Dschinghis Khan
“Dschinghis Khan”
1979 – Germany
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Dschinghis Khan comprises Leslie Mandoki (Hungary), Louis Hendrik Potgieter (South Africa), Edina Pop (Hungary), Henriette Heichel (the Netherlands), plus Wolfgang Heichel and Steve Bender (both Germany).
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Dschinghis Khan is said to be the first German band to be formed after a casting for the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1979 composer Ralph Siegel selected the members and named them after the song title.
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The band is popular for two highly successful songs: the Eurovision song ‘Dschinghis Khan’ and the later ‘Moskau’.
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Dressed as the Golden Hordes, the six brought something really new to the Eurovision Song Contest. Their mixture of colours, clothes and choreography attracted the masses.
Leslie Mandoki is still an active musician and music producer. Edina Pop is still present in the charts with her solo CDs.
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Their Eurovision song stormed the charts worldwide. In the 80s, the song was one of the most successful German acts around the globe.
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The band received gold and platinum discs in approximately 20 countries (including Finland, Australia and Switzerland).
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In 1993 Louis Hendrik Potgieter died in Cape Town.
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The daughter of Steven Bender participated in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest as part of the group MeKaDo.
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In 2004 the band celebrated its 25th stage anniversary.