The Singing Politician

Kellie Chambers reviews All Kinds of Everything, the newly published book, which recounts the life of Eurovision winner and political figure, Dana.

Who is Dana? If Eurovision song-winner immediately springs to mind, you are partly right. However, All Kinds of Everything, an autobiography of her life, illustrates that there are so many aspects to Rosemary ‘Dana’ Scallon. Her career began as a singer but overtime she evolved into the first woman elected to represent the constituency of Connaught/Ulster in the European Parliament.

LITTLE GIRL, BIG VOICE

Dana, which means ‘bold in Irish’, had a rich musical ancestry. Her grandfather played bass drum and euphonium in the local brass band, whilst it was music, which brought her parents together. From the age of six, Dana too was exhibiting her own musical talents when she began to learn piano, violin and the art of ballet. Alongside her sisters, Dana made quite a name for herself in the various Feiseanna, with competitions in Irish dancing, singing and music. Whilst studying for her O-Levels, Dana began studying singing under the tutelage of local teacher Tony Johnston. Before long demo tapes she had made caught the attention of Michael Geoghegan, head of Rex Records in Dublin.

In 1968 Dana’s name was put forward for the Eurovision song contest, for which she was placed runner-up. After great persuasion she entered the competition again in 1970, and won with her song All Kinds of Everything. Consequently she enjoyed a singing career, which featured several highlights, such as setting up her own record label, as well as co-writing the anthem for the Northern Ireland football team after they qualified for the 1982 World Cup finals. During her career she also recorded a range of Christian material and in 1987 she sang before Pope John Paul II.

A COUNTRY IN TURMOIL

Though born in London, Dana was raised in the Creggan estate in Londonderry. After the North’s first civil right’s march passed off peacefully on the 24 August, another one had been planned to take place in Dana’s hometown of Derry on 5 October. The outcome was to be very different. William Craig banned the march on 3 October as an Apprentice Boys march had been scheduled for that date. Though some feared that to continue would be inflammatory, the organisers decided direct action was needed and the march went ahead. As a result a bloody riot broke out in the Bogside area, which resulted in petrol bombs being thrown. The unease in Derry raged into the New Year culminating with the Battle of the Bogside on 12 August 1969.

MAKING HISTORY

Although enjoying great success in show business across the world as well as making a name for herself in America with the Christian recordings she made during her stay in Alabama in the early ‘90s, it is possible the memories of the troubles, that haunted the Province throughout her childhood convinced her to run in the Irish Presidential elections. Although missing out on the Presidency, Dana decided to put her name forward to become a member of the European Parliament. After a tense campaign, where Dana received a great deal of contempt from her contemporaries, she made history by being the first woman elected to represent the constituency of Connaught/Ulster.

During her time as an MEP she targeted many areas of improvement for the Connaught/Ulster region, including economic security, greater investment in the area and the development of better road networks and airports Although her time as an MEP allowed her to make certain advancements for the area her experience was not all positive. Dana experienced several conflicts with her peers, particularly the European Women’s Lobby, who felt Dana was trying to undermine them, as well as with her own Government when it came to the negotiations over the Nice Treaty. One other argument, which over-shadowed Dana’s time in Parliament was the abortion debate, which culminated in an Irish referendum in March 2002. This was a topic which Dana felt very passionately about, however her views were not always favourably looked upon by her fellow members of Parliament or indeed the Irish public.

Throughout All Kinds of Everything, one thing that is extremely evident is that Dana is unashamed of the decisions she made in both her singing and political career. She details the harsh criticism she received and how it made her more determined in her political battles and against all odds she polled well in her battle for Irish President and succeeded all expectations when she was voted an MEP. What is also apparent throughout the book, is that regardless of pressure from those around her, Dana refused to compromise on her morals and beliefs, which although making her journey into politics more difficult, is something, she looks proudly upon.

THE EVOLUTION OF WOMEN

During her memoirs, Dana openly discusses how her ambition meant that she could not spend as much time with her family as she would have liked. In the height of her show business career, she was often on the road, and when she was elected an MEP, a lot of her time was spent in Brussels. However she also reflects how she had a strong network of support, which greatly assisted her in raising her children whilst pursuing a career in the public eye. Dana illustrates how the opinion towards working women has evolved. Once a working mother was frowned upon, but Dana successfully balanced being a mother and a wife with a demanding career.

Whilst revealing how the attitude to women has been turned on its head, so much so that they are openly elected into Government now, the book also shows how Northern Ireland has changed during this period. When only a schoolgirl, Dana’s home town of Derry was blighted with The Battle of the Bogside in the ‘70s. The rest of the Province fared no better and was equally hit by Troubles. However when Dana returned from America, she returned to a much more stable country and by the time the book ends, the new devolved Northern Ireland Assembly has opened in Stormont and Dana remarks that 2007 was “an historic year, because we have, at last, a real opportunity for enduring peace in the North.”

With a colourful past, including winning the hotly contested Eurovision, performing on Top of the Pops with the likes of David Bowie, befriending Daniel O’Donnell, emigrating to America, becoming a household name in Christian music, singing before the Pope, hosting her own TV series, making history in Irish politics, as well as being a wife and mother, it is safe to say Dana is more than a one-hit wonder. The story of her life combined with her frank and candid tone, makes All Kind of Everything both an interesting and inspirational read.

All Kinds of Everything by Dana Rosemary Scallon is published by Gill & Macmillan and is available from a range of bookshops.
www.gillmacmillan.ie