Johnny Logan (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Johnny Logan
Logan performing in 2017
Background information
Birth name	Seán Patrick Michael Sherrard
Born	(1954-05-13) 13 May 1954 (age 71) Frankston, Victoria, Australia
Origin	Ireland
Genres	Pop Celtic
Occupation(s)	Singer musician
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1978–present

Johnny Logan, born Seán Patrick Michael Sherrard on May 13, 1954, is a famous singer, songwriter, and musician. He was born in Australia but is Irish. He is super famous for winning the Eurovision Song Contest three times! He won twice as a singer and once as a songwriter.

Johnny won Eurovision in 1980 with his song "What's Another Year". This song was a huge hit, reaching number one in eight different countries. He won again in 1987 with "Hold Me Now". This song was also a big success, topping the charts in Israel, Ireland, and Belgium. For a long time, he was the only solo artist to win twice.

Johnny also wrote two Eurovision songs for singer Linda Martin. "Terminal 3" came in second place in 1984. "Why Me?" won the contest in 1992. This makes Johnny one of only a few people to have written two winning Eurovision songs.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Johnny Logan was born Seán Patrick Michael Sherrard on May 13, 1954, in Frankston, Australia. His father, Charles Alphonsus Sherrard, was a famous Irish singer known as Patrick O'Hagan. His father was touring Australia when Johnny was born.

When Johnny was three years old, his family moved back to Ireland. They settled in Howth, a town in County Dublin. By the age of 13, Johnny had learned to play the guitar. He also started writing his own songs. After finishing school, he worked as an electrician. At the same time, he performed in pubs and cabaret shows.

Johnny also acted in musicals. In 1977, he played Adam in the Irish musical Adam and Eve. He also played Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Music Career Highlights

First Eurovision Victory

Johnny Logan at the Eurovision Song Contest 1980

Johnny Logan chose his stage name from the main character in the film Johnny Guitar. He released his first song in 1978. He first tried to enter Eurovision in 1979. He came third in the Irish competition with his song "Angie." Fans in Ireland voted him "Best New Male Artist."

In 1980, Johnny tried for Eurovision again. He sang "What's Another Year" by Shay Healy. He won the Irish final on March 9 in Dublin. Representing Ireland in the Netherlands, Johnny won the Eurovision Song Contest on April 19. The song became a huge hit across Europe and reached number one in the UK.

After his big win, Johnny released more songs. However, some of his next songs did not do as well. He felt this was due to poor management and his own lack of experience. In 1983, he tried a comeback with "Becoming Electric," but it did not become a hit. In 1985, his album Straight From The Heart also did not chart.

Johnny also helped with a charity song called "You'll Never Walk Alone" in 1985. This song raised money for the Bradford City Disaster Fund. In 1986, he tried a new stage name, Logan, and released "Stab in the Back," but it also did not chart.

Second Eurovision Victory

In 1987, Johnny Logan decided to try Eurovision one more time. He sang his own song, "Hold Me Now." He represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgium. He won the contest, making him the first person to win Eurovision twice!

"Hold Me Now" became a very popular song across Europe. It reached number two in the UK charts. After this, Johnny released a cover of the 10cc song "I'm Not in Love". He also released an album called Hold Me Now. In 1988, his song "Heartland" was a hit in Ireland. From then on, he focused on his music career in Ireland and Europe.

In 1990, Johnny recorded a country version of "Miss You Nights". He worked with The Jordanaires, who were Elvis Presley's backing band. He also wrote and sang the theme song "Angels Don't Hide" for a German TV show.

Third Eurovision Victory as a Songwriter

Johnny Logan had written "Terminal 3" for Linda Martin in the Eurovision Song Contest 1984. That song came in second place. In 1992, he worked with Linda Martin again. He gave her another one of his songs, "Why Me". This song became the Irish entry for the finals in Sweden.

"Why Me?" won the contest, making Johnny Logan the most successful artist in Eurovision history. He had three wins in total. He is the only lead singer to have sung two winning songs. He is also one of only five people to have written or composed two winning songs.

On April 16, 1997, Johnny Logan left his handprints in concrete. This was for the Walk of Fame in Rotterdam, which is a large Star Boulevard in Europe.

Recent Career

Johnny Logan still performs and writes songs today. Fans and the media sometimes call him "Mister Eurovision." He continues to enjoy performing in musical theater. He toured Norway with Which Witch, an opera-musical from that country.

In October 2005, "Hold Me Now" was voted the third most popular song in Eurovision history. This happened at the 50th anniversary concert in Copenhagen, Denmark. His other winning song, "What's Another Year," was also nominated. Johnny Logan has sold more than 3 million copies of his music worldwide. "Hold Me Now" alone has sold over a million copies globally.

Johnny has been very successful, especially in Scandinavian countries. His 2007 album, The Irish Connection, sold very well. It went platinum in Denmark, twice platinum in Norway, and gold in Sweden.

In 2009, 2010, and 2011, he performed in the Celtic rock opera Excalibur.

In 2024, Johnny Logan appeared in Malmö during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. He performed a cover of "Euphoria" by Loreen. He also performed on a German TV show called Willkommen 2025 later that year.

Personal Life

Johnny Logan lives in Ireland. He has three sons named Adam, Fionn, and Jack with Ailis Sherrard. He also has a daughter, Ece Robyn, who was born in 1988. Her mother is Turkish dancer and actress Burçin Orhon [tr]. Johnny rarely gives interviews to the media. He says he has often been misquoted in the past.

Discography