obituaries

🇮🇪 Ireland: Dickie Rock passed away

Ireland: Dickie Rock passed away aged 88. That is what his family have announced. His death was confirmed in a statement issued by his family this evening: “His children, Jason, John, Richard, Sarah Jane and Peter will miss him very much. Dickie lost his beloved Judy in 2022 and they are now together again, and that is of some comfort to the family.” Dickie Rock was born on October 10, 1936, in Dublin, Ireland. He became very popular in the 1960s as the lead singer of The Miami Showband. That was one of Ireland’s top bands at the time. With his great voice and lively performances, Dickie won many fans and had several hit songs in Ireland. His song “Every Step of the Way“ was one of his biggest successes. In 1966, Dickie represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Come Back to Stay”. He finished in fourth place. Fans loved his singing so much that he became a national favorite, and the phrase “spit on me, Dickie” showed how much people adored him. Even today, Dickie Rock is remembered as one of Ireland’s best-loved entertainers, inspiring many with his music. Dickie Rock participated in the Irish national Song Contest several times. In 1965, he made his debut there. A year later, he even had three songs, and won! Also in 1969 and 1977, he did attempts. However, he did not win anymore. Dickie Rock passed away at age 88.

Martin Lee passed away

Though it hurts to go away, it’s impossible to stay…. On September 29, Martin Lee passed away at age 77. Lee was one of the members of Brotherhood of Man, the group winning the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest. Martin Lee was a British singer and songwriter, best known as a member of the pop group Brotherhood of Man. He was born on November 26, 1949, in Surrey, England. Martin always had a love for music and started his career as a singer in the 1960s. In 1973, Martin joined Brotherhood of Man. The group became famous for their catchy pop songs. He was part of the group when they won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976 with the song “Save Your Kisses for Me.” The song was a huge hit and reached number one in many countries. As a member of Brotherhood of Man, Martin performed in many countries and had several more hit songs. Some of their other famous songs include “Angelo” and “Figaro.” Martin not only sang in the group but also helped write many of their songs. The group quit in 1984. However, they made a restart in 1987 and kept on going until very recent. Martin Lee has a daughter from his first marriage. She was born in 1973. In late 1973, Sandra Stevens joined Brotherhood of Man. Soon after, she and Martin Lee started a relationship. Martin and Sandra got married in August 1979. They lived in Surrey.

Françoise Hardy passed away

This night, the sad news came to us that French singer Françoise Hardy passed away. Hardy represented Monaco in the 1963 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “L’amour s’en va”. Hardy, who was born on January 11 1944, signed her first contract with the record label Disques Vogue in November 1961. In April 1962, shortly after finishing school, she released her first album called “Oh oh Chéri.” The title song was written by Johnny Hallyday’s songwriting team. The song “Tous les garçons et les filles” became very popular and sold 2 million copies. She had long hair, usually wore jeans with a leather jacket, and played the guitar. Because of the success of “Tous les garçons et les filles” and her style, people in the mid-1960s called her ‘France’s answer to The Beatles.’ Hardy sometimes sang in English, Italian, Spanish, and German. In 1963, she represented Monaco at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “L’amour s’en va” and finished in fifth place. She received the Grand Prix du Disque Académie Charles Cros award in 1968. In May 2000, she made a comeback with the album “Clair Obscur.” Her son played guitar, and her husband sang a duet with her called “Puisque vous partez en voyage.” Iggy Pop and Étienne Daho also took part in the album. Françoise Hardy was already ill for a long time. She was 80 years old.

