Eurovision Song Contest's Greatest Hits

Eurovision Song Contest's Greatest Hits
Dates
Final date 31 March 2015
Host
Venue Eventim Apollo, London, United Kingdom
Presenter(s)
Conductor David Arch
Director Geoff Posner
Executive supervisor Jon Ola Sand
Executive producer
  • Guy Freeman
  • Simon Proctor
Host broadcaster EBU, BBC
Interval act Riverdance
Reprise act All of the acts (except Loreen) performed a medley of Eurovision hits, including "Hallelujah", "Nel blu dipinto di blu", "Making Your Mind Up", and "Waterloo".
Participants
Number of entries 15

Eurovision Song Contest's Greatest Hits (also known as Eurovision's Greatest Hits) is a pre-recorded concert programme organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to commemorate the Eurovision Song Contest's sixtieth anniversary. Several countries confirmed that they will air the delayed broadcast of the concert on various dates that suited the broadcasters scheduling, including Australia, who are competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 as a wildcard entry. The host broadcaster, BBC, and Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), aired the show on Good Friday, 3 April 2015. The Dutch broadcaster, AVROTROS, were the first to announce their decision to not broadcast the event. Other countries also announced their decision to decline broadcasting the event, including Luxembourg, who had an act taking part in the event.

The anniversary concert took place on 31 March 2015 at the Eventim Apollo, in Hammersmith, London. Graham Norton and Petra Mede hosted the event, which saw fifteen acts from thirteen countries performing their Eurovision entries from yesteryear. Guy Freeman was the Executive Producer and Simon Proctor was the Senior Producer. Geoff Posner was the director and David Arch was the musical director for the concert. Tickets for the event went on sale on 6 February 2015.

Location

For more details on the host city, see London.
The Eventim Apollo, London

Confirmation was revealed on 3 February 2015 that the concert event were to take place in the Eventim Apollo, in Hammersmith, London.[1] The last time the United Kingdom capital held any Eurovision events was the Eurovision Dance Contest 2007.[2]

Format

Organisation

It was announced on 22 October 2014, that the EBU had agreed with the United Kingdom's broadcaster, BBC, to produce a special anniversary show to celebrate sixty-years of the Eurovision Song Contest; similar to the show Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place in 2005. At that time, the details regarding the title of the show were unknown.[3][4] The EBU later issued the following statement regarding the 60th anniversary: "There are various exciting proposals from Member Broadcasters on the table to celebrate the 60th anniversary beyond the contest in May, which are currently in the final stages of being evaluated. A decision is expected shortly, so stay tuned!".[5] Executive Producer of the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest, Edgar Böhm, said in an interview that the BBC had been chosen to host a special anniversary show.[6] Guy Freeman was appointed as Executive Producer for the event, assisted by Senior Producer Simon Proctor and Producer Helen Riddell, whilst the director will be Geoff Posner.[1]

Presenters

Graham Norton and Petra Mede, hosts of the Eurovision Song Contest's Greatest Hits.

On 3 February 2015 it was announced that Graham Norton and Petra Mede would co-host the concert show.[7] Norton, co-hosted the Eurovision Dance Contest with Claudia Winkleman in 2007 and 2008,[8] and is also the current Eurovision commentator for the United Kingdom.[9] Mede was the host for Melodifestivalen 2009 (Swedish national selection show),[10] as well as host for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013.[11]

Tickets

Tickets for the anniversary concert went on sale from 10:15am (GMT) on Friday 6 February 2015 via the BBC's Eurovision website and the official Eurovision Song Contest's website.[12]

The show

The concert was recorded live on 31 March 2015, at the Eventim Apollo, London; allowing participating broadcasters the freedom to air the programme on a date and channel that was convenient for their broadcasting schedules.[13] Fifteen artists, representing thirteen countries, consisting of some of Eurovision's greatest hits, took part in the sixtieth anniversary gala event.[14] The first-ever winner of the Contest (in 1956), Lys Assia, appeared in the audience as a guest of honour.[15] During the broadcast, video montages were shown prior to each entry, showing footage for that particular year's contest, ending with Eurovision Song Contest footage for the entry that was about to perform on stage. Recap montages of Eurovision entries over the last sixty years, were also broadcast in-between performances. These were as follows:[15]

