicole and Hugo represented Belgium with the song “Baby baby”. Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest Belgium is one of the countries that participates in the Eurovision Song Contest from the first moment on in 1956. The only Belgian victory came in 1986, with Sandra Kim and her song “J’aime la vie”. However, in recent years Loïc Nottet (2015) and Blanche (2017) reached the top-5, both with a 4th place. National Selection In 1973, the national final Liedjes voor Luxemburg was held on February 25th. The song presentation can be found on Youtube, sound only. Although five quite big names in Flanders participated, Nicole and Hugo were the big favourites, as they missed the contest in 1971. Rita Deneve, “Ga met me mee”, 0 pt., 4th Nicole and Hugo, “Jij en ik en wij”, 0 pt., 4th Ann Christy, “Bye bye”, 1 pt., 3rd Kalinka, “Nooit ga ik van je heen”, 0 pt., 4th Liliane Dorekens, “Morgen”, 0 pt., 4th Rita Deneve, “Vrede voor iedereen”, 2pt., 2nd Nicole & Hugo, “Baby, baby”, 4 pt., 1st Ann Christy, “Meeuwen”, 0 pt., 4th Kalinka, “Home sweet home”, 0 pt., 4th Liliane Dorekens, “Kiss, Kus, Kuss”, 0 pt., 4th For the Dutch speaking: a lot of information about the national final can be found in “Van Canzonissima tot Eurosong – 65 jaar Belgische preselecties voor het Eurovisie Songfestival“, written by André Vermeulen. Nicole & Hugo The duo existed of Nicole Josy (Nicole van der Palm, born October 21st 1946) and Hugo Sigal (Hugo Verbraeken, born November 10th 1947). Both had a solo career before they met in 1970. Nicole already attempted to go to Eurovision in 1968. The first success of the duo came in 1971, when they won Canzonissima, the Belgian preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Goeiemorgen, morgen“. Unfortunately, Nicole got jaundice and had to stay in bed. The duo was replaced at the contest in Dublin. In December, 1971 became their happy year after all: Nicole and Hugo married. Two years later, they won the Belgian preselection again, and now they were able to go to Eurovision. Unfortunately they came last, but no one ever forgets the purple suits the duo was wearing. In 1974, they proved their success on another contest: the World Popular Song Contest in Tokyo, where they placed 2nd. It brought them several international tours in the 1970s. In 1984, they toured throughout the world on a cruise ship. A comeback came in 2004, when Nicole and Hugo participated in the Belgian preselections again with the song “Love is all around“. Although they didn’t win, the song became a hit. It was followed by several hits in Dutch like “Ik denk aan jou“, “Verliefd“, “Pastorale” and “Schietgebed“. In 2015 the duo decided to retire. On November 4th 2022, Nicole Josy passed away. Baby, Baby The song the duo sang at Eurovision in 1973, “Baby, baby” was composed by Ignace Baert, with lyrics from Erik Marijsse. A very remarkable line in the song was one Nicole sang: “Een vrouw kan niets alleen” (A woman can’t do anything alone). The song reached the 28th place in the Belgian charts. In Eurovision, most of the countries awarded it 5/10 or less, only Monaco and Spain awarded it with 6/10 votes. Therefore, the song became 17th and last.