🇳🇱 The Netherlands: In memoriam Humphrey Campbell

Dutch Eurovision singer Humphrey Campbell passed away. He was 66 years old. Campbell’s journey in the music industry kicked off when he, still a teenager in Suriname, clinched victory at a School Song Festival. This win earned him a record deal, under the mentorship of Oscar Harris. Following a tour in the Netherlands alongside Harris, Campbell was inspired to settle there and pursue his musical career. He took part at the Knokke Song Contest, and secured a lead role in the musical “A Night at the Cotton Club,” where he starred alongside Ruth Jacott. Jacott and Campbell had a relationship at that time. During this period, he crafted a unique musical style that fused jazz with elements of South American music. Campbell’s big break came in 1992 when he was selected to represent at the Eurovision Song Contest, outperforming nine other competitors. Ruth Jacott joined him at the contest in Malmö, Sweden, as his background singer. His song, “Wijs me de weg”, reached a 9th place. The following year, roles reversed as Campbell supported Ruth Jacott with background vocals when she represented the Netherlands with the song “Vrede.” Following his stint at Eurovision, Campbell continued his music career predominantly behind the scenes, collaborating as a guest musician with artists such as Paul de Leeuw, Anita Meijer, and Rob de Nijs. He also shared his expertise as a conservatory teacher in Amsterdam. Last week, Humphrey Campbell announced that he had to cancel a planned tour, as he was seriously ill, suffering from cancer. Campbell was 66 years old.

Guy Bonnet passed away

Yesterday, 8 January 2024, Guy Bonnet sadly passed away. Bonnet participated in the Eurovision Song Contest three times: in 1968 as a composer, in 1970 and 1983 as a singer. Born on 8 August 1945, in Avignon, France, Bonnet’s passion for music manifested early in his life. He pursued his love for music with zeal, studying at the Conservatoire in Avignon and later at the Conservatoire in Marseille. Bonnet’s career took a significant turn when he represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest. His first appearance was in 1968 as a composer for Isabelle Aubret’s entry, “La Source.” However, it was his own performance in 1970 with the song “Marie-Blanche” that truly marked his arrival on the international music scene. He graced the Eurovision stage again in 1983 with “Vivre,” showcasing his versatile musical talent. Beyond Eurovision, Bonnet was known for his profound contributions to French chanson, a genre he enriched with his poetic lyrics and melodic compositions. His works often reflected his deep connection to his Provençal roots, blending traditional sounds with contemporary influences. Throughout his career, Bonnet collaborated with numerous artists like Mireille Mathieu, Sylvie Vartan, Franck Fernandel and the Massilia Sound System. He was not just a performer but an educator, passionately involved in fostering musical talent in younger generations. 1968: La Source, sung by Isabelle Aubret 1970: Marie-Blanche 1983: Vivre

🇮🇱 In memoriam: Shmulik Bilu

Shmulik Bilu sadly passed away at 31 December 2023, at the age of 71 following a lengthy illness. He was a member of ‘Milk and Honey’, the group that famously represented Israel in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest with their winning song ‘Hallelujah’. In his early years, Bilu was part of the Armored Corps band and took part in the 1969 show ‘Just a Tanker’. He joined ‘Milk and Honey’ in 1979, a band formed specifically for the Song and Chorus Festival, where their rendition of ‘Hallelujah’, penned by Shimrit Orr and Kobi Oshrat, earned them first place. This victory came a year after Izhar Cohen’s success, ensuring their participation in the subsequent European competition. The group also included Yehuda Tamir, Reuven Gvirtz, and lead singer Gali Atari. Bilu later shifted his focus to working in various productions.

