The Top 40 has been the leading hit list in the Netherlands since 1965. In the Today section we look back at events in pop music that took place exactly X years ago. In this episode of Today: the unique victory of the Belgian entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1986.
Belgium’s final victory at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1986 is unique for several reasons. One of the reasons is the state of the country in the Eurovision Song Contest. Belgium is one of the countries that have participated in the Eurovision Song Contest most often. Only Germany, the United Kingdom and France have made more appearances. Despite this, Belgium has only won the competition once. That one time is up May 3, 1986 in the Norwegian city of Bergen. It is indicative of Belgium’s status that it came last a year earlier with 7 points.
Now Sandra Kim leads the country to final victory with her song J’aime La Vie. At the time of this victory she was 13 years and 200 days old. This gives us the second unique achievement, because no other winner of the Eurovision Song Contest was younger than Sandra Kim at the time of the win. The Walloon has been announced and registered at the competition as someone of fifteen years old. After it becomes known that she is only thirteen, runner-up Switzerland files a complaint. However, this complaint is dismissed. Nowadays, 15 is the minimum age to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. To be precise: a candidate must turn 16 in the calendar year in which the Eurovision Song Contest takes place. This rule has been in effect since 1990.
J’aime La Vie was in fourth place in the Top 40 from June 14 to 28, 1986, behind records such as Wonderful World by Sam Cooke, Bad Boy by Miami Sound Machine, What Have You Done For Me Lately by Janet Jackson and On My Own by Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald. In her home country, J’aime La Vie leads the BRT Top 30 for eight weeks. In 1997, Sandra Kim celebrated a remarkable comeback at the age of 24. Together with Frank Galan she reached thirtieth place with the double A-side Al Camino De La Vida/Door Veel Van Mij Te Houden.
Here’s what else happened on May 3:
Madonna cleans up May 3, 1988 her Broadway debut for a large audience.
This isn’t exactly Madonna’s first time on Broadway. From August 28 to 31, 1986, she played the role of Lorraine in the play Goose And Tom-Tom, in which her then husband Sean Penn played the leading role. However, this piece was only performed for invited guests and has only been performed four times. So it doesn’t really count as a Broadway debut. Madonna also had some acting experience at that time, thanks to leading roles in the films Desperately Seeking Susan, A Certain Sacrifice and Shanghai Surprise.
Two years later she can be seen on Broadway again, now for a large audience. By the time the satirical play Speed-The-Plow premieres at the Royale Theatre, she has already divorced Sean Penn. The play is about a film producer who makes a bet with a colleague that he can get the seductive secretary Karen into bed. The role of Karen is of course played by Madonna. The play receives positive reviews and the reviews of Madonna’s acting are also largely positive. Speed-The-Plow is nominated for three Tony Awards. Ron Silver, who plays one of the producers, manages to earn his nomination for best actor.
The choice to cast Madonna in this role naturally led to a lot of media attention and good ticket sales, which the play might otherwise never have had. After the play, fans often stood at the back of the theater to catch a glimpse of Madonna. Ron Silver was happy with all the attention. He didn’t believe the play would have had a chance to make it to Broadway without Madonna and he probably wouldn’t have won his Tony Award.
Speed-The-Plow runs until December 31, 1988. In eight months it was performed 279 times. After this, it took until 2002 before Madonna returned to the stage. She will then play the lead role of Loren in the West End production Up For Grabs. Between these two theater roles, Madonna appeared in several films and of course recorded a lot of music.
Also on this day:
1987: Iolanda Christina Gigliotti, better known as Dalida, is found dead in her home in the French capital Paris. In 1974 she took second place with Gigi L’amoroso. Two years later, J’attendrai also became a top 10 hit. Dalida is 54 years old.
1997: The British band Katrina and The Waves will be crowned winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin. In 1985 they released the classic Walking On Sunshine, which was not a hit. The winning song Love Shine A Light reached fourth place in the Top 40.
2008: Marco Borsato comes in first place with White Light. It is the tenth number 1 hit for the Alkmaar singer with Italian roots. White Light is the title song of the film of the same name, in which Borsato plays the leading role. That film will premiere in December 2008.
2017: The Eagles are suing a Mexican hotel for using the name Hotel California.
Born today:
1933 – James Brown at death 73 years,
1934 – Georges Moustaki, at death 79 years,
1937 – Frankie ValliThe Four Seasons
1938 – Napoleon XIVat death 84 years,
1944 – Pete StaplesThe Troggs
1948 – John RichardsonRubettes
1950 – Mary HopkinHobbyHorse
1951 – Christopher Cross,
1953 – Bruce HallREO Speedwagon
1959 – David Ball,SoftCell
1964 – Sterling CampbellDuran Duran
1966 – Hans StokkermansThe Shorts
1969 – Jay DarlingtonKula Shaker
1970 – Def Rhymz,
1971 – Josey Scott,
1972 – Mark Morrison,
1973 – Arno Kolenbrander,
1980 – Marjolein KooijmanThe Gathering
1981 – Farrah FranklinDestiny’s Child
1981 – Bodhi Jones,
1983 – Laava,
1989 – MaryLambert,
1994 – A7S,
1994 – Julian DzekoDzeko & Torres,
1997 – Designer,
Today at number 1:
1969 – 1 (1) Goodbye– Mary Hopkin (Apple), 2 weeks at number 1
1975 – 1 (1) Paloma Blanca– George Baker Selection (Negram), 3 weeks at number 1
1980 – 1 (1) You And Me– Spargo (Lark), 3 weeks at number 1
1986 – 1 (1) Living Doll– Comic Relief presents: Cliff Richard and The Young Ones featuring: Hank Marvin (WEA), 3 weeks at number 1
1997 – 1 (1) I Sing This Song For You Alone– Jantje Smit (Mercury), 4 weeks at number 1
2003 – 1 (1) Step Right Up– Jamai (BMG), 6 weeks at number 1
2008 – 1 (–) White light– Marco Borsato (Universal), 1 week at number 1
2014 – 1 (1) Rather Be– Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne (Atlantic), 9 weeks at number 1
(03/05/2024)