Alfred García

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameAlfred García Castillo Born14 March 1997 Nationality???????? Spanish National SelectionOperación Triunfo 2017/18 In Eurovision2018 Tel Aviv SongTu cancíon (2018, with Amaia Romero) Biography Alfred García Castillo, born in El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, , known as Alfred or Alfred García, is a Spanish singer, songwriter, producer and performer. He began singing in musical bars in the summer of 2011 at the age of just 14. A year later, he released his first self produced album produced by him, entitled “Beginning” and at 17, thanks to the project musical and cultural La Capsa, recorded his first single, “She looks so beautiful”. With that song, he won the audience award at the Cara B festival. In 2016, Alfred participated in the blind auditions of La Voz (The Voice). However he was not selected by any coach, so he could not continue. That same year, he self-published INBLACK (Volume One), an acoustic tribute album. In 2017, Alfred appeared at Operación Triunfo. He made it to the final of the contest. As a finalist, he was also candidate to represent Spain in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest with two songs: a solo song called “Que nos sigan las Luces” and a duet with his girlfriend Amaia called “Tu canción”. Alfred and Amaia’s song won and became 23rd in the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon. In April 2018, Alfred was the winner of the Ciudad del Prat Award as an artist and singer. During his time at the Operación Triunfo academy he composed new songs in order to include these songs in his first record. On May 9, 2018, the singer-songwriter announced a “test tour”, where he would show the public some of the candidate songs to be included in his debut album. In June 2018, five months after the Eurovision Gala, the solo song presented by Alfred (“Que nos sigan las luces”) was number one in downloads on iTunes and exceeded 6 million listeners on Spotify. The song earned a gold disc, making it Alfred’s first solo gold record. The first studio album after living the Operación Triunfo experience, entitled “1016”, making a nod to the number that they put in the casting of the talent show, was recorded during October 2018. The album was released on December 14, 2018. Alfred became the first Spanish male artist to record streaming on Spotify on its first day on the market and the first Spanish artist with 16 songs in the top 200 of Spotify Spain, 15 of them in the top 100, the first day of release. The album “1016” was certified gold in its fourth week on the market. Also obtaining the gold record certificate on February 12 for his first single De la tierra hasta Marte”. His new tour, “1016”, started in February 2019. After finishing this tour, the singer continued and went on tour at the biggest festivals in the country, such as Holika or Mediterránea. In July 2019 he has returned to the Share Festival, a solidarity festival in which he has collaborated with Nil Moliner in “Que nos sigan las Luces”, with Carlos Sadness in a more summery and festival version of soul “Don’t count on me” and with the rapper Rayden, in a song called “Comunicado oficial”. In August, 2019, he gave his first concert for in Latin America, in Buenos Aires. In March 2020 he created and lead his first management company, “Salvar a los penguins, S.L.” On December 21, 2020, he announced on his social networks that he would return to music after a period of time without musical activity. On January 15, 2021, the song “”Los Espabilados was published. Entries Tu Canción (Amaia & Alfred) Country???????? Spain Year2018 LanguageSpanish LyricsRaúl GómezSylvia Santoro MusicRaúl GómezSylvia Santoro Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 61Position: 23Running order: 2 https://youtu.be/28oMEFgSoyk

Amaia Romero

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameAmaia Romero Arbizu Born03 January 1999 Nationality???????? Spanish National SelectionOperación Triunfo 2017/18 In Eurovision2018 Lisbon SongTu cancíon (2018, with Alfred García) Biography Amaia Romero Arbizu, born in Pamplona, known simply as Amaia, is a Spanish singer and songwriter. In 2010, at the age of 11, she participated in the children’s talent show Cántame una canción. A year later In 2011, she was one of the two winners Rock Camp 2011. In 2012 she participated in the first edition of El numero uno, managing to stay in the competition for 6 weeks. After a few years of training, Amaia collaborated with the Navarrese group Lemon y Tal on the song “Cicatrices de mi reality”. In 2017, she auditioned for Operación Triunfo and was selected. On February 5 2018, she was proclaimed the winner of the edition with 46% of the votes. On March 16, Universal Music Spain released the singer’s first compilation album in the form of a magazine in its physical edition, entitled “Amaia Romero”, her songs, which included the singer’s performances during her time with Operación Triunfo, including “City of stars» in duet with Alfred García, «Con las gana» in a duet with Aitana and «Shake it out», reached the top 3 of the list of sales and digital platforms. Due to her participation in Operación Triunfo, she was a candidate to represent Spain in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. In this way, she was assigned the songs “Al cancanta”, and “Tu cancion”, the latter sung with her partner and boyfriend Alfred García. In the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon The Spanish representatives Amaia and Alfred reached the 23rd place. On September 3, the promotional short for the Temporada Alta 2018 theater festival titled “La Voz de España” was published, starring Amaia. In this short film set in a television program from the 1970s, Amaia performs the song “I’m a rebel” by Jeanette. During a U2 concert in September of that year, Amaia sang a duet with Bono. On November 23, a new version of “Al Cantar” was published, the latter in a duet with Rozalén. In addition she worked together with Carolina Durante, in a song called “Perdona (Now Sí Que Sí)” . A new song with Alfred was also released, “ On December 14, her collaboration with the artist Alfred García was published, a Jazz song in Catalan entitled «Et vulle veure”. Shortly after, the releationship with Alfred García ended. In May 2019, she released her first single, entitled “El Relámpago”, followed by “Nadie podría hacerlo” in June. In August of the same year, she published her third single “Quedará en nos mente” as a preview of her first album. That album, “Pero no pasa nada” was published in September. In 2020, Amaia participated in the Goya Awards during its 34th edition. She performed the song ‘Canción de Marisol’ that appears in the film “Ha Llegado Un Ángel”. On May 1, 2020, the documentary : Una Vuelta al sol” directed by Marc Pujolar premiered on Amazon Prime Video. The documentary shows the process of creating the album ‘Pero no pasa nada’ as well as some of her concerts. In October 2020, Amaia launches a collaboration, together with the singer and producer Alizzz, called “El Encuentro”. In February 2021, Amaia launches a collaboration, together with Los Hermanos Cubero, called «Efímera». Amaia also participated in the documentary ‘Pongamos que hablo de Camela’. On April 8, she released a duet with the singer Mikel Erentxun called “Esos ojos negros”. This song would form part of Erentxun’s next album. In September 2021, Amaia starred in the spot for the new Mahou campaign together with both her grandmothers. On October 1, 2021, Amaia releases “Yo Invito”, the the first song of the second album that would be released at the end of the year. On November 24, Amaia premiered “Quiero Pero No”, her second single from her second studio album. The song is a collaboration with the fashionable rapper, Rojuu. On May 13 2022, she released her second studio album “Cuando no sé quién soy”. Obtaining the No. 2 of the most listened to albums in Spain and the No. 1 in the best-selling vinyl. Entries Tu cancíon (Amaia & Alfred) Country???????? Spain Year2018 LanguageSpanish LyricsRaúl GómezSylvia Santoro MusicRaúl GómezSylvia Santoro Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 61Position: 23Running order: 2 https://youtu.be/28oMEFgSoyk