  1. Teach-In – "Ding-a-dong": Netherlands, 1975
  2. Olivia Newton-John – "Long Live Love": United Kingdom, 1974
  3. Céline Dion – "Ne partez pas sans moi": Switzerland, 1988
  4. Jedward – "Lipstick": Ireland, 2011
  5. ABBA – "Waterloo": Sweden, 1974
  6. Serebro – "Song #1": Russia, 2007
  7. Izhar Cohen & the Alphabeta – "A-Ba-Ni-Bi": Israel, 1978
  8. Kathy Kirby – "I Belong": United Kingdom, 1965
  9. Bucks Fizz – "Making Your Mind Up": United Kingdom, 1981
  10. Sonia – "Better the Devil You Know": United Kingdom, 1993
  11. Imaani – "Where Are You?": United Kingdom, 1998
  12. Lynsey de Paul & Mike Moran – "Rock Bottom": United Kingdom, 1977
  13. Michael Ball – "One Step Out of Time": United Kingdom, 1992
  14. Cliff Richard – "Congratulations": United Kingdom, 1968
  15. Sandie Shaw – "Puppet on a String": United Kingdom, 1967
  16. Dana – "All Kinds of Everything": Ireland, 1970

Interval act

Further information: Riverdance

It was confirmed on 22 March 2015 that the interval act for Eurovision Song Contest's Greatest Hits would be Riverdance.[16] The theatrical show consisting mainly of traditional Irish music and dance, and featured Irish dancing champions Jean Butler and Michael Flatley, with a score composed by Limerick native Bill Whelan, originated as an interval performance during the Eurovision Song Contest 1994.[17][18]

Participating countries

Fifteen Eurovision acts from thirteen countries participated in the anniversary concert.[14] Although there were originally fourteen acts confirmed by the BBC, it was later announced on 5 March 2015 that Norway's Bobbysocks would join the line-up increasing the total to fifteen.[19] Video montages were shown prior to each entry, showing footage for that particular year's contest, ending with Eurovision Song Contest footage for the entry that was about to perform on stage.[15]

Draw Year[20] Country[20] Language Artist[20] Song[20] English translation
01 2013  Denmark English Emmelie de Forest "Only Teardrops" —
02 1973  Luxembourg French, English Anne-Marie David "Tu te reconnaîtras" You will recognise yourself
03 1984  Sweden English, Swedish Herreys "Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley" —
04 1998  Israel Hebrew Dana International "Diva" —
05 2000  Denmark English Olsen Brothers "Fly on the Wings of Love" —
06 1976  United Kingdom English Brotherhood of Man "Save Your Kisses For Me" —
07 1968  Spain1 Spanish Rosa López "La, la, la"2 —
1969 "Vivo cantando"3 I live singing
1973 "Eres tú"4 It's you
2002 Spanish, English "Europe's Living a Celebration" —
08 1982  Germany English, Italian, German Nicole "Ein bißchen Frieden" A little peace
09 2006  Finland English Lordi "Hard Rock Hallelujah" —
10 2001  France French, English Natasha St-Pier "Je n'ai que mon âme" All I have is my soul
11 2008  Russia1 English Dima Bilan "Believe" —
2006 "Never Let You Go —
12 1985  Norway Norwegian, English Bobbysocks! "La det swinge" Let it swing
13 2012  Sweden English Loreen "Euphoria" —
14 1980  Ireland1 English Johnny Logan "What's Another Year" —
1992 "Why Me?"5 —
1987 "Hold Me Now" —
15 2014  Austria English Conchita Wurst "Rise Like a Phoenix" —
1.^ Entries performed as a medley.
2.^ Winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 1968, originally performed by Massiel.
3.^ One of the winning songs of the Eurovision Song Contest 1969 (along with France, Netherlands, and United Kingdom), and originally performed by Salomé.
4.^ Originally performed by Mocedades, finishing in 2nd place at the Eurovision Song Contest 1973.
5.^ Johnny Logan wrote the song "Why Me?", which won the Eurovision Song Contest 1992, originally performed by Linda Martin.

Reprise performance

A medley of some of the Eurovision Song Contest's greatest hits were performed in English by all of the participating artists, as a reprise act at the close of the show, including: Anne-Marie David singing Israel's winning entry of the Eurovision Song Contest 1979, "Hallelujah". Swedish trio, Herreys, sang "Nel blu dipinto di blu", which finished in third place at the 1958 Eurovision for Italy's Domenico Modugno. Bucks Fizz's "Making Your Mind Up", the winning entry for United Kingdom in 1981, was performed by Bobbysocks. The reprise concluded with all of the remaining performers (except Loreen) joining on stage to sing ABBA's Eurovision Song Contest 1974 winning entry, "Waterloo".[15]

International broadcasting

As the anniversary concert show was not broadcast live, the participating national broadcasters were able to broadcast the show on a date and channel that was convenient for their broadcasting schedules.[13]

Commentators

The following countries, listed in order of broadcasting dates, have confirmed that they will broadcast the anniversary show.[14]

Declined broadcasting

The following list of countries have stated that they will not broadcast the anniversary show.

