Merci Cherie – Austria and the song contest on ORF October 5th, 2024, 3:00 a.m

The documentary traces the exact events of March 5, 1966, when Udo Jürgens won the song contest for Austria. A phenomenon, an exception, an icon of popular music: When it comes to finding an appropriate name for the artist Udo Jürgens, critics are overwhelmed with praise. In fact, hardly any German-speaking musician can look back on a similarly long and successful music career. Classics like “Greek Wine” or “But Please With Cream” can still be hummed along by even today’s teenagers. In 1964, Udo Jürgens took part in the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen for the first time. With “Why, why?” He achieved sixth place for Austria. The English version “Walk Away”, sung by Matt Monroe, storms the British and US charts and sells 1.5 million copies worldwide. In 1965, Udo Jürgens took part in the Grand Prix again in Naples and came in fourth place with “Tell her, I send her greetings”. Finally, in 1966 in Luxembourg, the breakthrough: With “Merci Chérie”, Jürgens achieved victory for Austria and scored a global hit – the starting signal for his international career. With 31 points, he received almost twice as many as the second-placed Swedes. Italy and Monaco received no points at all. The British representative Kenneth McKellar is so far the only performer who has performed in a kilt at the song competition. Milly Scott, representing the Netherlands, was the first black singer in the competition. Local stars such as Dagmar Koller, Lizzi Engstler and Peter Kraus have their say. The documentary also shows the last interview with music legend and 1977 Song Contest participant Willi Resetarits.