Robert Cogoi, who represented Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 1964, has aged aged 82.
Mirko Kogoj, better known by his stage name Robert Cogoi, was born in Châtelet in southern Belgium on October 25 1939 to Yugoslav parents. In 1962, he won first prize at the Grand Prix International des Variétés in Oostende on the Belgian coast. His winning song “Si un jour” became a hit in France and was certified gold.
In 1964, Robert was internally selected by RTBF to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 1964 in Copenhagen and was the first ever Belgian entrant to be internally selected. He finished 10th with “Près de ma rivière”. He continued to be successful throughout the 60’s.
In 1982, Robert sang the French version of the official Belgian World Cup song “Les Diables Rouges vont en Espagne”, After many years out of spotlight, he made an appearance at the Belgian national final in 2005 alongside other former Belgian entrants. In 2004, he was awarded the Order of the Crown by King Albert II of Belgium for services to music.
The Eurovoix team would like to express our condolences to Robert Cogoi’s family and friends at this difficult time.
Image Source: Sud Info | Source: VRT
Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest
Belgium was one of the original seven nations to participate in the first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. To date, the country has won the contest only once in 1986. Sandra Kim won the contest with the song “J’aime la vie”, her victory was not without controversy when it emerged that Sandra was just 13 years old, two years younger than the age restriction at the time. In the late 00s, Belgium struggled in the contest failing to reach the final annually from 2005 until 2010, when Tom Dice finished 6th in the final with 143 points. Belgium has finished last at the contest six times, including two sets of nul points.