Broadcasting unknown

The following list of countries, who are members of the EBU have not announced their plans on whether to broadcast the show.[14]

  •  Algeria
  •  Andorra
  •  Azerbaijan
  •  Belarus
  •  Bosnia and Herzegovina
  •  Croatia
  •  Cyprus
  •  Egypt
  •  Georgia
  •  Hungary
  •  Italy
  •  Jordan
  •  Lebanon
  •  Libya
  •  Lithuania
  •  Malta
  •  Moldova
  •  Monaco
  •  Montenegro
  •  Morocco
  •  Poland
  •  Slovakia
  •  Tunisia
  •  Turkey
  •   Vatican City

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Roxburgh, Gordon (3 February 2015). "Official: London to host Eurovision's 60th Anniversary Event". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  2. ↑ BBC Press Office (13 April 2007). "Taking the floor – Eurovision Dance Contest". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  3. ↑ Jiandani, Sanjay (3 February 2015). "United Kingdom: BBC will host Eurovision’s Greatest Hits Show in March". esctoday.com. ESCToday. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  4. ↑ Granger, Anthony (22 October 2014). "ESC’15: 60th Anniversary Showed To Be BBC Produced". eurovoix.com. Eurovoix. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  5. ↑ Jiandani, Sanjay (23 October 2014). "United Kingdom: BBC to produce 60th Anniversary Eurovision show?". Esctoday.com. Esctoday.com. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  6. ↑ Weaver, Jessica (30 January 2015). "United Kingdom: BBC confirmed as 60th anniversary show host?". esctoday.com. ESCToday. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  7. ↑ Martinsson, Anders. "Petra Mede aktuell för Eurovision-jubileum" [Petra Mede current Eurovision anniversary]. Göteborgs-Posten.se (in Swedish). Göteborgs-Posten.se. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  8. ↑ BBC Programming (6 September 2008). "Eurovision Dance Contest 2008". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  9. ↑ BBC Press Office (5 December 2008). "Eurovision: Norton to replace Wogan". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  10. ↑ Nylén, Susanne; Nikalsson, Ylva (8 February 2009). "Petra Mede fick ledas av scenen" [Petra Mede had to be led off the stage]. aftonbladet.se (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  11. ↑ Siim, Jarmo (28 January 2013). "Petra Mede to host Eurovision 2013". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  12. ↑ Jiandani, Sanjay (5 February 2015). "United Kingdom: 4 more Eurovision acts join the party!". esctoday.com. ESCToday. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Eurovision's Greatest Hits - Ticket FAQ". bbc.co.uk. BBC. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015. When will the show be broadcast in the UK / my country?
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Storvik-Green, Simon (31 March 2015). "Tonight: Recording of Eurovision's Greatest Hits". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Norton, Graham; Mede, Petra (3 April 2015). "Eurovision Song Contest's Greatest Hits". Eurovision Song Contest. British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC One. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  16. ↑ Granger, Anthony (22 March 2015). "Eurovision’s Greatest Hits: Riverdance to perform". eurovoix.com. Eurovoix. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  17. ↑ "Riverdance unveiled". rte.ie. RTE. 30 April 1994. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  18. ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 1994". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  19. ↑ Granger, Anthony (5 March 2015). "ESC’s Greatest Hits: Bobbysocks to perform". eurovoix.com. Eurovoix. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Freeman, Guy. "Eurovision's Greatest Hits - full line-up revealed!" (6 FEBRUARY 2015). bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  21. ↑ "VRT viert 60e verjaardag Songfestival op 4 aprils". deredactie.be. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  22. ↑ "Latvia: To Broadcast Eurovision’s Greatest Hits". http://eurovoix.com/. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  23. ↑ "Julia Varela acompañará a José María Íñigo como comentarista de TVE para Eurovisión 2015" (in Spanish). RTVE.es. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Germany: Will Broadcast Eurovision’s Greatest Hits". http://eurovoix.com/. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Jubiläums-Show: "Eurovision's Greatest Hits" im TV". http://www.eurovision.de/. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  26. ↑ Granger, Anthony (5 February 2015). "Armenia: will not broadcast 60th anniversary show". eurovoix.com. Eurovoix. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  27. ↑ "Czech Republic: Will Not Broadcast Eurovision’s Greatest Hits". 5 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  28. ↑ Granger, Anthony (4 February 2015). "Luxembourg: will not broadcast 60th anniversary show". eurovoix.com. Eurovoix. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  29. ↑ Błażewicz, Maciej (5 February 2015). "MKRTV will not broadcast "Eurovision’s Greatest Hits"". escbubble.com. ESC Bubble. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  30. ↑ Granger, Anthony (23 October 2014). "The Netherlands: Will Not Broadcast 60th Anniversary Show". eurovoix.com. Eurovoix. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  31. ↑ Granger, Anthony (4 February 2015). "Ukraine: NTU will not broadcast "Eurovision’s Greatest Hits"". eurovoix.com. Eurovoix. Retrieved 4 February 2015.

External links