The Eurovision Song Contest by Jim Liddane Beginnings The Eurovision Song Contest started as an attempt by the European Broadcasting Union, to duplicate throughout Europe, the success of the Italian San Remo Song Festival. Credit for the concept is generally given to Marcel Bezençon, the director general of Swiss television. At a meeting OF the EBU in Monaco in January 1955, it was decided that the first contest would be staged in Lugano, Switzerland, in May 1956, and would be broadcast live on radio only, although cameras were invited to film sections of the contest for use on news broadcasts in EBU member countries. The first contest comprised entries from just seven countries - Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Switzerland. In 1957, three more countries - Austria, Denmark and the United Kingdom - joined, followed by Sweden (1958), Monaco (1959), Norway (1960), Finland, Spain and Yugoslavia (1961), Portugal (1964) and Ireland (1965). Since 1956, every European country, with the exception of Vatican City, has participated in at least one Eurovision Song Contest and it is now one of the most-watched events in the world. The Eurovision Song Contest 1956-1959 Lys Assia 1956 Eurovision Song Contest 1956 • The first Eurovision Song Contest, and the only Eurovision to be transmitted on radio but not shown simultaneously on television. • However,as a number of TV news outlets expressed interest in reporting the result, cameras were allowed to film parts of the show. • As a consequence, a number of films of the radio broadcast as it was being recorded, do exist, and have since surfaced on YouTube. • As only seven countries participated, it was decided that each country would enter two songs - the only occasion on which this happened. • The UK expressed a wish to take part, but its national selection contest took place too late for its entry to be included. • No details of the voting were revealed for the 1956 contest, but is widely believed that Germany and Belgium shared second and third places. • The winning singer, Lys Assia, was a Swiss national, who performed in both the German and Swiss national finals. • Venue Teatro Kursaal, Lugano, Switzerland • Date Of Grand Final 24 May 1956 • Number Of Countries Participating 7 • Winning Song Das Alte Karussell (Refrain) • Writers Géo Voumard: Emile Gardaz • Performed By Lys Assia, representing Switzerland • Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyqIPvOkiRk Corry Brokken 1957 Eurovision Song Contest 1957 • The second Eurovision Song Contest, and although shown simultaneously on TV in some countries, most people heard the contest on radio. • Although the 1956 winning nation had actually been Switzerland, the 1957 contest was held in West Germany, which had come 2nd in 1956. • Austria, the United Kingdom and Denmark made their debut at a Eurovision Song Contest, while no country appearing in 1956, withdrew. • The United Kingdom's entry, "All" was written by Reynell Wreford and Alan Stranks, and was performed by film actress Patricia Bredin. • The UK song clocked in at just one minute fifty-two seconds, making it not only the shortest Eurovision entry of 1957, but of all time. • France came second, the Denmark came third, and Italy, whose song lasted more than five minutes, came in seventh. • Venue Großer Sendesaal des hessischen Rundfunks, Frankfurt, West Germany • Date Of Grand Final 3 March 1957 • Number Of Countries Participating 10 • Winning Song "Net Als Toen" • Writers Guus Jansen: Willy van Hemert • Performed By Corry Brokken, representing The Netherlands • Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_p4K4fSl84 Andre Claveau 1958 Eurovision Song Contest 1958 • The third Eurovision Song Contest, was held in Hilversum, in The Netherlands, the country which had won the contest in 1957. • The number of countries entering remained at 10, because although the United Kingdom withdrew, Sweden entered for the first time. • One of the most successful Eurovision songs of all time, "Volare", came in third, but went on the top the US charts later that year. • One possible reason why "Volare" failed to win, was due to a breakdown in transmission, which meant that not all of the juries heard it. • Venue AVRO Studios, Hilversum, Netherlands • Date Of Grand Final 12 March 1958 • Number Of Countries Participating 10 • Winning Song "Dors, Mon Amour" • Writers Hubert Giraud: Pierre Delanoë • Performed By André Claveau, representing France • Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r1SRKxptbk&feature=related Teddy Scholten 1959 Eurovision Song Contest 1959 • The fourth Eurovision Song Contest was held in Cannes, France, the country which had won the Eurovision in 1958. • Luxembourg withdrew in 1959, but with the return of the United Kingdom, and the arrival of Monaco, there were eleven entrants. • The UK entry was "Sing Little Birdie", performed by Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson, and written by Syd Cordell & Stan Butcher. • "Sing Little Birdie" became the first UK Eurivision entry to be commercially released in the UK, reaching Number 12 on the charts. • For the second year, the Italian entry, "Ciao, Ciao Bambina" by Domenico Modugno, ended up outselling all the other finalists. • Venue Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, Cannes, France • Date Of Grand Final 11 March 1959 • Number Of Countries Participating 11 • Winning Song "Een Beetje" • Writers Dick Schallies: Willy van Hemert • Performed By Teddy Scholten, representing The Netherlands • Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxdHYVYtkbM ISA • International Songwriters Association (1967) Ltd PO Box 46 • Limerick City • Ireland • Tel 061-228837 • Fax 061-2288379 ISA Website  http://www.songwriter.co.uk • Editorial E-Mail  jliddane@songwriter.iol.ie International Songwriters Association Limited Registered In Dublin, Ireland • Company Number 38917 Registered Address • High Chaperal, Raheen Heights, Limerick City, Ireland Postal Address • PO Box 46, Limerick City, Ireland