Wann - Camillo

The funny thing about record fairs is that sometimes you can get yourself a good deal. Having bought a dozen singles at the stand of a Eurovision specialist, I spotted this single for a few euros but passed on it. When I saw the same single a few stands further down for just one euro, I became more interested in its contents. 

It turns out that this EP features a German version of 'Petit Bonhomme', the song with which Camillo represented Luxembourg at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1962. 'Du kleiner Mann' appears as the third track on this EP, which might seem an odd choice.

My collection: 7" single no. 7075
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 November 2023
Tracks: 'Wann', 'Das Gluck, von demich einst getraumt' / 'Du kleiner Mann', 'Wenn ein Stern vom Himmel fallt'

Petit Bonhomme - Camillo

This cheerful young man is called Camillo Felgen, born in Esch-sur-Alzette in Luxembourg on 17 November 1920. He started his career as a teacher. During the Second World War, Felgen was a translator for the German occupiers, and then a reporter with a French-language newspaper. He studied theater and opera in Brussels and Liège; in 1946, he joined Radio Luxembourg as a chorus singer and a French-language reporter. In 1949, the mastering of his baritone completed his theatre and opera studies. 

In 1951, he had his first international hit record, 'Bonjour les amies' ('Hello Friends'). The song went on to become the theme song for his national broadcaster. He represented his home country in the Eurovision Song Contest 1960 with 'So laang we's du do bast', becoming the first Luxembourger and the first male contestant to represent Luxembourg and the first participant to sing in Luxembourgish. He finished last with only one point. Two years later he entered the contest again, this time doing much better by finishing in third place with the song 'Petit bonhomme'. 

From 1965 until 1973, Felgen was the host and commentator for the German broadcasts of Jeux Sans Frontières (Spiel Ohne Grenzen). He died in his birthplace on 16 July 2005. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6355
Found: Discogs.com, received 19 March 2021
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: 'Petit bonhomme', 'Ballade pour une trompette' / 'Le tango de minuit', 'Demain'