The morning did not start well with Morten from Norway informing me of the death of HEDDY LESTER. As usual Norbert of ESC Dublin to Amsterdam wrote about it and also shared it for ESC Covers.
Heddy Lester (born Heddy Affolter, 18 June 1950 – 29 January 2023) was a Dutch singer and actress, best known outside the Netherlands for her participation in the 1977 Eurovision Song Contest with the song De Mallemolen.
Heddy Lester was born in Amsterdam. Her professional career started with Gert Balke as the duo April Shower, who had a minor hit with Railroad Song in 1971. Her father ran a restaurant in Amsterdam, where she met singer Ramses Shaffy, with whom she started touring. Heddy launched her solo career in 1974.
In 1977, her song De Mallemolen (The Merry-Go-Round), with music written by her brother Frank, was chosen by a celebrity panel as the winner in the Dutch Eurovision selection. She went forward to take part in the 22nd Eurovision Song Contest, held in London on 7 May. Although De Mallemolen had been considered a strong contender prior to the contest, it could only manage a disappointing 12th-place finish of 18 entries.
After her Eurovision appearance, Lester worked in a variety of both musical and dramatic stage roles.
Heddy Lester died on 29 January 2023, at the age of 72.
There is also an English version THE WORLD KEEPS TURNING.