Sebastian Rejman

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameSebastian Rejman Born13 January 1978 Nationality???????? Finnish National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2019 In Eurovision2019 Tel Aviv SongLook away (2019, with Darude) Biography Sebastian Rejman (born 13 January 1978 [1]) is a Finnish musician, actor and presenter. He was the lead singer of the Giant Leap, a melodic rock band formed in 2005 in Helsinki. The band includes, beside Sebastian Petri Somer and Sami Lehto. The Giant Leap changed to its current form when founding members Sebastian and Petri became acquainted with Sami Lehto in the summer of 2005. Sebastian and Petri are responsible for writing the songs and arranging and producing the songs for Sami. All members of the band have years of musical background. The songs on the band’s debut album, released in the fall of 2007, have been released over the years. The band’s first single, “All In My Head,” was distributed to radio stations in late May, and in the summer of 2007, it became one of the radio’s most played songs. The second single “Somebody Else” was broadcast on radio on September 17, 2007, and a music video was also made for the song. The band’s first two singles can be found on the October 31, 2007 album “Another Day Rising”. On December 7, 2007, the band acted as warmer for Bryan Adams at his Finnish gig. The band’s second album, The Giant Leap, was released in 2010. After Giant Leap froze for a while, Sebastian formed a new band called Sebastian & The 4th Line Band. Rejman is from a bilingual working-class family in eastern Helsinki and has lived in Kallio, Helsinki. He started playing guitar and singing at the age of 14. He cites Elvis Presley and Bruce Springsteen as his musical role models. Rejman participated in Nelonen’s Choir War , where he conducted the Helsinki Choir. The Helsinki Choir dropped out of the race first. In addition to the songs from The Giant Leap, Rejman and Somer did a song “Hauraalla jäällä” with Lasse Wikman and Samppa Komokallio. Rejman also composed the song “Hetki me vaan lennettiin” for Riku Torkkel with Esa Nieminen. Since 2012, Rejman has also been a TV presenter as he co-hosted Talentin with Lorenz Backman. Since then, he has hosted Splash and worked as a backstage reporter for The Voice of Finland. In 2014, he hosted the tv-show Jukebox and also co-hosted the final concert of the show We Want More program with Kristiina Komulainen. In 2017, he starred in the film “Kuudes kerta”. Since 2018, Sebastian has a role in the hospital series Syke. Rejman represented Finland at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, Israel, together with Darude. Entries Look Away (with Darude) Country???????? Finland Year2019 LanguageEnglish LyricsSebastian RejmanVille Virtanen MusicSebastian RejmanVille Virtanen BackingsPetri SomerMatti LeinoHeini IkonenEtel Röhr Results Semi Points: 23Position: 17Running order: 3 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/VSPhIwOJfRs

