mmm … eurovision … it celebrated 50 years of costume and aural genius on the weekend, and some crap foursome from Sweden came in at number one, but who cares coz the only real star there was Dana International, and I can’t believe it was in 1998 that she won…
Transsexual Dana, who back in 1998 performed the reprise with Jean-Paul Gaultier’s memorable feathers suit, took the stage in Copenhagen with a new Gaultier’s design named Spanish Bride. ‘Back in 1998 we wanted to win, so tried to be different but still not be outrageous’ said Dana in a press conference in Tel-Aviv today. ‘But, this time I don’t really care being more provocative’.
Israel’s Dana International takes back seat to ABBA in “Best of Eurovision”
Swedish pop group ABBA’s catchy “Waterloo” hit that won the European Song Contest 31 years ago has been voted the best song in the event’s history by viewers across the continent.
The European Song Contest celebrated 50 years of glamour, glitz and catchy pop tunes with a special jubilee show Saturday that lets viewers in 31 countries pick the best song in the popular event’s history.
The songs were performed by the original artists or by other performers. Viewers of the show broadcast live from the Danish capital cast their votes on the 14 entries by telephone, in the same way that the winner is selected in the regular Eurovision contest.
The two-hour show featured performances by British bands Brotherhood of Man and Bucks Fizz, Ireland’s Johnny Logan, and Israel’s Dana International.
Transsexual Dana, who back in 1998 performed the reprise with Jean-Paul Gaultier’s memorable feathers suit, took the stage in Copenhagen with a new Gaultier’s design named Spanish Bride. ‘Back in 1998 we wanted to win, so tried to be different but still not be outrageous’ said Dana in a press conference in Tel-Aviv today. ‘But, this time I don’t really care being more provocative’.
When asked wether she keeps in touch with Gali Atari, her fellow Israeli Eurovision winner who also is set to perform Saturday, Dana replied: ‘We are acquainted, not much more. We will probably meet in Copenhagen. I think I’ll give her a good sway to make her change her outfit….”
Before the show, Dana said she was convinced ABBA’s Waterloo would win, ‘But I wouldn’t mind being second to them. It will be a great honor to be a runner up to this legendary band’, she said. In the end, she was not even one of the five finalists.
The show, to be staged at a downtown Copenhagen concert and exhibition hall, has been titled “Congratulations,” after Cliff Richard’s second-placed song in the 1968 edition of the contest. Richard will not attend the event.
Each year millions of viewers across Europe and the Middle East watch the Eurovision contest, which was created in 1956 by the European Broadcasting Union.
The show is often derided as a showcase of kitsch and the winners often fade into obscurity — although it launched the career of supergroup Abba.
“Either you love or you love to hate it,” Mads Lebech, a Copenhagen mayor said on the eve of the anniversary event. “Anyhow, it’s great entertainment.”
