Here’s Where the Past Eurovision Winners Actually Ended Up

The winner of the very first Eurovision Song Contest, Swiss singer Lys Assia was only 34 when she wowed the crowd with her rendition of Emilie Gardaz and Geo Varmoud’s song “Refrain” in 1956. This would just be the start of a fruitful career for the talented singer.

Lys would release a number of singles and albums, with the young and talented singer showing off her versatile vocal talents as she explored pop, jazz, and Schlager music. She has also used her talent to mentor young aspiring artists, sharing both her wisdom and experience.

Though Assia was still involved in the music industry in her later life, performing at smaller venues and participating in Eurovision events, she also faced a few health and personal challenges that tested her resilience and showed the world just how strong she was.

Lys ultimately went on to release no less than 28 popular albums and EPs during her time. She later appeared at the contest’s 50th anniversary, where she performed her hit song. Sadly, Lys Assia passed away in 2018 at the age of 94.

French actor and singer Andre Claveau made history not once but twice when he became the first male to win the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958 and also the oldest as he was 46 years and 76 days old at the time.

While Claveau enjoyed a successful acting and singing career for many years, it was his acting that gained him the most popularity — with movies like French Cancan, Champions de France, and Un Jour Avec Vous making up his impressive biography.

Andre would later retire from acting and singing, choosing rather to spend his days with his family and taking it easy during his retirement. And while he wasn’t in the spotlight anymore, his legacy would continue through his music.

Claveau passed away on July 4th, 2003 at the age of 87. And, though he’s gone, we’re sure that his name will live on forever in the films he made and the songs and albums he released. Which is your favorite Andre Claveau song?

Grethe and Jørgen Ingmann’s claim to fame came in 1963 when the married couple was announced as the winners of the Eurovision Song Contest with their hit song “Dansevise”, making them the only singers from Denmark to clinch the title until 2000.

The couple went on to release their album, Winners and Losers, in 1967 and ultimately divorced in 1975. This, however, was not the end of their careers as both pursued other avenues, including those in the film and television industry.

While Grethe focused on living life as a now-single woman, Jørgen would try his luck at a solo career that lasted only five years. Grethe passed away in 1990, while Jørgen passed away in 2015, marking the end of their legacy.

But, their legacy as pioneers of Danish popular music has inspired generations of Danish artists to pursue their dreams and carve out their own futures in the music industry. Thank you, Grethe and Jørgen, for your contribution to the music industry.

Sandie Shaw became a household name in the UK after her 1967 win at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1967 at the tender age of 20. This would be the big break the young Shaw needed, as it was the start of a very long and successful career in music.

With songs like “Always Something There to Remind Me,” “Long Live Love,” and “Puppet on a String” making up her impressive discography, Shaw was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2017 for her services to music.

Sandie has stepped back from the spotlight in recent years, preferring to live a quiet life with her husband, psychologist Tony Bedford, in their renovated old mill house in the countryside in Oxfordshire. She makes off-public appearances when it suits her.

Having retired from music in 2013, Sandie regularly participates in events celebrating her career and the music of her era. But, it’s her philanthropic work that keeps her busy as she chooses to support causes close to her heart.

We’re pretty sure you are familiar with this next singer and actress who won the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1969. Yep, you guessed it! It’s none other than Lulu, the Scottish performer who was at one time married to Bee Gees singer Maurice Gibb.

However, it was not her marriage to Gibb that made her famous; instead, it was her incredible talents both on stage and on screens around the world. Releasing her first hit song, “Shout” in 1964, Lulu has gone on to release a further 15 albums and 10 compilation albums. You go, girl!

These days, Lulu is still active in the music industry and her other entertainment ventures. And though it has been a while since she released an album, her talents have kept her relevant and respected throughout the years and decades.

Beyond entertainment, Lulu has also focused heavily on charity work, supporting causes like cancer research in the UK and working with children’s welfare organizations to improve the lives of children in the UK. Good on you, Lulu!