Ben & Tan

About Quick Facts MembersBenjamin RosenbohmTanne Amanda Balcells Founded2020 Nationality???????? Danish National SelectionDansk Melodi Grand Prix 2020 In Eurovision2020 Rotterdam (canceled) SongYes (2020, canceled) Biography Ben & Tan is a Danish duo, existing of Benjamin Tsimalona Rosenbohm (3 june 2002) from Hellerup and Tanne Amanda Balcells (22) from Frederiksberg. Both Benjamin and Tanne participated in ‘X Factor’ 2019. Tanne as part of Oh Land’s composite girl band Echo, reaching the semi-finals, and Benjamin a very popular number 2, among others. has done jobs all over the country as well as in London.Ben & Tan were chosen to represent Denmark in the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, due to the corona crisis. After the Eurovision Song Contest, Ben & Tan released 3 more singles: “Summer nights” and “Hallelujah (Christmas on my lips)” in 2020, in March 2021 “Iron heart” was released. Entries Yes Country???????? Denmark Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsEmil Ander LeiJimmy JanssonLinnea Deb MusicEmil Ander LeiJimmy JanssonLinnea Deb Backings– Results Semi Points: – Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/XQ5tMhQIp1E

Lukas Meijer

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameLukas Dan Emil Meijer Born21 August 1988 Nationality???????? Swedish National SelectionKrajoew Eliminacje 2018 In Eurovision2018 Lisbon SongLight me up (2018, with Gromee) Biography Lukas Meijer is a Swedish musician, guitarist, singer, songwriter and photographer, born in Stockholm. In his youth, he played Ice hockey. Since 2013 he is the vocalist of the rock band No Sleep For Lucy. On March 9, 2018, the band released it’s debut studio album, “Until the End”. In 2017, he collaborated with the Polish music producer Gromee, with whom he recorded the single “Without You”. In 2018, they represented Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Light me up”. The song did not reach the final, but was awarded a platinum disc in Poland. In March 2019, Sleep For Lucy made a European tour. Exactly a year later, their new single “Erase” came out. In 2021, they opened for Starset. In addition to his musical career, he works as a teacher at the School Complex in Blackeberg, a suburb of Stockholm. Entries Light Me Up (with Gromee) Country???????? Poland Year2018 LanguageEnglish LyricsGromeeLukas MeijerMahan MoinChristian Rabb MusicGromeeLukas MeijerMahan MoinChristian Rabb BackingsKasia DereńSarah Chmiel-GromalaMahan MoinChristian Rabb Results Semi Points: 81Position: 14Running order: 11 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: –

Jenifer Brening

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameJenifer Brening Born15 December 1996 Nationality???????? German National Selection1 in 360 2018 (San Marino) In Eurovision2018 Lisbon SongWho we are (2018, with Jessika) Biography Jenifer Brening is a German singer, born in Berlin. She uploaded cover videos of top international hits to YouTube. In 2010 she took part in the regional singing competition Heidenheim sucht den Superstar and took the first place there. Brening also took part in Bravo-Star 2011. She took part in the Sat.1 talent game show The Winner is … in 2012. In 2014 she took part in Deutschland sucht den Superstar. In February 2013 Brening’s EP “My sky” was released. Brening’s first solo single “Not That Guy” was released on December 31, 2013. With this, she won the EMMAward 2014 as Best Newcomer. Brening’s second solo single “A New Me” was released only a few days later 2014, her third single “Alive” shortly after. All three songs were available as downloads. In 2015 first self-written single was released under the label KHB Music followed by “Miracle” in 2016, for which she was nominated in the Pop category at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards. In November of that year, Brening released her debut album “Recovery”. In 2018, she participated in the Sammarinese national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Sorry” and “Until the morning light”. However, when Sammarinese rapper Irol withdrew, she replaced him as the featured artist in Jessika‘s entry “Who we are”. They won and represented San Marino in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. In 2020, during the first COVID19 lockdown, Jenifer released the single “Wonderland” in cooperation with Nico Rosentahl. Entries Who We Are (with Jessika) Country???????? San Marino Year2018 LanguageEnglish LyricsMathias StrasserZoë StraubChristof StraubStefan MoessleJenifer Brening MusicMathias StrasserZoë StraubChristof StraubStefan MoessleJenifer Brening BackingsLeni SommerBasti SchmidtCarlota de Bastos CarreiraJoana de Lima Results Semi Points: 28Position: 17Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/66D0pKVdA-4

