The Eurovision Song Contest 1987 was the 32nd Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 9 May 1987 in Brussels, Belgium after Sandra Kim's win the previous year. The presenter was Viktor Lazlo. Johnny Logan was the winner for Ireland with the song "Hold Me Now". That made him the first performer to win the contest twice, as he had won also in 1980.
The 1987 Eurovision was the biggest contest at that time, with 22 countries taking part. Only Malta, Monaco and Morocco failed to compete out of all the countries which had entered the contest in the past. Due to the number of countries, and the time it took for the contest to be held, the EBU set the limit of competing countries to 22. This became problematic over the next few years as new and returning nations indicated an interest in participating, but could not be accommodated.
Controversy erupted in Israel after their song was selected, "Shir Habatlanim" by Datner & Kushnir. The comedic performance was criticised by the country's culture minister, who threatened to resign should the duo proceed to Brussels. They went on to perform for Israel, placing eighth; however the culture minister's threat was left unfulfilled.
Read more about Eurovision Song Contest 1987: Individual Entries, Results, Score Sheet, Returning Artists, Spokespersons, National Jury Members, Possible Soviet Union Participation
Famous quotes containing the words song and/or contest:
“The quarrel of the sparrows in the eaves,
The full round moon and the star-laden sky,
And the loud song of the ever-singing leaves,
Had hid away earth’s old and weary cry.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
“You may be always victorious if you will never enter into any contest where the issue does not wholly depend upon yourself.”
—Epictetus (c. 55–135)