Dana Rosemary Scallon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dana Rosemary Scallon
Scallon in 2004
Member of the European Parliament
In office 11 June 1999 – 11 June 2004
Constituency	Connacht–Ulster
Personal details
Born	Rosemary Brown (1950-08-30) 30 August 1950 (age 74) Islington, London, England
Citizenship	Ireland United Kingdom United States
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Damien Scallon ​ (m. 1978)​
Children	4
Musical career
Also known as	Dana
Origin	Derry, Northern Ireland
Genres	Celtic folk pop Christian
Years active	1967–present
Labels	Rex Decca GTO Creole Warwick Fanfare Epic Heart Beat Lite Ritz Word DS Music Cherry Red FOD Records

Dana Rosemary Scallon (born Rosemary Brown on 30 August 1950), known as Dana, is a famous Irish singer, songwriter, and politician.

She became well-known as a schoolgirl when she won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970. Her winning song, "All Kinds of Everything", sold millions of copies worldwide. This success launched her music career.

Later, Dana entered the world of politics. She ran for president of Ireland in 1997 but didn't win. However, in 1999, she was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Connacht–Ulster area. She served as an MEP until 2004. She also ran for president again in 2011.

Dana's Early Life and Music Beginnings

Dana Rosemary Scallon was born Rosemary Brown in London, England. She was one of seven children. Her father, Robert Brown, was from Derry, Northern Ireland. He moved his family to London to find work after World War II. When Dana was five, her family moved back to Derry. She grew up in the Creggan and Bogside areas.

At just six years old, Dana won her first talent show. Other kids in her neighborhood gave her the nickname "Dana." This Irish word means "bold" or "mischievous." They called her this because she liked to practice judo moves. Dana went to Thornhill College, a Catholic girls' school in Derry. When she was 14, she worked a summer job at a chewing gum factory.

Just before her 16th birthday, Dana signed with Rex Records. She started performing as "Dana." Her first song was "Sixteen." She also wrote the B-side song, "Little Girl Blue." While studying music and English, she became popular in Dublin's music clubs. In 1968, she was named Queen of Cabaret.

Dana was encouraged to try out for the Irish National Song Contest. This contest chooses who will represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1969, she came in second place.

Eurovision Victory and Pop Stardom

Dana arriving in Amsterdam for the Eurovision Song Contest in March 1970.

In December 1969, Dana was asked to try for the Irish National Song Contest again. The producers thought the song "All Kinds of Everything" would be perfect for her. Her second try was a big success!

On 21 March 1970, Dana, who was 18 and still in school, performed "All Kinds of Everything" at the Eurovision finals. The event was held in Amsterdam. About two hundred million people watched her perform. She sat on a stool, wearing a white mini-dress. She was the last of twelve singers to perform that night.

After all the votes were counted, Dana was announced as the winner! She scored 32 points. This was Ireland's first victory in the contest. They have since won a record seven times.

The winning song was written by Derry Lindsay and Jackie Smith. It quickly became a number one hit in Ireland before the contest. It stayed at the top for nine weeks. It also reached number one in the UK for two weeks. The song was popular in many other countries too. "All Kinds of Everything" sold over two million copies worldwide.

Dana's first album, also called All Kinds of Everything, came out in June 1970. It included some songs she helped write. Her next few songs didn't do as well. But then, "Who Put the Lights Out" became a hit in Ireland and the UK in 1971. After a few more years, "Sunday Monday Tuesday" was a top 5 hit in Ireland in 1973.

In 1974, Dana released "Please Tell Him That I Said Hello." This song became a top 10 hit in both Ireland and the UK. She even recorded a German version of the song. Dana also released songs in French and Japanese.

Her Christmas song, "It's Gonna be a Cold Cold Christmas," was a big hit in 1975. It reached number 4 in the UK and number 3 in Ireland. That year, she won awards for Best Female Singer in Britain. In 1976, her song "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again" was a UK hit.

Later in 1976, Dana had a problem with her voice. She needed surgery on her vocal cord. Some newspapers even reported that she might not be able to sing again. But after working with a singing teacher, she was able to perform again.

In 1979, Dana released her album The Girl is Back. One song from it, "Something's Cookin' in the Kitchen," was a hit in Ireland and the UK.

A new part of her career began after Pope John Paul II visited Ireland in 1979. This inspired Dana and her husband to write "Totus Tuus," which became a number one hit in Ireland.

Outside of her music, Dana was also popular on TV and in movies. She acted in a children's adventure film called Flight of the Doves in 1971. She also performed in many live shows and had her own TV and radio shows with the BBC.

Christian Music and New Beginnings

In 1980, Dana's song "Totus Tuus" (Latin for "Totally Yours") was a big hit in Ireland. This led her to explore the Christian music market in America. She signed a record deal with Word Records.

