Latest news with #BrotherhoodOfMan
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Eurovision has become a grotesque forum for the display of political prejudices... it's time Britain bid au revoir and pulled out for good
I'm old enough to remember when the Eurovision Song Contest was an annual bit of fun. We'd all gather round the TV to have a friendly laugh at how cringeworthy other countries' music was and how exciting it was when the likes of Brotherhood Of Man and Bucks Fizz brought the trophy back to Britain. I'm even old enough to have watched Katie Boyle became a national treasure for presenting Eurovision a record four times in the 1960s and 70s, the Italy-born polyglot awing us with her perfect poise and language skills.
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Three best UK Eurovision entries of all time named – did your favourite make the cut?
THE best British Eurovision entries of all time have been revealed following the results of a new poll. Bucks Fizz's Making Your Mind Up, Sam Ryder's Space Man and Brotherhood of Man's Save Your Kisses for Me came top of the pile. 6 6 6 6 Cliff Richard's first Eurovision entry in 1968, Congratulations, and Katrina and the Wave s' Love Shine a Light, the last Eurovision win for the UK in 1997, make up the remainder of the top five, in a study of 2,000 adults. Others to feature in the top UK Eurovision songs include Lulu with Boom Bang-a-Bang from 1969, and Sonia's Better the Devil You Know, which finished an agonising second place in 1993. Cheryl Baker, who won Eurovision as part of Bucks Fizz's hit in 1981, said: 'That's fantastic! It's amazing it was 44 years ago that we won. 'Katrina was a lot more recent, my favourite was Sandie Shaw with Puppet on a String, and I was so excited when I got to meet her. 'Brotherhood of Man were the biggest selling of the Eurovision entries – I think they sold six million records! But it's an absolute honour and a privilege that people think of our entry as the best of British. 'There's been so many great songs which have come from the UK over the years, and it makes me so proud that people think of Bucks Fizz when they think of Eurovision.' Speaking at the WhichBingo Awards, she also lifted the lid on how the UK's entry, Remember Monday, would perform – and which nation she thinks will win Eurovision this year. Cheryl said: 'Who knows – with Eurovision, I've never picked a winning song yet. I think the girls are fantastic, and the song is really good. 'I know the bookies are only giving it a one per cent chance – but you never know. 'I love what the girls wear, it's almost theatrical, and historical in a way – it could be something from Bridgerton. Eurovision fans spot huge technical blunders in UK entry Remember Monday's performance ahead of final 'But they're up against Sweden and they put everything in – it's not just the song and the singing, it's all in the production. 'I think they could possibly nick it, which would make them the most successful Eurovision country ever, and they'd love to take that crown – but we'll give them a good run for their money. 'It all depends on if the song's good enough – When Sam did it, his song and performance were great, and had it not been for Russia invading Ukraine, we could have won that year.' TOP 10 BRIT EUROVISION ENTRIES 1. Bucks Fizz – 'Making Your Mind Up' 2. Sam Ryder – 'Space Man' 3. Brotherhood of Man – 'Save Your Kisses for Me' 4. Cliff Richard – 'Congratulations' 5. Katrina and the Waves – 'Love Shine a Light' 6. Lulu – 'Boom Bang-a-Bang' 7. Sonia – 'Better the Devil You Know' 8. Olivia Newton-John – 'Long Live Love' 9. Bonnie Tyler – 'Believe in Me' 10. Cliff Richard – 'Power to All Our Friends' 'I'd like to think Making Your Mind Up will still be popular in another 44 years – the bit they always show on the telly is when the skirts come off, as simple as that was – it made that performance and that moment is what stuck in people's memories.' The research found the most important elements to a Eurovision-winning entry includes a catchy, memorable chorus (38 per cent), a strong hook melody you can't forget (34 per cent) and an emotional or powerful vocal performance (24 per cent). Other vital ingredients include a charismatic performer you can root for (20 per cent) and a sense of fun and chaos (19 per cent). It also emerged the UK is a Eurovision-loving nation, as 38 per cent either watch it every year or most years. And there's confidence among fans that the UK could end its 28-year wait for a Eurovision win, with 15 per cent believing Remember Monday could win. Almost a third (32 per cent) want Ed Sheeran to compete for the UK at Eurovision – ahead of Adele (29 per cent) and Harry Styles (20 per cent). WhichBingo spokesperson, Charlie Shakespeare, added: 'We're backing Remember Monday to go all the way, but how cool would it be if Ed Sheeran stepped out for Britain one year? 'As our research shows, there's a few different factors which go into a knockout Eurovision performance. If they can stick close to them, there's no reason Britain can't go all the way.' 'It's been great hosting so many stars at our awards ceremony this week. There's been a real buzz about the place with everyone chatting and having so much fun together.' 6 6
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Brotherhood of Man singer Martin Lee who won Eurovision with Save Your Kisses For Me left surprising amount after he died aged 77
Brotherhood of Man singer Martin Lee, who won Eurovision with Save Your Kisses For Me left an estate valued at £141,000 following his death last year at the age of 77. Lee, who lived in Cobham, Surrey, was part of the two-boy, two-girl band that led Britain to victory at the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with the song. The track went to No.1 in more than 30 countries, sold six million copies and was at the top of the UK charts for six weeks. Brotherhood of Man followed up their Eurovision success with two more UK No.1 singles, Angelo in 1977 and Figaro in 1978. His will states his estate should pass to his wife Sandra Stevens, 80, who was also a singer in the group, and who he married in 1979. As well as singing and playing guitar, Lee also co-wrote a number of the band's songs alongside Lee Sheriden. Before joining the band, Martin also released a solo single called Cry Jose, and was part of the Johnny Howard Band. The singer was born as Martin Barnes on November 26, 1946, in Purley, London and spent five of his younger years living in Australia. Martin with his wife and band mate Sandra Stevens, who he was married to for 45 years (seen together in 2012) The band were first formed in 1969 and Martin joined them three years later, singing lead vocals on their hit Save Your Kisses For Me (pictured second from right on Eurovision) Before the Eurovision competition, which took place in The Hague, Brotherhood Of Man initially found success with their single United We Stand, which was also the name of their debut album. It became a top 20 hit in the UK, Canada, Australia and the US. They released some more successful singles, including Oh Boy (The Mood I'm In) and Angelo, as well as a second album called B for Brotherhood. The group split up in the 1980s for a few years, but reunited for a TV show in 1985 and have stayed in touch ever since. They have reunited a few times since their peak period of success and continued performing together, but officially retired from touring in 2022. Announcing his death at the time, the band said in a statement: 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our great friend and colleague Brotherhood of Man's Martin Lee who slipped peacefully away on the evening of Sunday 29th September 2024 from heart failure after a short illness. Martin was 77. 'Martin sang lead vocals on the 1976 Eurovision Winner 'Save your kisses for me' which was number 1 in 31 countries and the Guinness book biggest selling eurovision single of all time plus the biggest winner by percentage of vote. 'He was not only a wonderful singer but also co-wrote with band mate Lee Sheriden most of the Brotherhood of Man hits including the 3 number one records. 'Other awards include 26 Platinum, Gold & Silver Discs, 3 Ivor Novello awards and an ASCAP Shield for writing a top 10 hit in the United States.'
