Joe Grech

He is best known for having introduced the Maltese language to the Eurovision Song Contest 1971, the first appearance from Malta on this pan-European television event.

At a very early stage in his life, Grech started to play the trumpet with the Żejtun Band Club.

Eight of these songs were sung in Italian, one in English and one in Maltese, the latter being "L-Għada tal-Festa Ma' Vitorin".

[3] In 1965, the "Impresa Valente" chose Grech to represent Malta in the Italian Festival of Martina Franca.

The then Italian High Commissioner of Italy for Malta, Antonio Spada, presented a trophy to Joe Grech.

His 45 rpm entitled " Il-Kaċċatur", The Hunter, published on Maltadisk APL 1005 B, and recorded by Audiovision Productions,[5] with their studios then located in Zachary Street, Valletta, and now at Mile End in Hamrun, started selling like pastizzi in Malta.

This success prompted Audiovision Productions to issue another follow-up record for Joe still as a "B" side entitled "Il-Festa Tagħna", (Our Feast).

Joe Grech, together with Mary Rose Darmanin, won this festival with the song "Serenata".

Roger Moore was the guest of honour in the 8th Malta Song Festival, which was also held at the Radio City Opera House in Hamrun on Saturday 8 December 1967.

On 3 April 1971, Grech was the first Maltese singer to represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest with "Marija l-Maltija".

Twanny Chircop, the brother of another Maltese tenor and film star Oreste Kirkop of The Vagabond King.

Incidentally it was Oreste Kirkop who presented the winning trophy to Joe Grech on the night of that first 1960 Malta Song Festival.

[7] The song "Evviva l-Maltin" was composed by Grech himself, specifically for his Australian tour and was dedicated to the several thousands of Maltese living down under.

In 1976, Grech performed at the Royal Ballroom of Melbourne, and on 12 March 1977, he gave a spectacular show at the Sydney Opera House.

Grech was accompanied on this record by his own group, made up of Edward Briffa on the Accordion, John Guffrey and Tony Pace on the guitars and a certain George on the drums.

Later on, these two songs were also included on a Long Playing Album compilation issued also by Anthony D'Amato, entitled Souvenir of Malta Vol 1 (ADLS 8001).