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He holds the record: Meet Ralph Siegel!

09 June 2015 at 23:02 CEST
Ralph Siegel
In the sphere of the Eurovision Song Contest, he is not only a true legend but also the undisputed record holder: Ralph Siegel has penned no fewer than 23 entries since his first participation in 1974. His songs have represented five countries. His home country Germany owes its first victory to him. And even this year, after more than 40 years, he has still been contributing to Europe's Favourite TV show by composing the entry of San Marino. Watch our video feature with him and learn how he perceived the contest in the past decades, and what were his personal highlights!

"To be in Jerusalem was very emotional", Ralph Siegel tells us about his participation in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest with Dschinghis Khan. But of course nothing could top his first victory, with Nicole's Ein Bisschen Frieden in 1982 for their home country Germany: "Harrogate was such a small city, and the emotion to win is just very special."

Watch our video feature about Eurovision's most prolific composer right below!

Having participated in so many Eurovision Song Contests to date and still coming up with new songs for this occasion almost every year, it is sometimes hard for Ralph Siegel to picture how many years have passed since his first participation. "It was a highlight that Nicole was just 17 years old at the time of her victory, and last October I sent her roses for her 50th birthday", he recalls one recent anecdote. "You suddenly see 33 years passing by, and I realise how old I am."

Of course the contest has changed a lot since its beginning in history - from a TV show broadcast from a small and formal venue to a high-tech show event using the most sophisticated equipment available, as we saw it broadcast from Vienna during the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest. This time, Ralph Siegel has represented San Marino with Chain Of Lights, sung by young Anita Simoncini & Michele Perniola. "It's a fantastic show here, it's fabulous what they are doing today - the whole hall is like a Chain Of Lights!"

Entries written by Ralph Siegel

1974Ireen SheerBye Bye I Love YouLuxembourg1976The Les Humphries SingersSing Sang SongGermany1979Dschinghis KhanDschinghis KhanGermany1980Katja EbsteinTheaterGermany1980Sophie & MagalyPapa PingouinLuxembourg1981Lena ValaitisJohnny BlueGermany1982NicoleEin Bisschen FriedenGermany1985Margo, Franck Olivier, 

Diane Solomon, Ireen Sheer, 

Malcolm & Chris RobertsChildren, Kinder, EnfantsLuxembourg1987WindLass die Sonne in dein HerzGermany1988Maxi & Chris GardenLied für einen FreundGermany1990Chris Kempers & Daniel KovacFrei zu lebenGermany1992WindTräume sind für alle daGermany1994MeKaDoWir geben 'ne PartyGermany1997Bianca ShomburgZeitGermany1999SürprizReise nach JerusalemGermany2002Corinna MayI Can't Live Without MusicGermany2003LouLet's Get HappyGermany2006six4oneIf We All Give A LittleSwitzerland2009Andrea DemirovićJust Get Out Of My LifeMontenegro2012Valentina MonettaThe Social Network SongSan Marino2013Valentina MonettaCrisalide (Vola)San Marino2014Valentina MonettaMaybeSan Marino2015Anita Simoncini &

Michele PerniolaChain Of LightsSan Marino