#OBITUARY: Kirsti Sparboe from Norway

Norwegian singer and actress Kirsti Sparboe has died, aged 79. She was part of a very elite group of performers that has sung at the Eurovision Song Contest on three separate occasions. She was born in Tromsø in 1946.

Her first attempt was in 1965 in Naples. Her song Karusell was written by Jolly Kramer-Johansen. She received one point from Austria.

In 1967, when the contest was in Vienna for the first time, we know that Sandie Shaw won. But finishing in 14th place with two points Kirsti sang Dukkeman. This turned out to be the most points she scored in a contest.

In 1969 in Madrid she tried again, this time earning one point from Sweden with the song Oj, oj, oj, så glad jeg skal bli. It was written by Arne Bendiksen who would be involved with a number of Eurovision songs in the 1970s.

Outside of Eurovision, she had a string of hits in Germany as well as her native Norway. Such was her status in Germany, she tried to represent that country in the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest. She finished fourth to Katja Ebstein.

Our thoughts are with Kirsti’s family and friends at this sad time.