The first voice heard in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest belonged to Jetty Paerl. Representing the Netherlands at the inaugural 1956 competition, she opened the event with the song De vogels van Holland. This performance established her as a pivotal figure in European music history, marking a significant milestone within her long career as a singer.
Wartime Activities and Radio Oranje
Born in Amsterdam in 1921, Paerl spent her early life in the Netherlands. Following the German invasion in May 1940, she escaped to an allied location alongside her parents and the swimmer Willy den Ouden. During this period, she worked in a clothing shop on New Bond Street while contributing to Radio Oranje. This broadcast service, produced by the Dutch government-in-exile, featured Paerl singing compositions by Louis Davids and Dirk Witte that mocked the Nazis and the National Socialist Movement. Her role earned her the nickname Jetje van Radio Oranje among listeners.
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As the conflict neared its end, Paerl enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary Corps of the Royal Netherlands Army. Following the liberation of the Netherlands in May 1945, she traveled through Zeeland to reach her home country, eventually taking up a station in Rotterdam. During this time, she confirmed the survival of both of her elder brothers; one had remained in the Netherlands throughout the war, while the other had sought refuge in Switzerland.
Professional Music Career and Eurovision
In 1951, Paerl married the illustrator Cees Bantzinger. Her professional profile grew in 1956 when she finished in second place at the Nationaal Songfestival with De vogels van Holland, a track written by Annie M.G. Schmidt and composed by Cor Lemaire. This result secured her place at the first Eurovision Song Contest. Beyond her contribution to the contest, she released two EPs in 1957 and an album titled Jetje van Radio Oranje in 1970.
Personal Life and Later Years
The stability of Paerl's private life shifted in 1985 when journalist Adriaan Venema confronted her husband regarding his brief affiliation with the National Socialist Movement during the early years of the war. Following the disclosure of letters confirming this past membership, Bantzinger died by suicide. Paerl continued her life until her own passing on 22 August 2013, at the age of 92, in Amstelveen. She also appears in the 1973–74 documentary series The World at War.
Fast facts
- Born: 1921, Amsterdam
- Died: 22 August 2013, Amstelveen
- Nationality: Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Occupations: Singer, resistance fighter, Engelandvaarder
- Eurovision debut: 1956
- Spouse: Cees Bantzinger
Questions readers ask
What song did Jetty Paerl sing at the first Eurovision Song Contest?
She performed the song De vogels van Holland.
Why was she known as Jetje van Radio Oranje?
She earned the nickname through her vocal contributions to the Radio Oranje broadcasts, where she performed songs criticizing the Nazis and the NSB.
Achievements
- Worked as singer, resistance fighter and Engelandvaarder
