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Eurovision fan favourite Joy Fleming dies

28 September 2017 at 15:16 CEST
Joy Fleming in 1975 EBU
Joy Fleming, who represented Germany in the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest has died at the age of 72. Joy's Eurovision entry, 'Ein Lied kann eine Brücke sein,' became a firm fan favourite despite only finishing 17th in the contest.

Joy Fleming started singing at the age of 14 and in 1966 she formed her first band, Joy & The Hit Kids. She went solo in the 1970s and went on to represent her country at the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm. Her Eurovision entry, Ein Lied kann eine Brücke sein (A Song Can Be A Bridge), received just 15 points from the juries but went on to become popular amongst many Eurovision fans. In 1995 the song was covered by Gerard Joling, who represented The Netherlands at Eurovision in 1988.  

Joy to the world

Not deterred by her placing in 1975, Joy went on to participate in several more national selections for the Eurovision Song Contest, most recently in 2002 with the song Joy To The World. She finished second to Corinna May who went on to represent Germany in Tallinn with I Can't Live Without Music

According to Joy's management the singer died unexpectedly at home on Wednesday 27th September. Joy's death was announced on her official Facebook page:

Joy's flamboyant performance of her Eurovision entry in 1975 led to her becoming a firm fan favourite. Despite her passing, it will no doubt bring more joy to Eurovision fans for years to come!