Joël Prévost
Encyclopedia
Joël Prévost is a French singer, best known for his participation in the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest
.
Born in the Languedoc-Roussillon
region of southern France, Prévost was adopted soon after birth by a family from northern France, renamed Jean-Luc Potaux, and grew up at Trith-Saint-Léger
, close to the border with Belgium
. He moved to Paris in 1970 and in 1972 signed a contract with CBS Records
, releasing a string of singles and touring over the next few years with artists such as Serge Gainsbourg
, Mike Brant
, Michèle Torr and Serge Lama
.
In 1977, Prévost entered the French Eurovision selection with the song "Pour oublier Barbara", but failed to progress from the semi-final. The following year, his song "Il y aura toujours des violons
" ("There Will Always Be Violins") was chosen as the French representative for the 23rd Eurovision Song Contest
. Strangely, the song only finished second in its semi-final before emerging the clear winner in the final. As a result of Marie Myriam
's victory for France the previous year, the 1978 Eurovision was held in Paris on 22 April. Although "Il y aura toujours des violons" was a very traditional, old-style ballad with no concession to the musical trends of the late 1970s, it finished the evening in third place of the 20 entries.
Prévost remains active, having played residencies at the Paris Olympia
and toured extensively for several years throughout Africa.
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...
.
Born in the Languedoc-Roussillon
Languedoc-Roussillon
Languedoc-Roussillon is one of the 27 regions of France. It comprises five departments, and borders the other French regions of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Rhône-Alpes, Auvergne, Midi-Pyrénées on the one side, and Spain, Andorra and the Mediterranean sea on the other side.-Geography:The region is...
region of southern France, Prévost was adopted soon after birth by a family from northern France, renamed Jean-Luc Potaux, and grew up at Trith-Saint-Léger
Trith-Saint-Léger
Trith-Saint-Léger is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-References:* *...
, close to the border with Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. He moved to Paris in 1970 and in 1972 signed a contract with CBS Records
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
, releasing a string of singles and touring over the next few years with artists such as Serge Gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg, born Lucien Ginsburg was a French singer-songwriter, actor and director. Gainsbourg's extremely varied musical style and individuality make him difficult to categorize...
, Mike Brant
Mike Brant
Mike Brant was an Israeli pop star who achieved fame after moving to France. His most successful hit was "Laisse-moi t'aimer"...
, Michèle Torr and Serge Lama
Serge Lama
Serge Lama is a French singer. He was born in Bordeaux.His most famous song is Je suis malade. In 1971 he represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Un jardin sur la terre, which was placed tenth.-Discography:...
.
In 1977, Prévost entered the French Eurovision selection with the song "Pour oublier Barbara", but failed to progress from the semi-final. The following year, his song "Il y aura toujours des violons
Il Y Aura Toujours Des Violons
"Il y aura toujours des violons" was the French entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1978, performed in French by Joël Prévost....
" ("There Will Always Be Violins") was chosen as the French representative for the 23rd Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1978
The Eurovision Song Contest 1978 was the 23rd of its kind, and was held on 22 April 1978 in Paris. With Denise Fabre and Léon Zitrone as the presenters - the first time more than one presenter hosted the contest - the contest was won by Izhar Cohen & the Alphabeta who represented Israel, with their...
. Strangely, the song only finished second in its semi-final before emerging the clear winner in the final. As a result of Marie Myriam
Marie Myriam
Marie Myriam is a French singer of Portuguese origins...
's victory for France the previous year, the 1978 Eurovision was held in Paris on 22 April. Although "Il y aura toujours des violons" was a very traditional, old-style ballad with no concession to the musical trends of the late 1970s, it finished the evening in third place of the 20 entries.
Prévost remains active, having played residencies at the Paris Olympia
Paris Olympia
The Olympia is a music hall in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Located at No. 28, Boulevard des Capucines, its closest métro/RER stations are Madeleine, Opéra, Havre – Caumartin and Auber....
and toured extensively for several years throughout Africa.