Saturday, May. 16, 2009

Cliff Notes a Scandal

Forty years later, the truth can be told: according to a Spanish documentary, dictator Francisco Franco rigged the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest to boost Spain's flagging tourism. British crooner Cliff Richard, whose entry "Congratulations" was a popular favorite, lost to Spanish entry "La La La", by Massiel.

Many years later, it continues to play on Sir Cliff's mind. "I've lived with this number two thing for so many years, it would be wonderful if someone official from the contest turned around and said: 'Cliff, you won that darn thing after all,'" he has said.

See a TIME package on Eurovision's memorable moments.