Guildo Horn, a German Schlager singer, is best known for his flamboyant and deliberately kitschy performances, especially his Eurovision Song Contest entry in 1998. His performance, a chaotic and joyful spectacle, has become iconic and remains a talking point in Eurovision history.
Horn, born Horst Köhler in 1963, adopted the persona of “Guildo Horn” as a stage name. He cultivated an image of a genial, somewhat eccentric, and unashamedly sentimental performer. His music, rooted in traditional German Schlager, was given a playful and ironic twist, making it appealing to a wider, and often younger, audience.
His Eurovision entry, “Guildo hat euch lieb!” (Guildo loves you!), perfectly encapsulated his style. The song itself is a catchy and upbeat Schlager tune, but it was the performance that truly set it apart. Horn, dressed in a sequined suit, interacted with the audience in a way rarely seen on the Eurovision stage. He climbed onto the stage rigging, played the piano, and generally created an atmosphere of uninhibited fun and spontaneity.
Adding to the theatrical chaos were “Die Orthopädischen Strümpfe” (The Orthopedic Stockings), Horn’s backing band. Dressed in equally outlandish outfits, they provided energetic support and added to the overall sense of controlled mayhem. The performance included props such as hand-held bells distributed to the audience, further encouraging participation and blurring the lines between performer and spectator.
Despite, or perhaps because of, the deliberately over-the-top nature of the performance, “Guildo hat euch lieb!” finished seventh in the contest. This was a significant achievement for Germany at the time, as the country had been experiencing a period of relative underperformance in Eurovision. Horn’s success was attributed to his ability to connect with the audience on a personal level, breaking down the often-stiff formality of the event.
Beyond the spectacle, Guildo Horn’s Eurovision performance was also a commentary on the contest itself. He embraced the kitsch and camp aspects of Eurovision, exaggerating them to the point of parody. By doing so, he challenged the seriousness with which some took the competition and reminded viewers that it was, above all, a celebration of music and cultural diversity.
In the years since Eurovision, Guildo Horn has continued to perform and record music. He remains a popular figure in Germany, known for his cheerful demeanor and his ability to bring joy to audiences. His Eurovision performance remains a highlight of his career and a memorable moment in the history of the contest, a testament to the power of embracing absurdity and connecting with an audience on a genuine, human level.
1200×630 guildo horn und das comeback des esc deutschland from www.schlagerplanet.com 
1067×600 guildo horn eurovision germany guildo horn video from haileysteadmand.blogspot.com 
750×421 guildo hat euch nicht lieb horn kritisiert esc entscheidung tvde from www.n-tv.de 
1500×1000 guildo horn offizielle webseite from www.guildo-horn.com