Bardo (band)
Encyclopedia
Bardo was a male/female pop music
duo
(Sally Ann Triplett
and Stephen Fischer
) formed to represent the United Kingdom
in the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest
with the song "One Step Further
".
Triplett, a children's TV presenter (Crackerjack), was previously a member of the UK
's 1980 Eurovision act Prima Donna
. Author John Kennedy O'Connor notes in his book The Eurovision Song Contest - The Official History that Triplett is one of only four singers to have represented the UK in the Eurovision contest twice, the others being Ronnie Carroll
, Cliff Richard
and Cheryl Baker
of Bucks Fizz
. Fischer was a singer and actor
.
On the day of the contest, Bardo were rated favourites to win by Ladbrokes
bookmakers and were also rated highly by Terry Wogan
. On the night, Bardo's performance was criticized for nerves and for placing more emphasis on the dance routines than the singing. "One Step Further" (written by Simon Jefferies) came seventh in the competition, below expectations. The single however performed much better in the UK Singles Chart
by reaching #2.
Bardo were managed by Nichola Martin, the woman responsible for 1981 Eurovision victors Bucks Fizz
, and produced by the same producer, Andy Hill
. Signed to Epic Records
, plans were in place to continue Bardo's career, but subsequent singles, "Talking Out of Line" (written by Andy Hill and Nichola Martin) and "Hang On to Your Heart" (written by Ian Maidman) failed to chart. An album was planned but shelved due to the low sales of the singles.
Triplett and Fischer had by this time become romantically linked and continued to stay together after the dissolution of Bardo. They also continued to perform together under a different name and spent some time in France. In 1990, Triplett gave birth to their son. They split up some years later. Triplett has since become a successful theatre
actress and performer, most notably in the musicals Anything Goes
(alongside John Barrowman
) and Guys and Dolls. Fischer also continues to perform in the music business, mainly on stage and has performed as a pianist and vocalist with the Penguin Cafe Orchestra
. Triplett and Fischer reunited to perform One Step Further on stage in London in 2010, wearing their original costumes, in order to raise money for charity as part of the West End Eurovision night.
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
duo
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
(Sally Ann Triplett
Sally Ann Triplett
Sally Ann Triplett is a British singer and actress most famous for her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest and many West End productions.-Eurovision:...
and Stephen Fischer
Stephen Fischer
Stephen Fischer is a British singer famous for his participation in the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest as part of the duo Bardo. He is married with two children and lives in London....
) formed to represent the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
with the song "One Step Further
One Step Further
"One Step Further", written by Simon Jefferies, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1982, performed by Sally Ann Triplett and Stephen Fischer, comprising the duo Bardo.- Background :...
".
Triplett, a children's TV presenter (Crackerjack), was previously a member of the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's 1980 Eurovision act Prima Donna
Prima Donna (band)
Prima Donna were the United Kingdom representatives in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980. The group comprised sisters Kate Robbins and Jane Robbins, Sally Ann Triplett, Danny Finn, Alan Coates and Lance Aston...
. Author John Kennedy O'Connor notes in his book The Eurovision Song Contest - The Official History that Triplett is one of only four singers to have represented the UK in the Eurovision contest twice, the others being Ronnie Carroll
Ronnie Carroll
Ronnie Carroll is a Northern Irish singer and entertainer.-Career:...
, Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
and Cheryl Baker
Cheryl Baker
Cheryl Baker is an English television presenter and singer. She is most famous for being a member of 1980s pop group Bucks Fizz, and has performed for the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest twice, winning it the second time.-Early career:After leaving school and a series of secretarial jobs, Cheryl...
of Bucks Fizz
Bucks Fizz (band)
Bucks Fizz are an English pop group who achieved success in the 1980s, most notably for winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up". The group was formed in January 1981 specifically for the contest and comprised four vocalists: Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and...
. Fischer was a singer and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
.
On the day of the contest, Bardo were rated favourites to win by Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes plc is a British based gambling company. It is based in Rayners Lane in Harrow, London owned by Bhavin Kakaiya. From 14 May 1999 to 23 February 2006, when it owned the Hilton hotel brand outside the United States, it was known as Hilton Group plc...
bookmakers and were also rated highly by Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
. On the night, Bardo's performance was criticized for nerves and for placing more emphasis on the dance routines than the singing. "One Step Further" (written by Simon Jefferies) came seventh in the competition, below expectations. The single however performed much better in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
by reaching #2.
Bardo were managed by Nichola Martin, the woman responsible for 1981 Eurovision victors Bucks Fizz
Bucks Fizz (band)
Bucks Fizz are an English pop group who achieved success in the 1980s, most notably for winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up". The group was formed in January 1981 specifically for the contest and comprised four vocalists: Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and...
, and produced by the same producer, Andy Hill
Andy Hill (composer)
Andy Hill is a British music producer and songwriter who scored many hits during the 1980s and 90s...
. Signed to Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, plans were in place to continue Bardo's career, but subsequent singles, "Talking Out of Line" (written by Andy Hill and Nichola Martin) and "Hang On to Your Heart" (written by Ian Maidman) failed to chart. An album was planned but shelved due to the low sales of the singles.
Triplett and Fischer had by this time become romantically linked and continued to stay together after the dissolution of Bardo. They also continued to perform together under a different name and spent some time in France. In 1990, Triplett gave birth to their son. They split up some years later. Triplett has since become a successful theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
actress and performer, most notably in the musicals Anything Goes
Anything Goes
Anything Goes is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The original book was a collaborative effort by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, heavily revised by the team of Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The story concerns madcap antics aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London...
(alongside John Barrowman
John Barrowman
John Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer and media personality. Born in Glasgow yet growing up in Illinois after his family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, Barrowman was encouraged to further his love for music and...
) and Guys and Dolls. Fischer also continues to perform in the music business, mainly on stage and has performed as a pianist and vocalist with the Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
The Penguin Cafe Orchestra was a collective of performing musicians created by classically trained British guitarist, composer and arranger Simon Jeffes...
. Triplett and Fischer reunited to perform One Step Further on stage in London in 2010, wearing their original costumes, in order to raise money for charity as part of the West End Eurovision night.
Discography
Singles:- March 1982 – "One Step Further" (Epic)
- June 1982 – "Talking Out of Line" (Epic)
- January 1983 – "Hang On to Your Heart" (Epic)