History of the Eurovision Song Contest

The history of the Eurovision Song Contest began with an idea of Sergio Pugliese, of the Italian television RAI, and then approved
by Marcel Bezençon of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The contest was based on the Italian Sanremo Music Festival and
was designed to test the limits oflive television broadcast technology.

The first contest took place on 24 May 1956,[1] where seven nations participated. As the Contest progressed, the rules grew
increasingly complex and participation levels rose to pass forty nations at the end of the 20th century. As more countries came on
board over subsequent decades and technology advanced, the EBU attempted to keep up with national and international trends.

The end of the Cold War in the early 1990s led to a sudden increase in numbers, with many former Eastern Bloc countries queuing up
to compete for the first time. This process continued into the2005 contest, in which both Bulgaria and Moldova made their debut.

Liechtenstein, Vatican City and Kosovo are the only European countries not to have participated; the most recent major European
country to take part was the Czech Republic, which made its debut in the 2007 contest. San Marino took part in the 2008 Eurovision
Song Contest in Belgrade, Serbia, together with Azerbaijan.

Australia made their debut in the 2015 contest and became the first country from the Oceania region (and the second country outside
Eurasia overall after Morocco in 1980) to participate in the contest. Although their participation was originally announced as a one-off
event, the country was subsequently invited to participate in the 2016 contest.

Contents
Competition history
The songs
Competitors
See also
References
External links

Competition history

London. Royal Albert Hall, venue

of 1968 contest.
Jerusalem. International
Convention Centre, venue of
1979 and 1999 contests.

Oslo. Oslo Spektrum, venue of

1996 contest.

Stockholm. Globen Arena,

venue of 2000 and 2016 contest.

Belgrade. Belgrade Arena, venue

of 2008 contest.
Malmö. Malmö Arena, venue of
2013 contest.
 Finals
Edition Year Broadcaster Venue City Countries Winner
date

24
1st
May
1956 SSR Teatro Kursaal Lugano 7[2]
Switzerland

3 Großer
2nd 1957 ARD
March Sendesaal Frankfurt Netherlands
10
12 France
3rd 1958 NTS AVRO Studio
March Hilversum

11 Palais des Cannes

4th 1959 RTF 11
March Festivals Netherlands
25 Royal Festival France
5th 1960 BBC London 13
March Hall

Palais des Cannes

6th 1961 RTF
18 Festivals Luxembourg
March
7th 1962 CLT Villa Louvigny France
Luxembourg
16
23 BBC Television Denmark
8th 1963 BBC London
March Centre

21 Tivoli Concert Italy

9th 1964 DR
March Hall Copenhagen

20 RAI Television Naples

10th 1965 RAI
March Centre Luxembourg
18
5 Austria
11th 1966 CLT Villa Louvigny
March Luxembourg
8 Hofburg Imperial United
12th 1967 ORF Vienna
April Palace Kingdom
17
6 Royal Albert Spain
13th 1968 BBC London
April Hall
France

29 Netherlands
14th 1969 TVE Teatro Real Madrid 16
March Spain
United
Kingdom

21 RAI
15th 1970 NOS 12 Ireland
March Congrescentrum Amsterdam
3 Monaco
16th 1971 RTÉ Gaiety Theatre Dublin
April
18
25
17th 1972 BBC Usher Hall
March Edinburgh
Nouveau 17 Luxembourg
7
18th 1973 CLT Théâtre
April Luxembourg
Luxembourg
19th 6 1974 BBC Brighton Dome Sweden
April Brighton
 Stockholm
22
20th 1975 SR International 19
March Stockholm Netherlands
Fairs

3 The United
21st 1976 NOS Congresgebouw
April Hague Kingdom
18
Wembley
22nd 7 May 1977 BBC Conference London France
Centre
22 Palais des Paris
23rd 1978 TF1 20
April Congrès
Israel
International
31
24th 1979 IBA Convention
March Jerusalem
Centre 19
19 The
25th 1980 NOS Congresgebouw Ireland
April Hague
4 Royal Dublin United
26th 1981 RTÉ Dublin 20
April Society Kingdom
Harrogate
24
27th 1982 BBC International 18
April Harrogate Germany
Centre

