An Xtra Happy Birthday; August 24th

After yesterday’s birthday bonanza, with EIGHT Eurovision birthdays, we are back today with a mere two. They are both guys. Both are born in the 70s. They both participated at Eurovision in the 00s. Also, they both performed as part of a band. They are even both guitarists! However, they did not achieve the same sort of result at Eurovision; one finished on the podium, the other finished bottom five. 

Janis Jubalts (Brainstorm), 43

Janis Jubalts represented Latvia at the 2000 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm as part of the band Brainstorm. This was Latvia’s debut at Eurovision, and there are quite a few people who believe that they should have won. Their song “My Star” has turned into a modern classic in the Euroverse. However, ther finished in a very respectable 3rd place, behind Denmark and Russia.

Jarkko Ahola, 40

Jarkko represented Finland at the 2008 Eurovision as part of the rock band Teräsbetoni. He is the band’s singer and guitarist, and is also one of the founding members. They qualified for the grand final with “Missä miehet ratsastaa”, where they ended in 22nd place out of 25 countries.

All of us here at escXtra wish both Janis and Jarkko the best of birthdays!