HISTORY OF THE ESC. Part 7: 1971. Continues: next week.

THE HISTORY OF THE

EUROVISION

SONG CONTEST

Caffé Latté  looks back on the key moments of Europe’s annual competition.

1971

Ireland's victory in 1970 proved popular and seemed to appease the naysayers that were disillusioned following the 2 controversial results of 1968 and 1969. The 1st Irish win brought Eurovision to Dublin in 1971. 

Only 12 nations had participated in Amsterdam. The following year, the 5 nations that had boycotted the 1970 event (Sweden, Austria, Norway, Finland and Portugal) returned and Malta made its debut; bringing the number of competing countries up to 18. 

A significant innovation of the 1971 ESC was that groups were finally permitted. Prior to this year, all entrants had been soloists or duos. A limit of 6 members was implemented. The first group to perform at Eurovision was Peter, Sue & Marc for Switzerland with "Les Illusion De Nos Vingt Ans". Sweden was also represented by a group- The Family Four- with "Vita Vidder". The latter fared best, finishing in 6th place while the Swiss act ended the night at #12. Monaco took home the grand prize for the first and only time with Severine's "Un Banc, Un Arbre, Une Rue". 

Allowing groups in Eurovision was a timely decision. Another Swedish band was poised to change the contest forever in just 3 years.