23 Rudi Sedlmayer Munich

28th 1983 ARD 20
April Halle Luxembourg

Théâtre Sweden
29th 5 May 1984 CLT
Municipal Luxembourg
19
30th 4 May 1985 SVT Scandinavium Norway
Gothenburg

31st 3 May 1986 NRK Grieg Hall Bergen 20 Belgium

Centenary
32nd 9 May 1987 RTBF 22 Ireland
Palace Brussels

30 Royal Dublin
33rd 1988 RTÉ Dublin 21
April Society Switzerland

Palais de
34th 6 May 1989 SSR
Beaulieu Lausanne Yugoslavia

Vatroslav
35th 5 May 1990 JRT Lisinski Concert Zagreb 22 Italy
Hall
Studio 15 di Rome Sweden
36th 4 May 1991 RAI
Cinecittà

37th 9 May 1992 SVT Malmömässan Malmö 23

15 RTÉ Green Glens

38th 1993 Ireland
May Arena Millstreet
25
30 Point Depot Dublin
39th 1994
April
40th 13 1995 23 Norway
 May
18 Oslo
41st 1996 NRK Oslo Spektrum Ireland
May
United
42nd 3 May 1997 RTÉ Point Depot Dublin
Kingdom
25
National Indoor
43rd 9 May 1998 BBC Israel
Arena Birmingham
International
29
44th 1999 IBA Convention 23 Sweden
May Jerusalem
Centre

13 Denmark
45th 2000 SVT Globen Arena 24
May Stockholm

12 Estonia
46th 2001 DR Parken Stadium 23
May Copenhagen
25 Tallinn
47th 2002 ETV Saku Suurhall 24 Latvia
May
24 Turkey
48th 2003 LTV Skonto Hall Riga 26
May
15 Abdi İpekçi Istanbul Ukraine
49th 2004 TRT 36
May Arena
21 Kiev Sports Kiev Greece
50th 2005 NTU 39
May Palace
20 Olympic Indoor Athens Finland
51st 2006 ERT 37
May Hall
12 Helsinki Serbia
52nd 2007 YLE Hartwall Arena 42
May

24 Russia
53rd 2008 RTS Belgrade Arena 43
May Belgrade
16 Olimpiyskiy Moscow Norway
54th 2009 C1R 42
May Arena

29 Oslo
55th 2010 NRK Telenor Arena 39
May Germany

14 Düsseldorf
56th 2011 NDR 43
May Arena Düsseldorf Azerbaijan

26 Baku Crystal Sweden

57th 2012 İTV Baku 42
May Hall
18 Malmö Denmark
58th 2013 SVT Malmö Arena 39
May

10 Austria
59th 2014 DR B&W Halls 37
May Copenhagen
23 Wiener Vienna Sweden
60th 2015 ORF 40
May Stadthalle

14 42
61st 2016 SVT Globen Arena Ukraine
May Stockholm
 62nd 13 2017 UA:PBC International Kiev Portugal
May Exhibition
Centre
12 Lisbon
63rd 2018 RTP Altice Arena 43
May

The songs
The earliest period in the Eurovision history is marked by the style of songs which participated and the manner in which the show
itself was presented. Famous musical and film stars would participate without prejudice, with Italian winners of the Sanremo Festival
and such British names as Patricia Bredin and Bryan Johnson. With a live orchestra the norm in the early years, and simple sing-a-
long songs on every radio station, the Contest grew into a favourite amongst almost all age groups across the continent. Iconic songs
such as "Volare" and Serge Gainsbourg's "Poupée de cire, poupée de son" hit the sales charts in many countries after their Eurovision
performance.

In the beginning, it was obvious for the participants that they should sing in their country's national language. However, as the
Swedish entry in 1965, "Absent Friend" was sung in English, the EBU set very strict rules on the language in which the songs could
be performed. National languages had to be used in all lyrics, including Maltese when the island nation made its debut. Songwriters
across Europe soon tagged onto the notion that success would only come if the judges could understand the content, resulting in such
entries as "Boom-Bang-A-Bang" and "La La La". The lyrics were allowed to contain occasional phrases in other languages, which
was utilized for example by the Yugoslavian song in 1969. In 1973, the rules on language use was relaxed, and in the following year
ABBA would win with "Waterloo".