🇵🇹 Blast from the Past: Portugal 1994

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 want to honour Sara Tavares, who participated for Portugal in 1994. She passed away last Sunday. Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest Portugal started participating in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964. It all started with a zero. This was the starting signal for a long and not easy road for Portugal. The idiosyncratic entries the country had often finished low. Exceptions were Carlos Mendes (1958) and José Cid (1980), both of whom reached a seventh place. In 1996, Lucia Moniz finished in sixth place with her “O meu coração não tem cor”. But for a victory, Portugal had to wait until 2017. It was Salvador Sobral who managed to enchant both the televoters and the professional jury with his subdued song “Amar pelos dois”. It turned into a landslide victory for the Portuguese; something they had been waiting for so long. photo: EBU/Andres Putting Festival RTP Da Canção 1994 The national final in Portugal is always called Festival RTP Da Canção. This year, two semifinals were held, on 10 and 17 january. Each of the semifinals contained 10 songs. Among them, Marco Quelhas, who represented Portugal in the 2001 contest as a half of the duo MTM. Eight songs headed to the final: Isabel Campelo, “Malmequer do Campo“, 122 pts, 3rd Trivium, “Trovas do Demo e d’el Rei“, 84 pts, 5th Pedro Miguéis, “Todos Nós Alguma Vez“, 136 pts, 2nd Inova Fora Nada, “O Vento Sabe o Que Quer“, 83 pts, 6th José Carvalho, “Lisboa, Minha Linda Cidade“, 92 pts, 4th Fernanda Lopes, “Se Fores Poema“, 75 pts, 7th Tó Carlos, “Ai Dona Inês“, 46 pts, 8th Sara Tavares, “Chamar a Música“, 220 pts, 1st As you can see, Sara Tavares won with a landslide, 84 points ahead of the runner up! Sara Tavares Sara Alexandra Lima Tavares, born on February 1, 1978, in Lisbon, Portugal, was a renowned Portuguese singer, composer, guitarist, and percussionist. Of Cape Verdean descent, her parents immigrated to Portugal and settled in Almada in the 1970s. Tavares grew up in Lisbon and faced early family challenges, with her father leaving and her mother moving south with her siblings, leaving Sara in the care of an older woman. Tavares exhibited remarkable musical talent from a young age. In 1994, at just 16, she won the national television song contest “Chuva de Estrelas,” performing Whitney Houston’s “One Moment in Time.” That same year, she triumphed at the “Festival da Canção,” earning a spot in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. Her winning song, “Chamar a Música,” was included on her debut EP, “Sara Tavares & Shout” (1996), where she blended gospel and funk with Portuguese influences. Her debut album “Mi Ma Bô,” produced by Lokua Kanza, was released in 1999. In 2017, Tavares released the album “Fitxadu,”. It was inspired by Lisbon’s diverse African sounds and cultures, showcasing a more electronic and urban sound. The album earned a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Portuguese Language Roots Album. Tavares was multilingual, composing in Portuguese, Portuguese-based Creole languages, and occasionally English. Sara was known for singing the European-Portuguese version of “God Help the Outcasts” from the Disney movie “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,”. She won a Disney Award for the best version of the original song with it. She also won a Portuguese Golden Globe for Best Portuguese Singer in 2000. photo: Henryk Kotowski Tavares passed away on November 19, 2023, in Lisbon at the age of 45, after a long battle with a brain tumor diagnosed since 2009. Her death was a great shock in the Eurovision community. Chamar a Música “Chamar a Música,” the captivating song that Sara Tavares performed at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, showcases her exceptional talent as a young artist. At just 16 years old, Tavares brought this melodic and emotionally resonant piece to the Eurovision stage, representing Portugal with grace and artistry. The song is characterized by its smooth, soulful melody. It is blending elements of Portuguese musical tradition with contemporary influences. Although Tavares’ performance was well-received, it ultimately placed 8th in the competition. Despite this, “Chamar a Música” remains a significant part of her early career, reflecting her deep connection to her cultural roots.

