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 name | Heddy Affolter |
Born | (1950-06-18) 18 June 1950 (age 72) |
Origin | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
Genres | Pop, Musical theatre |
Occupation(s) | Singer |
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]
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]
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]
Singles
April Shower
Solo
Album
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" |
![]() | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Note: Entries scored out are when the Netherlands did not compete |
Eurovision Song Contest 1977 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Countries |
| ||||
Artists |
| ||||
Songs |
|
General | |
---|---|
National libraries | |
Other |
|