10 May – He played for whole days on his piano

Do you have a favourite Eurovision band, particularly one from the 20th Century? A few have won the big prize, but far fewer than you would think.

In the late 1980s, the then Yugoslavia got the wind in the sails and sent a succession of bands, some of which set down a mark to a possible win. Then, in 1989, it came. Riva, fronted by today’s birthday girl Emilija Kokić won the last time the contest was in Switzerland. It was a close thing, maybe closer than the next Swiss contest will be. Emilija and her pals scored fewer maxima than the runners-up, and it did come down to the last set of votes – ironically from Yugislavia. Within a few years, Yugoslavia had had their swansong at our favourite TV show.

Emilija is 57 today.

Sretan rođendan, Emilija!