Jørgen Ingmann, one-half of Denmark’s first-ever Eurovision winning act, has passed away aged 89. According to his daughter he died on March 21 while using his computer: His heart simply stopped beating and he passed away without experiencing any pain.
The sad news comes almost one year after his winning entry was used as the intro for the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen. Next month he would have celebrated his 90th birthday.
Jørgen and Grethe at the 1963 Eurovision Song Contest
In recent years Scandi success at Eurovision has been something of a given. But, rewinding to the beginning of the contest, it actually took the region eight years to score a victory. Jørgen and his then wife Grethe had the honor of bringing the trophy home to Denmark in 1963 with their song ”Dansevise” (Dance Ballad) — a moderately uptempo ode to dance.
The couple divorced twelve years later in 1975, after which Jørgen decided to go solo for another five years. He then retired as a musician and has avoided the public since then. Grethe passed away in 1990.
Björn and Benny from ABBA (Eurovision 1974) are now the oldest surviving male Eurovision winners. Luckily most of the female winners are still alive, including the first-ever winner Lys Assia.
Rest in peace.
Rest in peace, Jørgen and Grethe, you had a very nice song that year.
His winning entry *Dansevise* was truly beautiful… <3
The old era of that time has its own beauty and must was special.. 🙂
It was the golden era of Beatles.. 🙂
What a coincidence that the boy band that will gonna represent my adored Denmark in the upcoming Diamond Vision are called the danish Beatles from the danish media.. 🙂
‘Dansevise’ is one of my favorite song in ’60 decade.Good road and I wish to meet your wife Jorgen.Grethe & Jorgen Ingmann together!
Just realized, and surprised no one has mentioned this earlier, but with Udo Jurgens also passing earlier, would the ESC do a tribute, perhaps in the semifinal interval? Time will tell I guess.
RIP Jorgen. I found this song about a year ago, very good for that period in the ESC.
Translation of Mannes comment: The best of the Danish winners
Oh….He was 89 years old….He must managed to live full life…
Rest In Love..
Never 4gotten..
So sad! Jørgen and Grethe are a piece of Danish music history and the are both gone 🙁 RIP Love Dansevise <3
Rest in peace Jorgen 🙁
Den bästa av Danmarks vinnare
RIP
At least he died feeling no pain.
He probably was reasing wiwibloggs when he died 🙁 RIP IN PEACE