🇵🇹 In memoriam: Sara Tavares

The sad news came to us that today, 19th November 2023, Portuguese singer Sara Tavares passed away. Sara represented Portugal in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Chamar a musica”. Sara Tavares was a multifaceted artist whose music blended her Cape Verdean roots with world music influences. She was born on February 1, 1978, in Lisbon, Portugal. Raised in a multilingual environment, her exposure to diverse cultures and musical traditions at an early age shaped her eclectic musical style. Sara’s talent was first recognized when she won two significant Portuguese music contests, including the televised Chuva de Estrelas, at the age of 16. This early success laid the foundation for her musical career. In the same year, she won Festival Da Canção, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. She reached an 8th place in the international final in Dublin, one of the higher scores for Portugal. Her debut album, “Sara Tavares & Shout,” released in 1996, showcased her unique blend of African, Portuguese, and world rhythms, establishing her as a promising new voice in world music. Tavares’ artistry is characterized by soulful melodies, rich harmonies, and a blend of languages, predominantly Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole, which she seamlessly weaves into her songs. Following her debut, Tavares took a brief hiatus to refine her sound and direction. She reemerged with “Mi Ma Bô” in 1999, an album that further solidified her unique musical identity, combining traditional African sounds with contemporary influences. Tavares’ renewed breakthrough came with her 2006 album “Balancê,” which earned critical acclaim and expanded her international audience. It showcased her matured songwriting and a deeper exploration of her African roots, featuring hits like “Bom Feeling” and “Balancê.” Her subsequent album, “Xinti,” released in 2009, continued this trajectory, delving deeper into the exploration of her identity and heritage. The album was a critical success, praised for its introspective lyrics and rich, multi-layered compositions. Beyond music, Tavares is known for her activism and advocacy for cultural diversity and inclusion. She has been a vocal advocate for the African diaspora’s culture, using her music as a bridge between different cultures and generations. Sara Tavares suffered of a brain tumor and passed away at age 45.

🇸🇪 RIP Lars Berghagen

Today the sad news came to us that Lars Berghagen passed away. Berghagen represented Sweden in the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Jennie Jennie”. Lars “Lasse” Nils Berghagen was born on May 13, 1945, in Enskede, Stockholm, Sweden. From a young age, he showed an inclination towards music and started his journey in the Swedish entertainment scene in the 1960s. Berghagen is known for his melodic and sometimes folk-influenced music. Over the years, he has released numerous albums and singles. Some of his most famous songs include “En kväll i juni”, “Sträck ut din hand”, and “Teddybjörnen Fredriksson”, which has become a beloved children’s song in Sweden. In 1969, he wrote one of the winning songs in Melodifestivalen, “Hej Clown!”. Unfortunately, singer Jan Malmsjö ended up in 2nd place after a revote. In 1973 (“Ding Dong”) and 1974 (“Min kärlekssång til dig”) he took part in Melodifestivalen as a singer. In 1975, Berghagen represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Jennie, Jennie”. Although he did not win, the experience added to his prominence in the European music scene. Beyond his music career, Berghagen is also recognized for his work on television. He hosted the popular Swedish television show “Allsång på Skansen” from 1994 to 2003. The show, which features sing-along segments with the audience, has been a staple of Swedish television for many years. He has also acted in several films and stage productions, showcasing his versatility as an entertainer. Lars Berghagen has been married several times, and his family has also been involved in the entertainment industry. His daughter, Malin Berghagen, is a well-known actress and yoga instructor in Sweden.

🇧🇪 Luc Smets (Dream Express) passed away

Today, the sad news came to us that Luc Smets, member of the group Dream Express, passed away. Luc Smets was born in Steendorp, Belgium, in 1947. When he was 19, he joined the band The Pebbles. He played the keyboard in the band. They had a couple of hits in Belgium, of which “Seven horses in the sky” and “Mackintosh” were the biggest. However, Smets had to leave the band. He started a new band, Shampoo. They started working with the Hearts Of Soul, a Dutch group. In the end, Luc joined the girls of the Hearts Of Soul, and together they started a new group: Dream Express. In 1977 they won the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “A million in 1, 2, 3”. Despite being among the favourites, the four reached a 7th place. In 1981, one of the girls left the group, the others continued under the name LBS. Smets also co-wrote the 1982 Eurovision song “Si tu aimes ma musique” for Stella. He also wrote numerous songs for Belgian national finals. Subsequently, Luc made significant contributions to the music industry as a composer, arranger, and producer. His talents graced children’s TV shows. In late 2002, he joined forces with some familiar faces, including Marcel De Cauwer, a former member of the Pebbles, to create the cover band “No Joke.” Luc was the go-to arranger and leader for the Strato-Vani orchestra, renowned for their fresh renditions of classic and popular tunes. Tragically, after battling an illness, Luc departed on August 20, 2023, at 76 years old.