Bardo (band)

Bardo was a male/female pop music duo (Sally Ann Triplett and Stephen Fischer) formed to represent the United Kingdom in the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "One Step Further".

Not to be confused with Bardot (Australian band) or Bardot (English band).
Bardo
OriginUnited Kingdom
GenresPop, dance
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1982–1983
LabelsEpic Records
Past membersSally Ann Triplett
Stephen Fischer

Overview

Triplett, a children's TV presenter (Crackerjack), was previously a member of the UK's 1980 Eurovision act Prima Donna. Triplett is one of only five acts to have represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest twice; the others being Ronnie Carroll, Cliff Richard, Cheryl Baker of Bucks Fizz and James Newman.[1]

On the day of the Eurovision Song Contest 1982, Bardo were rated favourites to win by Ladbrokes bookmakers and were also rated highly by Terry Wogan.[2] On the night, Bardo's performance was criticised for nerves and for placing more emphasis on the dance routines than the singing. "One Step Further" (written by Simon Jefferis) came seventh in the competition, below expectations.[3] The single however performed much better in the UK Singles Chart by reaching No. 2.[4]

Bardo were managed by Nichola Martin, the woman responsible for 1981 Eurovision victors Bucks Fizz, and produced by the same producer, Andy Hill.[5] Signed to Epic Records, plans were in place to continue Bardo's career, but subsequent singles "Talking Out of Line" (written by Andy Hill and Nichola Martin) and "Hang On to Your Heart" (written by Ian Maidman) failed to chart. An album was planned but shelved because of the low sales of the singles.[6]

Triplett and Fischer had by this time become romantically linked and stayed together after the dissolution of Bardo.[7] They also continued to perform together under a different name and spent some time in France.[8] In 1990, Triplett gave birth to their son. They split up some years later. Triplett has since become a successful theatre actress and performer, most notably in the musicals Anything Goes (alongside John Barrowman) and Guys and Dolls.[9] Fischer also continues to perform in the music business, mainly on stage and has performed as a pianist and vocalist with the Penguin Cafe Orchestra.[10][11]

Triplett and Fischer reunited to perform "One Step Further" on stage in London in 2010, wearing their original costumes, to raise money for charity as part of the West End Eurovision night. In 2013 a download album was released on iTunes called The Best of Bardo. This featured the duo's six A and B-sides as well as a number of newly created remixes.[12]

Discography

Singles
  • March 1982 – "One Step Further" (Epic) UK #2
  • June 1982 – "Talking Out of Line" (Epic) #122
  • January 1983 – "Hang On to Your Heart" (Epic) #174

Album
  • January 2013 – The Best of Bardo

References
  1. O'Connor, John Kennedy. The Eurovision Song Contest – The Official History. Carlton Books, UK. 2007 ISBN 978-1-84442-994-3
  2. Daily Express, 24 April 1982
  3. "Eurovision Song Contest (United Kingdom 1982) Bardo, One Step Further". Esc-history.com.
  4. "Bardo : Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  5. "Sally Ann Triplett official website | Bardo pictures and lyrics". Archived from the original on 13 October 2008.
  6. "The Stage | Sally Ann Triplett interview with mention of Bardo's career".
  7. Daily Express article: "We're broke but we're happy", 23 April 1983
  8. "Press Reviews". Anthonyphillips.co.uk.
  9. "Sally Ann Triplett official website | Biography". Archived from the original on 13 October 2008.
  10. "ESC Today | Bardo and current career".
  11. "Penguin Cafe – members". Archived from the original on 26 November 2006.
  12. "The Best of Bardo (feat. Steve Fisher & Sally Ann Triplet) by Bardo". Music.apple.com.
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