With the American chart topper ‘Fly Robin Fly’ in the bag, then the Canadian number one, ‘Get Up And Boogie’, as a follow up, no way Germany weren’t going to win the Eurovision Song Contest in 1977 with Silver Convention.
Well that seemed to be the lay of the land, when the German broadcaster internally selected, the female trio of Penny McLean, Rhonda Heath and Ramona Wulf to represent them in London at the 22nd Eurovision Song Contest.
So the ladies arrived in the U.K to perform in sixth position with their entry, Telegram. Things did not go well when the first six juries, gave them no more than 9 points between them. The next three, Portugal, United Kingdom and Greece all awarded the song 8 points, and with fair to middling scores from the remaining juries, the group ended up in 8th place with 55 points.
Telegram – opinions from fans
In order to find out what Eurovision fans today think of this German entry from 1977, we asked our Eurovision Fan Panel. It includes team members as well as fans from all over the world.
Michael O. – I was quite the fan of Silver Convention in their days and had many of their records. I expected Telegram to give Germany their first ever win, but the 1977 contest produced some unexpected results. To me, with this song not winning, I felt the contest took two steps back after becoming more modern with Abba and Brotherhood Of Man in prior years. I still like the harmonies of Telegram and still listen to it now and again.
Andrew G. – The disco vibe with Silver Convention at Eurovision that year. I personally really like Telegram. Reminds me of so many classic disco dance tunes I still love to hear to this very day. I love the girls bright pink purple glamor costumes. And the minimal joining arm choreography. Going by style in 77 they were the queen’s. But song wise 8th place is all the glitter the lady’s got. And not the gold.
Amir B. – The face of the 70’s. I wasn’t born but I’m feeling the decade now with this song! Amazing! I love all in this song, the look and the voices are perfectly synchronized! This song is perfect and represent the 70’s!
Alvaro S. – Germany from their 1957 entry Telefon,Telefon to 1977 Telegram, I am still waiting for a future entry named after Whatsapp or Xoom 
Doina A. – Telegram was so enjoyable.These three young singers told a nice love story using simple lyrics and a rythmic melody. The sound of “Morse Code” can be heard from time to time, staying close to a Telegram just like the band’s chereography did, too. A dynamic song where the singers’s voices beautifully complemented each other. With their shiny costumes and testures, all this made the German entry Telegram pleasant to hear and dance to. Yes, I just remembered the ’70-80’s songs.
Pascal W. – Until a few minutes ago I didn’t even know that we’d ever put this song into the running. And it would have been better if we hadn’t. Usually I like disco music from the 70s and 80s, but unfortunately this song doesn’t suit my taste.
] Charlotte J. – This is catchy and actually quite enjoyable to listen to – in small doses. It’s probably not one, I will add to a playlist, but when it comes along, I don’t mind it. Nowadays, I find it too kitch, but to listen once in a while, I am quite entertained.
Wouter V. – bip bip bip beeep beeep beeep bip bip bip. Stop. And please never ask me to listen to this again
You can watch Silver Convention’s Eurovision entry, Telegram, below, and read a little about them after the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G20_lA3y7IQ
Silver Convention – a brief biography
The masterminds behind Silver Convention were producers, Sylvester Levay and Michael Kunze, who recorded the group’s debut hit Save Me, with session singers, and reached Number 8 in the Netherlands and Number 30 in the United Kingdom in 1975.
Ramona Wulf was the only member of the trio who performed at Eurovision, when Fly Robin Fly made Number One in 1975 in America and Norway, but Penny Mclean had joined by the time Get Up And Boogie was a major worldwide hit in 1976.
The first six singles by the group contained little more than the song titles repeated against a disco beat, but by the time Rhonda Heath joined in 1977, they were releasing more lyrical songs like Everybody’s Talking About Love.
Their Eurovision entry, Telegram, did best in Sweden, reaching number 4, but after Eurovision, the group didn’t have much chart success, eventually splitting in 1979. Silver Convention released five albums during their tenure.
