`I did it for my dad’ – Johnny Logan tells (1994)

Johnny Logan - he flew his family home to Ireland for Christmas.

Special Christmas for Eurovision Song Contest winner

Flashback to Variety Today 1994

By SHIRLEY BROUN

WHEN Johnny Logan returned to his family on the Queensland Gold Coast in Australia recently (1994), he had one major goal in mind - to take them all back to Ireland for Christmas.

"That's what dad would have wanted," said Johnny. "It was always his dream to have a family reunion back in his homeland and, although he can't be there, I know he would want Mum and all the family to be together this Christmas, so I am flying them all home."

If all emotions could be touched in one interview, this was certainly the one that achieved it. The tears swelled as we spoke of his father, Irish tenor and much-loved Gold Coast resident of many years Patrick O'Hagan, who died last Easter, only five days before Johnny was due home for a special `Variety Club Awards night' at which is father was to be honoured.

Having followed in his father's footsteps, Johnny said Patrick had been his inspiration. "I wanted to be just like him and for him to be proud of me, as I was of him," he said.
"Ironically, as a teenager known by his family name Sean Sherrard, Johnny's first real performance before a crowd was singing the Cat Stevens number `Father and Son'. The two always shared a common bond and a vocal talent which brought many successes. The talented Irish tenor says he was lucky to have been given a voice from his father and dramatics from his mother.

Johnny Logan is far from being `just a singer' as this station in life has certainly brought him many successes. The talented singer/songwriter is a three time winner of the prestigious Eurovision Song Contest, the only artist in history to achieve such success - and up against some tough opposition including Cliff Richard.

In 1980 he sang the winning song `What's Another Year', his 1987 win was as the singer/songwriter of `Hold Me Now' and in 1992 he wrote the winning song `Why Me'. In 1993 he was invited back as a guest performer at the Eurovision Song contest where he wowed the audiences with `Voices', backed by a 189-member choir.

Ask Johnny what he's been up to lately (besides his recent season at Twin Towns Services Club at Tweed Heads on the Gold Coast) and it is like opening the flood gate because he is doing so much it is hard to know where to begin. Among his recent `gigs' was in the starring role of a major opera called `Which Witch' in Norway.

While expounding his operatic skills in Norway, Johnny was flying to Germany to appear in four episodes of a 26-episode detective series, for which he also wrote the score. He has appeared in musicals in London's famed West End and has recently been offered another role in `Lonely Hearts', which he is considering.

His Patrick Swayze looks, make Johnny ideal for roles on the big movie screens as well, which is one of his ambitions. "I think 1994 will be my most successful year to date with an opportunity to fulfill all my loves of acting, singing and songwriting. There is a big demand for new songs once again in Europe - and that is one of my strengths," said Johnny.

One of his biggest fans is his mother: "Johnny writes from the heart and that is why he is so successful," she said.

His next album, yet untitled, is due out in May. "We've only finished three of the 10 tracks so far, with much work still to be be done," he said.

Nevertheless, Johnny has plans to release a new single which he wrote called `Heal This Heart' in the near future and - after a brief rendition of the song over lunch - it was clear to me the Logan magic has struck again with another potential `Top 10'. He would also like to do a concert tour featuring traditional Irish instruments and singing.

Johnny, 39, puts his success down to hard work and a little luck. Married with three children aged 14, 9 and 2, Johnny splits his time between two bases in Dublin and Germany. "I've spent 15 days in the past 10 months at home in Dublin," he said. He was, however, home for Christmas.

UPDATE (2012): Born Sean Patrick Michael Sherrard on May 13, 1954 in Frankston, Victoria, Australia. He is married to Ailis Sherrard. He adopted the stage name Johnny Logan after the main character of the film `Johnny Guitar' and released his first single in 1978. Johnny Logan is still often referred to as `Mr Eurovision' and throughout his career has released 40 singles and 19 albums. In 2005 `Hold Me Now' was voted as the third most popular song in the Eurovision history at the 50th Anniversary concert in Copenhagan, Denmark. `What's Another Year' was also nominated amongst the 14 finalists. Logan has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide. `Hold Me Now' is also a global million-seller. On December 16, 2012, Johnny Logan appeared as a musical guest on XFactor (Romania).

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