10 Facts About Ben Cramer

Ben Cramer was born on Bernardus Kramer; 17 February 1947 and is a Dutch singer who represented the Netherlands in the 1973 Eurovision Song Contest.

Ben Cramer made his television debut in 1966 with his backing group the Spaklings, and was spotted by singer Annie de Reuver, who helped him obtain a record deal.

In 1970, Cramer took part in the Dutch Eurovision selection with the song "Julia", which came fourth.

Ben Cramer returned in 1973, this time singing all four songs, from which "De oude muzikant" was chosen as the Dutch entry for the 18th Eurovision Song Contest, held on 7 April in Luxembourg City.

Ben Cramer returned to Eurovision in 1981 with two songs, "Marianne" and "Retour", in the Dutch selection, but both finished well down the field.

Ben Cramer was associated with the 1988 Contest providing radio commentary for Dutch listeners.

Ben Cramer continued to enjoy periodic chart success through the 1970s; his last charting single was "Alles is anders" in 1980.

Ben Cramer has since appeared in TV programmes such as the drama series Westenwind and the Dutch Celebrity Big Brother, and continues his stage career.

Ben Cramer was one of the artists who recorded the song Shalom from Holland as a token of solidarity to the Israeli people, threatened by missiles from Iraq, during the first Gulf War in 1991.

In 2009, along with a number of other Dutch Eurovision veterans, Ben Cramer was a special guest at that year's televised Eurovision selection.