Fabrizio Moro

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts Name Fabrizio Mobrici Born 09 April 1975 Nationality ???????? Italian National Selection Festival di Sanremo 2022 Festival di Sanremo 2018 Festival di Sanremo 2017 In Eurovision 2018 Lisbon Song Non mi avete fatto niente (2018) Biography Fabrizio Moro is an Italian singer and songwriter. In 1996 he released his first single “Per tutta un’altra destinazione”. The first album, “Fabrizio Moro”, was released in 2000, the year in which he participated for the first time at the Festival di Sanremo in the section Giovani. In 2004, he took part in the Italianos para siempre collection with two songs. Still in the same year, the single “Eppure pretendevi di essere chiamata amore” was released and took part in the Fandango festival. In 2005 the single “Ci vuole un business” was released. The song was used by the Italian Red Cross for their social campaigns. It was also included in Moro’s second album, released in the same year. In 2007 he participated in the Festival di Sanremo in the section Giovani with the song “Pensa”, dedicated to the victims of the mafia. In March 2007 his third studio album “Pensa” was released, certified platinum as was the single with the sem titel. In the same year he was awarded the Lunezia Prize. Subsequently the single “Parole rumori e giorni” was released, the video of which brought him the Rome Videoclip 2007 award. Also in the summer of 2007 Fabrizio presented his new album live in some summer events. He opened at concerts on the tour of Vasco Rossi. He also took part in Festivalbar 2007. In 2008 Moro participated in the Festival di Sanremo. Shortly after the festival, his fourth album “Domani” was released. One of the singles, “Libero” was used as the soundtrack of of the TV series I liceali. In 2010 he took part in the Festival di Sanremo with the song “Non è una canzone”. His sixth album “Ancora Barabba” was released in the same year. In the summer of 2010, Moro made a tour throughout Italy. A new album followed in 2011, DVD and double CD “Atlantico Live”. The song is also the final theme of the documentary 148 Stefano monstri. Apart from his own work, he also wrote a song for Noemi for the Festival of Sanremo. In 2013 he collaborated with the indie rock group Il Parto delle Nuvole Pesanti. He also wrote songs for Emma Marone’s new album. On May 23, 2014 he performed in Piazza San Giovanni in Rome for the closure of the election campaign for the European elections of the 5 Star Movement. In June 2015 the singer participated in the third edition of the Summer Festival with the song “Alessandra sarà sempre più bella”. Moro played the role of a professor in the 2015 television broadcast Amici di Maria De Filippi. In 2016, he took part in the Festival di Sanremo again, now writing a song for Valerio Scanu. On 1st May 2016 he took part in the May 1st Concert. A year later, he took part in the Festival di Sanremo himself with the song “Portami via”. Together with Ermal Meta, Moro took part in the festival of San Remo 2018 with the song “Non mi avete fatto niente”. The song won the first prize in San Remo. When asked to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest, the two decided to say yes. On June 16, 2018 he held his first concert at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, which was attended by about 20,000 spectators. April 12, 2019 marks the return of Fabrizio Moro with his tenth album “Figli di nessuno”, followed by the single “Ho bisogno di credere”.In June the single “Figli di nessuno (amianto)” was released, followed in August by “Per me”. At the end of the year, Fabrizio visited Italy with the Figli di nessuno tour. On May 22, 2020 Moro released a new version of the 2008 single “Il senso di ogni cosa”. On November 20, the “Canzoni d’amore nascoste” collection album was released, a selection of songs recorded, for the most part, in Moro’s early career presented in a completely new guise, as well as two unpublished ones. At the same time the single “Melodia di giugno” was released. On February 16, 2021, the single “Voglio stare con te” was extracted from the collection. In February 2022 he took part in the Festival di Sanremo with the song “Sei tu”, with which he ranks 12th. This is followed by the release of the EP “La mia voce” and his first film, Ghiaccio. On 13 May the second excerpt from the EP, “Oggi”, was released. Entries Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente Country ???????? Italy Year 2018 Language Italian Lyrics Ermal Meta Fabrizio Moro Andrea Febo Music Ermal Meta Fabrizio Moro Andrea Febo Backings Roberto Maccaroni Abdrea Vigentini Results Semi Points: – Position: – Running order: – Results Finals Points: 308 Position: 5 Running order: 26

