#OBITUARY: Joe Grech has died aged 90

Veteran Maltese singer Joseph ‘Joe’ Grech, who was the first act to represent Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest, has died aged 90. He was renowned for promoting the Maltese language, both in his own country and throughout Europe.

Joe was born on 9 February 1934 in Cospicua and played the trumpet from a very young age. He then switched to singing, and won the first Malta Song Festival, now called Mużika Mużika, in 1960, with his own composition Vola uccellino. He won it again in 1962, duetting with Carmen Schembri and singing the Ivo Galea composition Żgħażagħ Rebbieħa. He again won in 1967, this time duetting with Mary Rose Darmanin with the song Serenata, written by George Zammit and Frank Vassallo.

In 1971, as a result of a good finish at the 1970 Malta Song Festival, Joe was shortlisted to represent his country at the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin. He beat five other performers, including Mary Spiteri (MT92) and Carmen Schembri with his own composition Marija L-Maltija. That year was the first to have official previews, and here’s Joe’s.

Whilst Malta’s first foray in Eurovision wasn’t the best, the song (in Swedish) later featured in the repertoire of Lars Berghagen (SE75).

As a result of Eurovision, Joe got to tour around the UK, Ireland, Europe, and even performed at Sydney Opera House.

Another famous song of his featured as the title track to his album Saħħa Malta with Joe Grech.

In 2019, Joe was awarded the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika (Medal for Service to the Republic) by the then President of Malta His Excellency George Vella.

Eurovision Ireland’s thoughts are with Joe’s family and friends at this sad time.

Author: John Stanton

Source: Eurovision Ireland