Her album Everything is Beautiful was released in 1980. It became her best-selling album in the UK. She then released Totally Yours, her first Christian album.

In 1982, Dana released a pop album called Magic. It included songs written by her younger brothers. She also recorded "Yer Man" with the Northern Ireland 1982 World Cup Squad for the World Cup. Her second Christian album, Let There Be Love, followed.

Dana also starred in the play Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in London's West End. She played Snow White for over fourteen years in different cities.

In 1984, she toured America to promote her Christian albums. She performed in concert halls, churches, and on TV and radio.

In 1985, Dana released her autobiography, Dana – An Autobiography. It shared her life story and her growing faith. At the same time, she released a 1950s tribute album, If I Give My Heart to You. A song from it, "Little Things Mean a Lot," was a hit in Ireland and the UK.

In 1987, Dana was invited to perform "Totus Tuus" for Pope John Paul II in New Orleans. The Pope personally thanked her for writing the song.

Political Career and Public Life

Becoming an MEP

In 1997, Dana was asked to run for president of Ireland. She wasn't interested in politics at first. But after many requests, she decided to run as an Independent candidate. She became the first presidential candidate to be nominated by County and City Councils.

On election day, 31 October, Dana received 13.8% of the votes. She came in third place. She told reporters, "I may not be a president, but I am a precedent."

In 1999, Dana became a US citizen. That same year, she ran again as an independent. This time, she won a seat in the European Parliament. She represented the Connacht–Ulster area. As an MEP, she spoke out against divorce and same-sex marriage. She also had some disagreements with the EU. Dana refused to join any political party. Her time as an MEP meant her eight-year stay in the US came to an end.

Later Career and Presidential Campaigns

In 2002, Dana ran for a seat in the Irish general election but was not successful. In June 2004, she lost her European Parliament seat.

In 2005, Dana returned to entertainment. She appeared on an RTÉ television show where she focused on fitness. In 2006, she competed in the RTÉ dance show Celebrity Jigs 'n' Reels and came in second. That same year, she and her husband started their own music label, DS Music Productions. They released a children's album and DVD called Good Morning Jesus in 2007 and 2008.

In 2007, Dana released her second autobiography, All Kinds of Everything. It focused on her political journey. She also released a new album, A Thing Called Love.

In 2009, Dana became a judge on The All Ireland Talent Show. In 2011, she was a contestant on Celebrity Bainisteoir, a reality TV show. However, she had to leave the show when she announced she would run for president of Ireland again.

2011 Presidential Election

On 19 September 2011, Dana announced she would seek a nomination for the Irish presidential election. She was nominated by several county councils and became one of seven candidates.

During a debate, Dana talked about her family's recent losses. She also showed a copy of the EU Constitution. She said she had the knowledge to protect Ireland's independence. When asked if she would refuse to sign a bill that threatened the Irish Constitution, she said, "You bet your boots I would." However, the President can only refer a bill for review, not veto it.

Dana stated that she was not "anti-Europe." She believed the idea of Europe was good and wanted Ireland to be part of it.

It was revealed that Dana had dual US and Irish citizenship. She said she had not hidden this information. She explained that her US citizenship, which involved an oath of allegiance to the US, was not an issue.

Voting for the election took place on 27 October. Dana received 2.9% of the votes and came in sixth place.

Personal Life

On 5 October 1978, Dana married hotelier Damien Scallon in Derry. They first met in 1970 after a street was named "Dana Place" to celebrate her Eurovision win. After their honeymoon, they made their home in Rostrevor, County Down. They have four children.

As of 2011, the Scallons were living in Claregalway, County Galway.

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

• All Kinds of Everything (1970)
• Have a Nice Day (1975)
• Love Songs & Fairytales (1976)
• The Girl is Back (1979)
• Everything is Beautiful (1980) (UK #43)
• Totally Yours (1981)
• Magic (1982)
• Let There Be Love (1983)
• Please Tell Him That I Said Hello (1984)
• If I Give My Heart to You (1985)
• In the Palm Of His Hand (1987)
• No Greater Love (1988)
• The Gift of Love (1989)
• Dana's Ireland (1990)
• The Rosary (1991)
• Lady of Knock (1992)
• Hail Holy Queen (1993)
• Say Yes! (1994)
• The Healing Rosary (1995)
• Heavenly Portrait (1996)
• Humble Myself (1997)
• Forever Christmas (1998)
• Stations of The Cross (1999)
• Perfect Gift (2004)
• In Memory of Me (2005)
• Totus Tuus (2006)
• Good Morning Jesus! (2007)
• A Thing Called Love (2008)
• Praise & Thanks (2012)
• Ave Maria (2013)
• My Time (2019)

Compilation albums

• The World of Dana (1975)
• All Kinds of Everything (1990)
• Dana The Collection (1996)
• The Best of Dana (1998)
• The GTO Years (2010)

Singles

Images for kids

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  Scallon in 1999