Those "freedom of language" rules would be soon reversed in 1977, to return with apparent permanent status in the 1999 contest, with
the intervening years waning from highlights to dead-weight years. The "swinging sixties" and punk scenes were all but missed by the
contemporary Eurovision periods, whilst the 1980s saw an increase in balladry with an almost blanket disregard for electronica or
guitar-based pop. Other than heavily infused popversions, rap has been next to completely ignored.

One result of the attempt to modernise the songs in the Contest was the abolition of the obligatory use of the live orchestra, to which
all songs had to perform. This decision was made in 1997 and removed the automatic requirement for songs to be re-composed for
playback with a live orchestra. As of 1999, the host country hasn't been obliged to provide a live orchestra, and there hasn't been one
since. No attempt has been made to return the Contest to the days of live bands and violins. Live music is not allowed. This rule most
likely exists because there isn't enough time to wire the instruments during the short break between the songs. On the other hand, a
backing tape may have no voices on it, singing still must be done live. Before 1997 backing tracks were allowed, but only if all
instruments on tape were featured on stage. This explains the odd situation in 1996, when Gina G, entrant for the United Kingdom,
had two computer screens on stage.

Other than the earliest contests, each and every entry has been fixed at a maximum three minutes in length.

Competitors
Previous performers at the Eurovision Song Contest include:

ABBA Dima Bilan

Anggun Blue
Amina Annabi Goran Bregović (as an interlude act)
Antique Boyzone (as an interlude act)
Apocalyptica (as an interlude act) Brotherhood of Man
Aqua (as an interlude act) Carola
Arash Cascada
Soraya Arnelas Cirque du Soleil (as an interlude act)
Baccara Gigliola Cinquetti
Al Bano & Romina Power David Civera
 Mélanie Cohl Dino Merlin
Zdravko Čolić Lena Meyer-Landrut
Toto Cutugno Mocedades
Mihai Trăistariu Domenico Modugno
Sergio Dalma Azucar Moreno
Dana International Nana Mouskouri
Anne-Marie David Marie Myriam
Céline Dion New Seekers
Kenan Doğulu Olivia Newton-John
DJ BoBo Noa
Dschinghis Khan No Angels
Sertab Erener Paul Oscar
Lara Fabian Olsen Brothers
Gina G Anna Oxa
Edyta Górniak Helena Paparizou
Karel Gott Ajda Pekkan
Hadise Charlotte Perrelli
Mary Hopkin Evgeni Plushenko (as part of performance)
Engelbert Humperdinck Dulce Pontes
Fuerzabruta (as an interlude act) Toše Proeski
Hothouse Flowers (as an interlude act) Alla Pugacheva
Jamala Esma Redžepova
Julio Iglesias Sir Cliff Richard
Jedward Riverdance (as an interlude act)
Željko Joksimović Sakis Rouvas
Anna Maria Jopek Ruslana
Udo Jürgens Kate Ryan
Kalomira Alexander Rybak
Patricia Kaas Natasha St-Pier
Paula Seling Sandie Shaw
Ovi The Shadows
Katrina and the Waves Kseniya Simonova (as part of performance)
Las Ketchup Salvador Sobral
Luminița Anghel Pastora Soler
Vicky Leandros t.A.T.u.
Johnny Logan Teach-In
Rosa López Sébastien Tellier
Ani Lorak Justin Timberlake (as a interlude act)
Lordi Bonnie Tyler
Lulu Vanilla Ninja
Shiri Maimon Anna Vissi
maNga Dita Von Teese (as part of performance)
Marco Mengoni Conchita Wurst
Jessica Mauboy (as an interlude act) Måns Zelmerlöw

See also
European music

References
1. "Eurovision – History" (http://www.eurovision.tv/page/dusseldorf-2011/history). Eurovision. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
2. 7 countries performed 2 songs each
External links
History by Year
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story
Sing Your Heart Out, Europe: The EurovisionSong Contest

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