Did you know that Abba got their big break by winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest? Well, it’s true. And the song that catapulted them to fame – “Waterloo”. While they were not exactly unknown as such before Eurovision, it was the push they needed to really become the award-winning band we know and love today.

Today, Abba is a household name, partly thanks to movie musicals like Mamma Mia and Mamma Mia 2, which introduced their music to newer and younger generations. The band, however, disbanded in 1982, with a few of its members pursuing solo careers.

Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson went on to collaborate, writing musicals like Chess and the ever-popular Mamma Mia! Frida Lyngstad released her first solo album in 1975 and another in 1982. The final member, Agnetha Falskog, too, pursued a solo career.

Today, though, Bjorn and Benny are still active in the music industry, while Frida and Agnetha have all but retired, only making appearances when needed. However, one thing that will always remain the same is that they are legends in the music industry.

Who would have thought that a group of session singers would go on to win one of the more coveted titles in music, kickstarting their careers and cementing their places in history? Well, that’s exactly what happened when Brotherhood of Man, a pop group from the United Kingdom, won the title at the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest.

Made up of four equally talented singers – Nicky Stevens, Martin Lee, Sandra Stevens, and Lee Sheridan, Brotherhood of Man would go on to release another 16 studio albums, with no less than three of their hit singles reaching the number-one spot in the UK.

If you’re a fan of Brotherhood of Man, you will be pleased to know that the band is still active today, performing at smaller concerts and events. Having released no new music recently, fans still have songs like “Save Your Kisses for Me” to enjoy.

Despite not being in the spotlight as much as before, the members have also pursued other solo projects, with others choosing to focus on songwriting and music production. Let’s hope they make a comeback one day in the not-too-far future!

Irish singer Johnny Logan can proudly say that he won the Eurovision Song Contest not once but twice, as he was crowned the winner of the international music contest in both 1980 and 1987, which is quite a feat on its own.

In the 90s, Logan continued his successful music career, releasing albums like “Love is All,” “Reach Out,” and hits like “Hold Me – Now” and “What’s Another Year”. He would also go on to write songs for singers like Linda Martin, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1992.

– Now 69 years old, the talented Irishman has enjoyed many years of success in the music industry, with his last album, “Some of My Favorite Songs,” released in 2022. He also continues to perform at concerts and events.

Johnny Logan’s name will live on forever, as he is the beloved Irish singer-songwriter who all but shaped the face of music for Ireland and. We’ll have to keep a close eye on Johnny to see what else this musical genius comes up with next. And we’re here for it!

“Making Your Mind Up” quickly became one of the biggest hits in 1981 after British pop group Bucks Fizz took the title of Eurovision Song Contest winners of that same year. And this, as they say in the industry, was just the beginning of their music career. Or was it?

Bucks Fizz might have enjoyed a few years in the limelight, releasing a few albums along the way, but this was rather short-lived. Band member Jay left the group in 1985, followed by Cheryl in 1993 and Mike in 1996. The band, however, has never officially called it quits on their music careers.

The band has seemingly gotten back together, with Cheryl, Mike, and Jay once again performing together as a group – much to the delight of their many fans around the world. – Now joined by Bobby Mcvay in the 2000s, the band is back to touring.

Speaking of touring, you will have to check out the band’s website to see if they will be performing at a show or festival near you soon. Aside from music, the members of Bucks Fizz also appear on various television shows and focus on charity work.

Let’s set the scene for you, shall we? It’s 1988. A young girl steps onto the stage at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi”. She absolutely blows the crowd away with her performance and is named the winner of the contest. This is the true life story of how Celine Dion made a name for herself in the music industry.

And, while she was only 20 at the time of her win, there was absolutely no doubt that the young girl from Quebec would go on to do great things and make memorable and award-winning music that would only further cement her place in history.

