ITALIAN EUROSTARS AND SANREMO 5: RICCHI E POVERI

Ricchi e Poveri counts 12 participations in Sanremo between 1970 and 1992, and represented Italy in the Eurovision song contest 1978 with one of this blogger's favorites, Questo amore. It didn't go that well home with the European jurors (12th) but in the 1980's they scored several hits in Europe and selling millions of records. In the 2000's they enjoy fame and success in Russia and the region. Originally they were a quartet Angela, Angelo, Franco and Marina, but when apparently Marina was getting a bit too close to Angela's hubby she was sacked and the trio went on without her and do so even today, after 46 years (and even more if you count the years before adopting this name and first success).

Their biggest hit no doubt is Sará perche ti amo, that failed to win Sanremo but was a worldwide hit also in Spanish version by them selling over 7 million copies, and counts dozens of cover versions in various languages. What if Italy had sent that to Eurovision in 1981 when they didn't participate? Also in 1985 when they won Sanremo Italy didn't participate but their Se m'innamoro would have been an awesome entry! Other hits include Mamma Maria, Piccolo amore, Come vorrei, Voulez vous dancer and Ciao Italy, ciao amore. Their latest single is Perdutamente amore.

The trio returned to recording studio in 2012 and released their 18th album after 14 years break including some new songs and new versions of their biggest hits. Meanwhile they have been touring the globe with success performing their classics. In 2013 they were invited back to Sanremo to receive an award for the career, but they had to cancel - Franco's 22-year-old son was found dead the night before.

Here ae their Sanremo songs: 1970 La prima cosa bella (2.), 1971 Che sará (2.), 1972 Un diadema di ciliegie (11.), 1973 Dolce frutto (4.), 1976 Due storie di musicanti (13.), 1981 Sará perche ti amo (4.), 1985 Se m'innamoro (winner), 1987 Canzone d'amore (7.), 1988 Nascerá Gesú (9.), 1989 Chi voglio sei tu (8.), 1990 Buona giornata (finalist), 1992 Cosi lontani (non finalist)

This blogger has always a special place for this group in his heart; thanks to them I started learning Italian!

Franco Gatti, the Moustache, turns 71 today, happy birthday! Auguri!

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Sabina Babayeva for Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani selection show for the represant was as long as the selection process for the five finalists. Kurt Calleja from Malta and Can Bonomo from Turkey were present with Ell/Nikki to see Sabina Babayeva to emerge as the winner after each and every finalist had done about zillion songs amongst other guests. Now the Azeri TV will shop around a suitable song for her.

SONGS OF THE YEAR 2015: #5 KRISTA SIEGFRIDS - ON & OFF

Krista Siegfrids is delivering nice pop tunes one after another and this one is particularly catchy and soon you will be singing along..... Hopefully her Melodifestivalen entry will be equally good!

ESC 2015 NORWAY: LISTEN TO THE FINALISTS

The Norwegian entries are now and there to listen, or here . This time Norway has only one off final with 11 songs and a live orchestra, so it will be interesting to hear how these songs will turn out as most are rather modern sounding and not so Eurovisionesque midtempo numbers. There could have been also only ten if they had dropped that joke entry from the line up. The old veterans Elisabeth and Tor have nothing to be ashamed among this lot. To be honest I didn't get excited by any of these really... Something is wrong in my books if a classic schlager like Heaven sounds almost the best... What's wrong Norway?

ESC 2016 WISH LIST: MARGARET FOR POLAND

Małgorzata Jamroży aka Margaret has also been tipped for Eurovision and apparently she did turn it down but she'd be perfect. She's got a look and persona you can't unnotice nor forget, she's got hit songs, she has been voted or nominated for everything from Trendy artist to the Hope of the Year, Fashion Icon and Glamour Woman of the year besides the usual best video, song, album, debut..... Oh she's also a fashion designer! She's very clever with social medias and would surely use it to her advantage if selected for Stockholm 2016. Her debut album is titled Add the blonde , do we need to say more? Except it includes mostly Swedish written pop tunes like Tell me how are ya , Wasted , Start a fire and Heartbeat . And of course her debut single and internationally noticed Thank you very much that you can enjoy below with all its anti-textil feel. I think she's Eurovision perfection, she's cheeky and fun, can we have her?

FINLAND: LORDI RELEASES SEXORCISM - THEIR 9TH STUDIO ALBUM

Brand new studio album SEXORCISM is released tomorrow, 12 years and 5 days after their monstreous victory in Athens 2006 Eurovision song contest. It is quite possibly the most controversial Lordi album yet and already their 9th stuido album (plus three compilations and one Ep)

THE ABBA REUNION 2016 - WATCH THEM SING TOGETHER AGAIN

The 2016 Eurovision song contest organizers didn't manage it - or any of the previous ones either nor those offering them millions of dollars - but they seem to get together for birthdays, the way the old friends do. Back in 1999 they performed together in a private party for Görel Hansel's 50th birthday, and now to celebrate the first meeting of Björn and Benny 50 years ago. Venue was Stockholm's Bern's Salonger and once again in a private setting but today even they can't stop the cell phone videos and social medias. Enjoy the magic of Frida's and Agnetha's voices again.

GOODBYE, FAREWELL...

The time has come. After all these years, 5,7 million visits, 12.000 articles I guess the time has come. As much as I love and care for Eurovision it just doesn't feel the same. The Corona years took their toll and the past two years and certain decisions have helped me to mature the idea that next year I will hear the songs for the first time in semi-final just like any so called local. The bubble has burst. Add the toxicity in social medias and fandom. The arrogant teenagers who saw their first contest somewhere 2017 or even 2021 who think they know it all and only their opinion matters. Did I mention the toxic atmosphere on social medias? I'm too old for that sh*t. It's been a long ride that took me to various Eurovision on spot as a fan and tourist, as a journalist, as a delegation member. I met some great people, made memories of lifetime. In stressful, sad periods of my life this blog has been my safe place, a place to escape and forget everything else for an hour o...

ESC 2016 BELARUS: NAKED WITH WOLVES?

Today's funniest Eurovision related story comes from Belarus. Some sources claim Ivan wants to perform on stage naked and with live wolf or wolves. It surely would be a first on Eurovision stage! We have seen some forgotten underwear over the years, and some cardbox animals though..... Is it time to take things a bit further? No, according the rules live animals are not allowed, and Eurovision being a family show nudity won't do either. (It seems to be ok to be half naked if you are a dancer though..... )

FINLAND: REMEMBERING KIRKA

Boobs for summer: Samantha vs Sabrina!

The old rivals have put their bras (or the lack of them) in peace and entered the studios together to record Blondie's boombastic Call me . Life could be worse.....

Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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