Eurovision Icons & Legends: The Artists Who Made History

Welcome to Icons & Legends, a trivia celebration of Eurovision's most influential and successful artists. This quiz honors the performers who transcended the competition to achieve international stardom, the winners who set records, and the legends whose performances remain unforgettable decades later.

Eurovision's Greatest Success Stories

The Eurovision Song Contest has launched countless careers since 1956, but certain artists stand above the rest as true icons. These performers didn't just win a competition—they changed music history, broke records, and became global superstars.

This quiz tests your knowledge of Eurovision's legendary artists:

ABBA (Sweden, 1974): "Waterloo" launched the world's most successful Eurovision act, selling over 400 million records
Celine Dion (Switzerland, 1988): Won with "Ne partez pas sans moi" before becoming a global superstar
Loreen (Sweden, 2012 & 2023): First woman to win twice, with "Euphoria" and "Tattoo"
Duncan Laurence (Netherlands, 2019): "Arcade" became one of Eurovision's most-streamed winners
Alexander Rybak (Norway, 2009): "Fairytale" scored a record-breaking 387 points
Måns Zelmerlöw (Sweden, 2015): "Heroes" featured innovative projection technology
Conchita Wurst (Austria, 2014): "Rise Like a Phoenix" became an anthem for diversity

What Makes an Eurovision Icon?

Eurovision icons share certain qualities that elevate them beyond typical competition winners:

Lasting Impact: Their songs remain popular years or decades after victory
International Success: They achieved careers beyond Eurovision and their home countries
Record-Breaking Performances: They set voting records or achieved historic firsts
Cultural Significance: Their victories represented important moments in music or social history
Memorable Staging: Their performances became iconic through innovation and artistry

ABBA: The Ultimate Eurovision Legend

No discussion of Eurovision icons is complete without ABBA. Their 1974 victory with "Waterloo" marked a turning point in Eurovision history, introducing a new level of pop showmanship and commercial appeal. The Swedish supergroup went on to become one of the best-selling music acts of all time, with hits like "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," and "Take a Chance on Me."

In 2005, during Eurovision's 50th anniversary celebration, "Waterloo" was voted the best song in the competition's history—a testament to its enduring appeal and ABBA's legendary status.

Modern Legends: Loreen's Historic Double Victory

Loreen made Eurovision history by becoming the first woman and second person ever to win the contest twice. Her 2012 victory with "Euphoria" introduced a new era of electronic pop to Eurovision, while her 2023 triumph with "Tattoo" proved her artistry had only grown stronger. Both songs achieved massive commercial success and critical acclaim beyond the competition.

Record-Breaking Performances

Several Eurovision icons set records that defined eras of the competition:

Alexander Rybak's 387 points (2009): Highest score under the previous voting system
Salvador Sobral (Portugal, 2017): "Amar pelos dois" won with understated artistry, proving ballads still resonate
Netta (Israel, 2018): "Toy" became a viral sensation with its unique sound and feminist message
Kalush Orchestra (Ukraine, 2022): "Stefania" achieved record public vote support

Icons Who Didn't Win

Not all Eurovision legends won the competition. Some iconic performers achieved lasting fame despite placing lower:

Cliff Richard (UK, 1968): Finished 2nd but became a British music legend
Olivia Newton-John (UK, 1974): Placed 4th before international stardom
Julio Iglesias (Spain, 1970): Finished 4th but sold over 300 million records worldwide
Céline Dion's earlier attempts: Before her 1988 victory, she competed nationally multiple times

Test Your Knowledge of Eurovision Royalty

This quiz challenges you to remember Eurovision's greatest artists and their achievements. Can you name the year ABBA won? Do you remember which country Celine Dion represented? Can you identify the song that gave Loreen her first victory?

Questions range from easy (recognizing famous winners) to hard (obscure facts about legendary performances, record-breaking scores, and career details). Whether you're a longtime Eurovision fan or discovering these icons for the first time, this quiz celebrates the artists who made Eurovision a launching pad for global success.

The Legacy Continues

Every year, new artists compete for the chance to join Eurovision's pantheon of icons and legends. Some will achieve brief fame, others will build lasting careers, and a select few will transcend the competition to become true legends whose music and performances inspire future generations.

Ready to test your knowledge of Eurovision's greatest artists? Select your difficulty level and discover how well you know the icons and legends who made Eurovision history!