Joy Fleming (Erna Straube) represented Germany at Eurovision 1975 and although she finished 17th from 19 entrants, she won legions of fans for her energetic, soulful and unique performance in that year. She also tried unsuccessfully to be selected again for Eurovision up until 2004. How sad, we never got to see Joy perform on the Eurovision stage again.
She continued a stellar career for over 50 years as a celebrated and accomplished singer of Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Pop, and Disco. She was the lead singer of 4 bands, released 25 albums, 46 singles and EP’s, and 9 Compilations and was a celebrated German actor.
Sadly, she died in 2017 and was mourned deeply by her fans.
The fact that Erna chose “Joy” as her stage name tells us everything about what she stood for and what she hoped her music would convey. The ease of her singing and the joy she expresses is a sight to behold. Vale Joy.