Birthe Wilke

Birthe Wilke (born, March 19, 1936) is a popular Danish singer. She grew up in a musical family in Copenhagen's Vesterbro area.

Already as a teenager she won a talent competition at the National Scala Theatre in Copenhagen, sang as soloist with Bruno Henriksen's Orchestra at Tivoli and made her first recording. She was named "Denmark's Doris Day" and recorded "Que sera sera" in 1956.

After qualifying in the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix to represent Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest, she participated in Eurovision Song Contest 1957 where she sang [http://www.diggiloo.net/?1957dk ’’Skibet Skal Sejle I Nat’’] (literal translation, The Ship is Leaving Tonight) with Gustav Winckler. They ranked number 3, and stunned television audiences with a 32-second long kiss at the end of their performance.

She also participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1959 where she sang solo [http://www.diggiloo.net/?1959dk ’’Uh-Jeg Ville Ønske Jeg Var Dig’’] (”'Oh - I wish I were you”'). She ranked number 5.

In the late 1950s she toured to Poland, West Germany and U.S..

In 1961 she played a nighclub singer in the Danish film Reptilicus. She sang "Tivoli Nights."

In 1966 she retired from public life, but made a short-lived return in 1973.

In addition to her recording successes, she participated in radio, television, advertising and commercial film.

References

* Laursen, Carsten Michael (1999). ""Top-Pop: Navne i dansk pop 1950-2000"' ("Top-Pop: Names in Danish Pop 1950-2000"). L&R Fakta. ISBN 87-614-0086-6.