Eurovision Legend Clodagh Rodgers Dies Aged 75
The music industry is mourning the loss of Clodagh Rodgers, the Northern Irish singer who represented the UK in the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest. According to a report from The Express, Rodgers passed away on Friday after a short illness, her son Sam Sorbie confirmed in a Facebook post on Saturday. (Source: The Express)
Rodgers, who was born on March 5, 1947, in Northern Ireland, had a long and illustrious music career. She began singing professionally at the age of thirteen, when she opened for Michael Holliday. Her father, a dancehall tour promoter, helped her sign with Decca in 1962, where her earliest singles were produced by Shel Talmy. (Source: The Express)
In 1971, Rodgers represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, singing "Jack In The Box". She finished in fourth place, behind Monaco, Spain, and Germany, with a total of 98 points. The single reached number four on the UK Singles Chart, her third UK Top 10 success and remained her most famous hit to date. (Source: The Express)
In a heartfelt tribute, Rodgers’ son Sam Sorbie penned: "With a heavy heart, my dear beautiful mum Clodagh has sadly passed away after battling an illness for the last three years. She passed away peacefully yesterday surrounded by her family in Cobham. Mum has lived an incredible life, full of love and happiness. Her fantastic career performing, traveling the world, devoting her life to her two sons and being the rock of this family. Life will not be the same without Mum, but she will finally be at peace now with dad, nanny and pappa." (Source: The Express)
Fans and fellow musicians have been paying tribute to Rodgers on social media, with one fan writing: "All our condolences Sam and sincere thanks for informing us here in such a personal and timely way at this time of great personal bereavement. It means more than I can say to those many of us who loved your wonderful mum from afar." Another fan commented: "So sorry to hear this Sam. Those of us on here realise what a special lady she was. A great talent and lovely person. Much underrated." (Source: The Express)
Rodgers’ TV debut came on 26 September 1962, appearing as a guest on BBC TV’s Adam Faith Show performing "Let’s Jump the Broomstick". She went on to make several television appearances and became a household name. In 2001, the retired singer played a recurring character in the ITV police drama series "The Bill". According to The Express, Rodgers will be remembered for her fantastic career and her devotion to her family. (Source: The Express)