Since her Eurovision win, Celine has been a rather busy woman. She has achieved global fame with songs like “My Heart Will Go On”. She has won Grammys, Billboard Music Awards, and other coveted awards that celebrate her musical talents.

Ms. Dion began a residency in Las Vegas, which went on to become one of the highest-grossing concert residencies of all time. She has, however, recently been battling some health issues and is rarely seen in public. Get better soon, Celine. We miss you!

While she might have had her start in the Irish pop band Chips, Linda Martin made quite the name for herself as a new solo artist when she won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1992 with the hit song “Why Me?”

After her win, Martin continued to make music, releasing a number of albums. But, this is not where she got her big break, starting her music career with the bands Chips and Little People. Linda left the band in 1983, choosing to focus on a solo career.

Linda’s hit song “Why Me,” written by fellow Irish Eurovision winner Johnny Logan, would reach number one in the Irish music charts, cementing her place in Irish music history and earning her a bevy of fans.

Since then, Ms. Martin has become a TV presenter, hosting the Lyrics Board shows You’re a Star and Charity You’re a Star. She was last seen on stage as a guest performer at the 5th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005. Linda lives a quiet life in North Dublin.

Once a member of the music group Anuna, Eimear Quinn carved out her own place in the music industry when she represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1996. Only 26 years old at the time, Quinn won the contest with her song “The Voice”.

Like many others on this list, this, too, was the start of Eimears’s career, which saw her tour and perform both locally in Ireland and internationally in countries like the United States and Europe. She also released four albums of her beautiful music.

Eimear has continued her music career, much to the delight of her many fans worldwide. Her most recent album, Eriu, was released in 2020. Give it a listen if you haven’t already, and see just why Ms. Quinn is so famous.

These days, Eimear works as a vocal coach, teaching others the tricks of the trade. She also occasionally collaborates with other musicians but has chosen to step away from the spotlight and focus on helping others with their musical and singing pursuits.

Who hasn’t heard the song “Walking on Sunshine?” Okay, that was a rhetorical question because there is no way you haven’t heard this incredibly catchy and popular song, released in 1985 by the 80s British pop-rock band Katrina & The Waves.

Formed in 1981, the band would once again claim the spotlight when they won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1997 with her hit song, “Love Shine a Light”. But, their success would be relatively short-lived as the band would ultimately disband in the late 90s.

Katrina & The Waves disbanded in 1998/1999 due to disagreements among band members and challenges in their music careers. Band members did, however, agree that it was time to move on and pursue individual paths and endeavors.

Lead singer Katrina Leskanich left the band in 98/99 and went on to launch a solo career, signing with Universal Records UK in 2005. There is no information available on what the other members of the band are up to.

Swedish songstress wowed the audience at the 1999 Eurovision Song Contest when she performed her now-famous hit song “Take Me to Your Heaven”. Clinching the title, Charlotte has since enjoyed a fantastic singing career.

– Now, going by her married name, Charlotte Perrelli, the young singer won the Melodifestivalen in 2007 and came 8th in the same competition in 2021. But that’s not all; she once again represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.

Charlotte has turned her sights to a career in entertainment and has now taken on the role of television host. She still performs at concerts and festivals and releases albums, the latest of which is a Christmas album.

– Now a mother of a baby girl, Charlotte keeps her private life private, choosing to share only the minimum about her day-to-day life as a wife and mother. She has also released a series of fitness books. What a busy woman!

If you’re a metal music fan, chances are you have heard the name Lordi or heard one of the band’s songs at least once in your lifetime. Formed in 1992, Lordi gained international stardom when they participated in and won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006.

Their song “Hard Rock Hallelujah” was clearly a hit, sparking a music career bigger than any of the band’s members could have ever imagined. Their fan base and success clearly speak for themselves in this case.

Lordi is still active on the metal and rock music scenes, having released their latest music offering, “Screem Writers Guild” in 2023. With no less than eight studio albums, many of which contain at least a few number one hits.

