Lily Castel (born Alice van Acker on 10 April 1937) is a Belgian singer, best known for her participation with Jacques Raymond in the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest.
Lily Castel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alice van Acker |
| Born | 10 April 1937 |
| Origin | Ghent, Belgium |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupation | Singer |
Background
editCastel started out as a dancer before auditioning for television talent show Ontdek de Ster in 1958. She obtained regular work singing with orchestras, and through the 1960s appeared on television and performed internationally, including at the Sopot International Song Festival. In 1970, she toured with former Eurovision singer Lize Marke.[1]
Career
editAlong with Jacques Raymond, Ann Christy, Nicole Josy and Hugo Deltas, Castel was one of the team from Belgium that were to represent their country at the 10th European Song Cup Contest to be held at the venue of the Casino, Knokkele-Zoute in Brussels on July 12 -18 1968.[2]
Castel recorded the Barbara Ruskin song "Gentlemen Please" which was released on the Decca label in 1969.[3]
Eurovision Song Contest
editThe 1971 selection process for the Belgian Eurovision entry had resulted in a comprehensive victory for the song "Goeiemorgen, morgen" ("Good Morning, Morning"), performed by Nicole & Hugo, to be the representative for the 16th Eurovision Song Contest, to take place on 3 April in Dublin.[4] Less than a week before the contest however, Nicole fell ill with jaundice and the duo had to withdraw.[5] As last-minute replacements, BRT drafted in Castel and Belgium's 1963 Eurovision veteran Jacques Raymond. It was a race against time for the pair, not least when they arrived in Dublin to find that the stage layout at the Gaiety Theatre was unsuitable for the routine they had rehearsed. In the circumstances they gave a creditable performance on the night, but "Goeiemorgen, morgen" was not greatly appreciated by the juries and finished in joint 14th place of 18 entries.[6][7]
Later career
editCastel remains active, having been a successful performer in concerts and variety shows for many years.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b interview Archived 12 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine Het Nieuwsblad – 11 July 2008 (in Dutch)
- ^ Billboard, June 15, 1968 - Page 55 International News Reports, Belgian Team Is Chosen for Song Contest
- ^ Ultratop - Lily Castel – Gentlemen please
- ^ "BELGIAN NATIONAL FINAL 1971". natfinals.50webs.com. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "beu.be". Archived from the original on 23 January 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "Eurovision Song Contest : Belgium 1971 : Lily Castel & Jacques Raymond, Goeie Morgen, Morgen : ESC-History". www.esc-history.com. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "Goeiemorgen morgen, morgen" at digiloo.net