HistoryData
culture1960

Eurovision Song Contest 1960 — 5th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest

March 29, 1960

France won the 1960 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Tom Pillibi', marking the country's second victory in the competition's fifth edition.

Quick Facts

Year
1960
Category
culture

Key Facts

Edition
5th Eurovision Song Contest
Date
29 March 1960
Venue
Royal Festival Hall, London
Winning song
'Tom Pillibi' by Jacqueline Boyer (France)
Participating countries
13
Host broadcaster
BBC (UK)

By the Numbers

5
Edition
29
Date
13
Participating countries

Location

Map of London, United KingdomMap of London, United KingdomLondon, United Kingdom

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

The Netherlands, represented by NTS, had won the 1959 contest but declined to host the 1960 edition, having already staged the competition in 1958. This led the EBU to assign hosting duties to the BBC in the United Kingdom, the runner-up broadcaster from 1959.

Event

The Eurovision Song Contest 1960 was held on 29 March 1960 at the Royal Festival Hall in London, presented by Catherine Boyle. Thirteen countries participated, including Norway making its debut and Luxembourg returning after a one-year absence. France's Jacqueline Boyer performed 'Tom Pillibi', composed by André Popp and written by Pierre Cour.

Consequence

France claimed its second Eurovision victory with 'Tom Pillibi', while the United Kingdom finished runner-up for the second consecutive year and Monaco achieved its first top-three placement. Norway's debut expanded the contest's reach, and the event continued to grow as a major European broadcasting fixture.

Work

Eurovision Song Contest 1960 — 'Tom Pillibi'

by André Popp (composer), Pierre Cour (lyricist), performed by Jacqueline Boyermusic
France's second Eurovision win with 'Tom Pillibi' reinforced the contest's role as a showcase for European pop music, while Norway's debut and Luxembourg's return broadened the competition's international character.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 19601960195719581959196119621963Athletics at the 1960 Summer Olympics — athletics events at the OlympicsBasketball at the 1960 Summer Olympics — olympics 1960 CompetitionBeatlemania — intense fan frenzy for the British pop group The BeatlesCounterculture of the 1960s — cultural phenomenon that developed first in the United States and United Kingdom and spread throughout much of the Western world between the early 1960s and the early 1970s1960s — decade of the 1960s (1960-1969)1960 Summer Olympics medal tableHippie — person associated with 1960s counterculture1960 Formula One season — sports seasoneurovision-song-contest-1960-5th-edition-of-the-eurovision-1960