The band continues to perform at concerts both locally and internationally, and also create new music that is sure to be as popular and worth a listen for fans around the world. Do you like Lordi and their blend of hard rock and theatrical performances?

Lena was a fairly unknown singer before she took to the stage at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest. She performed her hit song “Satellite” and received a positive response. Only 19 at the time, the German singer quickly became popular, launching a successful solo career.

Her debut album, My Cassette Player, and her Eurovision song, “Satellite” went platinum in 2010 — topping the music charts in Germany and Europe. Other albums include Good News, Stardust, Crystal Sky, and Only Love, L.

Lena is still, to this day, known as one of the best-selling female German artists in the world and has won five MTV Europe Music Awards. She’s still performing and can be seen at festivals and concerts worldwide.

If you want to reach out and hopefully get a response from Lena herself, jump onto Instagram and see just what this popular singer is up to. Who knows? You might just get a response from the queen herself as she updates her fans about her music and life.

Conchita Wurst is one of the more controversial entries on our list. He appeared on the Eurovision Song Contest stage in 2014, where he performed the song “Rise Like a Phoenix” in full drag. This caused quite a stir among the more conservative viewers.

Drag queen Thomas Neuwirth might have caused a stir appearing on stage as Conchita, but he has carved out a successful career for himself as the drag queen with the beard who wows audiences with his singing talents.

Conchita is still performing and has released several albums. These include From Vienna With Love and Truth Over Magnitude. He’s also had a number of hit singles that have fans rushing out to buy his albums and singles as they are released.

A talented songwriter, Conchita has also appeared on TV shows like Music Impossible: Mein Song Dein Sound. On this show, he writes his own music and showcases his talents with various television appearances. We wonder what’s next for this phenomenal performer!

Italian band Måneskin formed in 2016 but was fairly unknown until their appearance on the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021. They performed the song “Zitti e buoni,” winning the competition with an energetic performance.

This was just what the band needed to kickstart their music career. They have studio albums released in 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2023. The band have, to date, released three albums, two EPs, and 17 singles. And, even more amazing, they’ve sold over two million records in Italy alone.

You’ll be pleased to know that Måneskin is still together today, and are still performing worldwide. For those who love the app TikTok as much as we do, you will recognize their music. It’s often used in videos on the app — check it out for yourself!

Måneskin is currently working on a new album and collaborating with other artists. Be sure to check out their social media pages to see what they are up to and who they are collaborating with. You may become a fan.

2022 saw the Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra, formerly known as Kalush, take to the stage when they performed at the Eurovision Song Contest of that year. Performing the song “Stefania,” a tribute to frontman Oleh Psiuk’s mother, the group won the contest.

The song charted in 22 markets and has been performed in at least 200 concerts, with the group traveling the world and sharing its music with its many fans. Not bad for a group that only formed in 2021, right?

Kalush Orchestra are still performing, earning up to $2.4 million for their talents, which they donate to relief efforts in their hometown in the Ukraine. They tour various venues, spreading hope and a message of resilience everywhere they go.

The band is currently working on a new album, which, if their previous hit singles are anything to go by, promises to be just as popular as their “older music.” Give them a listen and fall in love with their unique blend of folk and contemporary sounds.

Loreen, a talented singer from Sweden, became the most recent winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023. She performed her song “Tattoo” in front of thousands of contest fans and viewers. But this was not her first performance. In 2012, she also participated and actually won the title.

The singer has since released two studio albums and 15 singles. This has only catapulted her further into fame and fortune. She wows the world with her impressive vocal talents and energetic stage presence. This is definitely one girl to watch!

Loreen is still making music and has played at concerts and venues around the world. And her song? “Tattoo” has become the third most streamed Eurovision song of all time, boasting 453 524 951 streams internationally.

Only time will tell what this Swedish singer will do next. But, if her current successes are anything to go by, we’re sure that we will hear a lot more of Lena and her incredible voice in the future. Let’s wait and see!