Heddy Lester

Heddy Lester (born Heddy Affolter, 18 June 1950) is a Dutch singer and actress, best known outside the Netherlands for her participation in the 1977 Eurovision Song Contest.

Heddy Lester
Heddy Lester in 2007
Background information
Birth nameHeddy Affolter
Born (1950-06-18) 18 June 1950
OriginAmsterdam, Netherlands
GenresPop, Musical theatre
Occupation(s)Singer

Early career

Lester was born in Amsterdam. Her professional career started with Gert Balke as the duo April Shower, who had a minor hit with "Railroad Song" in 1971. Her father ran a restaurant in Amsterdam, where she met singer Ramses Shaffy, with whom she started touring. Lester launched her solo career in 1974.[1]

Eurovision Song Contest

In 1977, Lester's song "De mallemolen" ("The Merry-Go-Round"), with music written by her brother Frank, was chosen by a celebrity panel as the winner in the Dutch Eurovision selection.[2] Lester went forward to take part in the 22nd Eurovision Song Contest, held in London on 7 May. Although "De mallemolen" had been considered a strong contender prior to the contest, it could only manage a disappointing 12th-place finish of 18 entries.[3]

Later career

Since her Eurovision appearance, Lester has worked steadily in a variety of both musical and dramatic stage roles, including works by Lorca (Blood wedding), Euripides (The Trojan Women) and Joshua Sobol (Ghetto).[1]

In 2009, Lester, along with several other former Dutch Eurovision contestants, was a special guest on that year's Eurovision selection television programme.[4]

Discography
Heddy Lester in 1977

Singles

April Shower

  • 1971: "Mama Look Upon Me"
  • 1971: "Railroad Song" (#30)
  • 1972: "It's So Funny"
  • 1973: "Danny's Song"


Solo

  • 1974: "Friend of Mine"
  • 1977: "De mallemolen" (#28)
  • 1977: "Words Keep Turning"
  • 1978: "Samen"


Album

  • 1977: Deel van m'n bestaan

References
  1. Muziek Centrum Nederland biography (Dutch) Archived 9 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "National Finals database – 1977". Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2009.
  3. ESC History – 1977
  4. ESC Today 28-1-09
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Sandra Reemer
with "The Party's Over"		 Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest
1977		 Succeeded by
Harmony
with "'t Is OK"
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