The Eurovision Song Contest 1976 was the twenty-first edition held on 3 April 1976 at the Congresgebouw in The Hague, Netherlands following Teach-In's victory in Stockholm the previous year. It was hosted by 1957 winner Corry Brokken, who became the first former contestant to act as presenter - she had come out of retirement at the request of the producer to host the show.
The winner was the United Kingdom, who recorded their third victory with the song Save Your Kisses for Me by Brotherhood of Man. It was the second year in a row that the first song in the running order had gone on to win the contest. Also, with over 80% of the total vote received, it remains the most successful song under the current scoring system.
The staging of 1976
A former Dutch entrant, Corry Brokken hosts the show.
Sweden withdrew because they thought the contest was too commercial. SVT also didn't want to host the contest again quite soon.
As a result, a new rule was instituted in that all of the participating countries had to pay for that particular year's contest.
Most countries decided to perform in English to attempt to achieve a better placing. Three songs sung in English placed in the top 5, the other two being performed in French.
The Congresgebouw would also host the 1980 contest, complete with a moving stage design. Video footage from the opening of this contest was re-used for the opening of the 1980 contest as well.
Waterloo & Robinson of Austria performed 157 claps in their song - a Eurovision record.
