Bardo (band)

Last updated

Bardo
OriginUnited Kingdom
GenresPop, dance
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1982–1983
Labels Epic Records
Past members Sally Ann Triplett
Stephen Fischer

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".

Contents

Overview

Triplett, a children's TV presenter ( Crackerjack ), was previously a member of the UK's 1980 Eurovision act Prima Donna. Triplett is one of only five acts to have represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest twice; the others being Ronnie Carroll, Cliff Richard, Cheryl Baker of Bucks Fizz and James Newman. [1]

On the day of the Eurovision Song Contest 1982, Bardo were rated favourites to win by Ladbrokes bookmakers and were also rated highly by Terry Wogan. [2] On the night, Bardo's performance was criticised for nerves and for placing more emphasis on the dance routines than the singing. "One Step Further" (written by Simon Jefferis) came seventh in the competition, below expectations. [3] The single however performed much better in the UK Singles Chart by reaching No. 2. [4]

Bardo were managed by Nichola Martin, the woman responsible for 1981 Eurovision victors Bucks Fizz, and produced by the same producer, Andy Hill. [5] 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 because of the low sales of the singles. [6]

Triplett and Fischer had by this time become romantically linked and stayed together after the dissolution of Bardo. [7] They also continued to perform together under a different name and spent some time in France. [8] 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 . [9] 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. [10] [11]

Triplett and Fischer reunited to perform "One Step Further" on stage in London in 2010, wearing their original costumes, to raise money for charity as part of the West End Eurovision night. In 2013 a download album was released on iTunes called The Best of Bardo. This featured the duo's six A and B-sides as well as a number of newly created remixes. [12]

Discography

Singles

Album

Related Research Articles

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<i>Bucks Fizz</i> (album) 1981 studio album by Bucks Fizz

Bucks Fizz is the eponymous debut studio album by the British pop group Bucks Fizz. It was released in July 1981, it features their Eurovision-winning song "Making Your Mind Up" as well as the two follow-up singles "Piece of the Action" and "One of Those Nights". The album was produced by Andy Hill and released on RCA Records. Bucks Fizz has been re-released twice on CD, first in 2004 with bonus tracks and as a two-disc edition in 2015.

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"The Land of Make Believe" is a 1981 single by British band Bucks Fizz. It reached No.1 in the UK in early 1982 - the second single by the band to do so. The song was produced by Andy Hill with music by Hill and lyrics by ex-King Crimson member Peter Sinfield. Despite the apparent sugar-coated style of the song, Sinfield later claimed it was a subtle attack on Margaret Thatcher and her government's policy at the time. "The Land of Make Believe" became a big hit across Europe in early 1982, topping the charts in Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland as well as the UK. The song was later covered by pop band allSTARS* for a 2002 single release.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prima Donna (British band)</span> British band

Prima Donna were the United Kingdom representatives in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980. The group comprised sisters Kate and Jane Robbins, Sally Ann Triplett, Danny Finn, Alan Coates and Lance Aston. Finn was a former member of The New Seekers and was married to fellow ex-New Seeker Eve Graham. Robbins later embarked on a successful career as a comedian, impressionist and actress.

Stephen Fischer is a British singer and participant in the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest as part of the duo Bardo. He is married with two children and lives in London.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Step Further</span> 1982 single by Bardo

"One Step Further", written by Simon Jefferis, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1982, performed by the duo Bardo, comprising Sally Ann Triplett and Stephen Fischer.

Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1982 with the song "Here Today Gone Tomorrow", written by Sally Keating, and performed by The Duskeys. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final.

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References

  1. ↑ O'Connor, John Kennedy. The Eurovision Song Contest – The Official History. Carlton Books, UK. 2007 ISBN   978-1-84442-994-3
  2. ↑ Daily Express, 24 April 1982
  3. ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest (United Kingdom 1982) Bardo, One Step Further". Esc-history.com.
  4. ↑ "Bardo : Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  5. ↑ "Sally Ann Triplett official website | Bardo pictures and lyrics". Archived from the original on 13 October 2008.
  6. ↑ "The Stage | Sally Ann Triplett interview with mention of Bardo's career".
  7. ↑ Daily Express article: "We're broke but we're happy", 23 April 1983
  8. ↑ "Press Reviews". Anthonyphillips.co.uk.
  9. ↑ "Sally Ann Triplett official website | Biography". Archived from the original on 13 October 2008.
  10. ↑ "ESC Today | Bardo and current career".
  11. ↑ "Penguin Cafe – members". Archived from the original on 26 November 2006.
  12. ↑ "The Best of Bardo (feat. Steve Fisher & Sally Ann Triplet) by Bardo". Music.apple.com.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest
1982 		Succeeded by
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