Johnny Logan sang What’s another year in 1980, and Hold me now in 1987.

Johnny was born in Frankston, Victoria, Australia in 1954. The family decided to return to Ireland when Sean Sherrard was only three years old. He was always musically inclined and when just into his teens had started composing songs. Like so many others he had a real job to supplement performing in clubs. He decided to change his name to Johnny Logan after seeing a film called Johnny Guitar, whose lead character was called just that.

His rise to fame started in 1980 when he sang the Shay Healy song What’s another year. It was a huge hit across Europe but that didn’t mean instant stardom. Far from that as various pieces of bad luck meant that the following three singles he released were unsuccessful. 1983 and 1986 saw a disappointing set of attempts to find his fame in the music market.

It took until 1987 when he entered the Irish final again and then to the stage in Brussels. His win made him part of Eurovision history, further enhanced by penning the 1992 Why me, sung by Linda Martin. Johnny has cemented his career, releasing numerous singles, performing in Musical Theatre and being a frequent guest on television programmes.

The Eurovision Song Contest 1980 was the twenty fifth edition of the show.

It was held in the Nederlands Congresgebouw, The Hague, which is another of the names for the venue which also held the 1976 contest. Israel had won the previous year but declined the offer to host again.

Nineteen countries participated this year, Israel withdrew as it was being held on their Day of Remembrance.

A new country joined the list of those taking part. Morocco’s one and only participation.  Samira Bensaid singing Bitiqat khub came a disappointing 18th, only one point in front of Finland’s Vesa-Matti Loiri and the song Huilumies (7 and 6 points).

Monaco did not take part and would not re-enter the contest until 2004. Ireland, Germany, United Kingdom and Switzerland all broke the 100 points barrier this year.

In the end the seven douze points brought the total to 143, securing the trophy for Johnny Logan. Second was Katja Ebstein’s Theater with 128. Nobody scored the dreaded nul points!

The Eurovision Song Contest 1987 was the thirty second edition of the show. The host venue was the Palais de Centenaire in Brussels and is situated in the Heysel Exhibition Park in the north area of the city centre. This is the only time that Belgium have hosted and was due to the win of Sandra Kim with J’aime la vie.

This was the largest edition so far with twenty two participants. No new countries took part but it saw the return of Greece and Italy.

The extra two countries helped the winning song attain a significant total.

In last position was Turkey with nul points but at the other end of the scoreboard Italy came third with 103 points for the  song Gente di mare sung by Umberto Tozzi & Raff. Second was the German group Wind with Lass die sonne in dein herz and 141 points. Winning was Johnny “Mr Eurovision” Logan singing Hold me now for a total of 172 points.

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Stay tuned to esctoday.com for Part 2 of our countdown to Eurovision’s Greatest Hits

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