French-born vocalist Anne-Marie David claimed victory at the 1973 Eurovision Song Contest, an event overshadowed by controversy, when her entry “Tu Te Reconnaitras” prevailed against notable rivals such as Cliff Richard’s English submission “Power to All Our Friends” and Spain’s disputed “Eres Tu.” At the time she stood for Luxembourg, yet she would reappear on the same stage six years afterward to represent her homeland of France. Born on May 23, 1952, David launched her recording career with the 1970 single “Bab El Oued Mon Amour,” which was succeeded by “Un Peu Romantique.” Recognition arrived only after she took the role of Mary Magdalene in the French staging of Jesus Christ Superstar that opened at the National Theater of Palais de Chaillot in April 1972.
The Eurovision win, Luxembourg’s second consecutive triumph, led to years of nonstop touring both under her own name and as France’s delegate at numerous international festivals. In October 1973 she appeared at the large-scale UNICEF benefit in Milan; the following month she received the Interpretation Prize at the World Festival of Tokyo. Subsequent releases included “Comme une Valse,” “Pour une Heure une Seconde,” and “Fais Cette Chanson pour les Hommes,” yet Turkey proved her strongest audience, yielding several hits while her relief work for earthquake survivors earned her the Legion of Honour of the International Red Crescent in 1975.
She made Turkey her primary home through most of the decade, returning to prominence in France after placing third at the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest with “Je Suis l’Enfant Soleil.” Domestic tours ensued, but by 1983 she had settled in Norway. There she joined the 1985 national jury that also included producer Tony Visconti, composer Ronnie Hazlehurst, and ABBA manager Stig Anderson; the panel chose “La Dette Swinge” by Bobbysox, which went on to win the contest. David has maintained a steady schedule of performances ever since, her latest recording being the live album Live in Charleroi issued in 2004.