Maxine & Franklin Brown

Group Members : Gonny Buurmeester Franklin Kroonenberg Nationality : Dutch National Finals : Nationaal Songfestival 1996 ESC Entries : De eerste keer (1996) Website : Facebook/Franklin Facebook/Maxine Biography Maxine and Franklin Brown are a Dutch Duo. They sing both solo and together. Maxine, stage name of Gonny Buurmeester (Rotterdam, 14 October 1970), is a Dutch singer. At the age of fifteen she joined the school band and started taking singing lessons at the Jazz Academy in Antwerp. Her first single became a rendition of Roy Orbison’s own: “A love so beautiful”. Maxine took part in the Eurovision Song Contest, together with singer Franklin Brown, with whom she eventually took 7th place with the song “De eerste keer”. Solo Maxine, like Brown, started a solo career in 1996. She released a number of Dutch singles, including “Als je weet wat je wilt”, “Nooit meer alleen” and “Waanzin”. She also released two English-language singles, “African Dream” and “Don’t Stop”. They all reached the Dutch charts. In 2003 she and DJ Stuart had a big (summer) hit with the song “Free” (Let It Be). After the great success, there was also a second single, “Fuel To Fire”. Maxine is currently singing in the Edwin Evers Band. Franklin Brown was a police officer when he started his career as a singer. He was still a police officer when he represented the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest. After several female colleagues accused him of sexual harassment at work, he was fired. In 1998, he was sentenced to two months’ probation on appeal. According to Brown, the intimacies were part of the work culture. A female colleague who had sent him sexually explicit e-mails was later fired, partly because she allegedly made a false statement. In 2005, Brown began performing with his own show orchestra. The Las Vegas Show orchestra in a ten-piece orchestra conducted by Pieter van den Dolder and is regularly supplemented with strings. Brown also played major roles in various shows by Frank Wentink in Studio 21 in Hilversum and he has set up his own event and booking agency, F.B. eye Productions. With singer Mark Dakriet he founded the group B.I.G. where he brought in singer Danny Sopacua. Together with Maxine, he was also a member of the Eurovision song contest group The EuroStars. The ex-song contest participants Marlayne, Esther Hart and Mandy Huydts are also part of this group. In 2007 Franklin Brown and Maxine recorded a new single and CD for the first time in eleven years. The single was composed by John Ewbank and lyrics written by Franklin Brown. The CD is titled “Steeds weer”. In 2011, Franklin Brown and pianist Fred van Straten wrote the song “Me again” for the feature film De Heineken Kidnapping. Franklin sang this song in this film. In 2012, the duo Franklin & Maxine’s single, entitled “Balsem voor het hart” was released. 2016 was the anniversary year for the Eurovision duo. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary, the hit “De eerste keer” was re-recorded in collaboration with Edwin Evers, who wrote and sang a rap for this performance under the name BICKEL. In 2014, Brown became the lead singer of the jazz band Tiny Little Bigband. In 2020 Brown participated in a Eurovision edition of the Dutch show series Beste Zangers. Entries Country : The Netherlands Year : 1996 Language : Dutch Artist : Maxine & Franklin Brown Song : De eerste keer Lyrics : Piet Souer Composer(s) : Piet Souer, Peter van Asten Conductor Dick Bakker Backings : Dian Senders Dwight Muskita Ingrid Simons Jody Pijper Results Audiofinal Points : 63 Position : 9 Running order : 21 Results Points : 78 Position : 7 Running order : 15 https://youtu.be/W6OaiA5OUo4