Herbert Guðmundsson
Encyclopedia
Herbert Guðmundsson is an Iceland
ic singer, songwriter and producer. His most famous song is "Can't Walk Away" released in October 1985, the song became a big hit. Other of his most recognized songs are amongst others "Hollywood", "I Believe In Love", "Megi Sá Draumur", "Won't Forget", "Vestfjarðaóður" and "Time" released in 2010.
Iceland
. When he was 12 years old he began his music career by joining the band "Raflost". Only 17 years old he became the singer of "Tilvera", one of the most famous bands in Iceland in the 70's. Herbert was a lead singer with many bands over the next years for example; "Stofnþel", "Eik","Dínamit", "Pelican", "Sólskin" and "Kan". Herbert also took part in the first staging of Jesus Christ Superstar
, in Iceland 1972, and later on his band "Tilvera" performed in the staging of Faust at the National Theatre of Iceland.
With the band "Eik" he performed on an Icelandic television show for the state channel RÚV
. There "Eik" played some popular songs like "Kung Fu Fighting" and original songs written by Herbert such as the song "Twenty One" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK1Y2sCJeUw) . This footage was shown again in 2003 when a TV show about Herbert's life was broadcasted in RÚV.
Herbert left the music scene for a while and began working as a chief on an Icelandic fishing vessil and did very well. He worked at the sea for 8 years. He had his guitar onboard and wrote some songs while sailing such as "Hollywood".
in Vestfirðir and joined the band "KAN". With "KAN" Herbert made the album "Í ræktinni" (In The Gym) which included the hit "Megi Sá Draumur" and "Vestfjarðaóður". The band was very successful in Iceland, perferming mostly around "Vestfirðir"; "Bolungarvík", "Ísafirði", "Suðureyri" and "Patreksfirði". KAN was the biggest band in Vestfirðir at that time along with "Grafik"(One of Grafík's songs on youtube). The album "Í ræktinni" was released in 1984 and Herbert was the main man behind the decision of making the album. Their popularity in Vestfirðir was hueg and people at all ages bought their album. Herbert wrote the larger part of the songs. The song "Megi Sá Draumur" became very popular and was played a lot on the Icelandic radio. The album was a mixture of great party songs and gentle ballads. Herbert re-released two KAN songs in 2001 in a new version on his solo-album "Ný Spor Á Íslenskri Tungu". The songs were "Megi Sá Draumur" (May Our Dream) and "Steypa og Gler" (Concrete and Glass).
KAN made a comeback in April 2006 in the music festival "Aldrei Fór Ég Suður", which is arranged by the famous Icelandic musician Mugison
and held in Ísafjörður
/Vestfirðir Iceland
. KAN only played at that one gig but the reactions to the band were amazing. The reunion got a lot of attention and Kastljós
the biggest TV-Show in Iceland talked to the band and showed some live footage from their performance.
(capital of Iceland
). There he began his solo career with the album "Dawn Of The Human Revolotion",released in 1985, on which He sang all the songs in English. The song "Can't Walk Away" became a huge hit.
The success of Can't Walk Away was amazing and Herbert became well known. Later the song was included in a Superhits of the 80's record. The song tells the story of how we shouldn't just walk away from the world's problems. We should face them and solve them. The lyrics are quite deep, especially for a pop song. This song has been re-released many times over the years in verious versions and has lived throughout the years in the hearts of Icelanders. The song on youtube.
. All the biggest stars in Icelandic music at that time helped and made the song Hjálpum Þeim
(Let's Help Them). Herbert sang both as a lead singer and as a backing singer in the song. It became very popular in Iceland.
Herbert shot two music videos for the album, "Hollywood" the video on youtube and the song "The Night Of The Show" the video on youtube.
feel. The song became very popular and Glitnir
(a big Icelandic bank at the time) used the song in its commercials. Herbert also included two remixes of "Can't Walk Away" on the "Faith" album.
He made his first solo-album singin in Icelandic in 1977 "Á Ströndinn" and decided to do this again after having sung mostly in English through his carrier by releasing the record "Ný Spor Á Íslenskri Tungu" (New Steps In Icelandic). The song "Svaraðu" of that album became a big hit. The music video for "Svaraðu" was shot in Algarve - Portugal.The video on youtube.
Herbert held a big concert in Iceland to celebrate the release of "Ný Spor Á Íslenskri Tungu".. This concert was recorded, filmed and released on a DVD in December 2010 - "Herbert Guðmundsson í Íslensku Óperunni"("Herbert Gudmundsson at the Icelandic Opera").
After releasing Being Human, Herbert decided to move to Sweden
and step away from music for some time. He went to Italy
and learned how to make Italian icecream. After the stay in Italy he decided to open up an Ice Cream Shop in Sweden. In 1996 he decided to move back to Iceland. He immediately opened an Ice Cream Shop in Reykjavík the store was in Síðumúli 35 and was called "Stikkfrí". Herbert made his own Ice Cream recipe so his Ice Cream was one of a kind. A newspaper in Iceland called "DV" (Dagblaðið Vísir) made some research in the Ice Cream business in Iceland and found out that Herbert was the best Ice Cream seller in the country.
Along with selling Ice Cream in "Stikkfrí" Herbert sold his CDs in the store. The shop was successful and Herbert's wife, Svala Jóhannsdóttir, served the customers while Herbert made the Ice Cream.
In the summer of 2005, Herbert played in Rás 2
along with Lokbrá, for life radio. They played a new song made by Herbert, called "Driving Wild". The song is about a man who is so down that he is driving fast to try to forget his problems. Later that day Herbert went for an interview in Rás 2
where he decided to play the song "Driving Wild" himself only with his own guitar.
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
ic singer, songwriter and producer. His most famous song is "Can't Walk Away" released in October 1985, the song became a big hit. Other of his most recognized songs are amongst others "Hollywood", "I Believe In Love", "Megi Sá Draumur", "Won't Forget", "Vestfjarðaóður" and "Time" released in 2010.
Early life
Herbert was born December 15. 1953 in ReykjavíkReykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
. When he was 12 years old he began his music career by joining the band "Raflost". Only 17 years old he became the singer of "Tilvera", one of the most famous bands in Iceland in the 70's. Herbert was a lead singer with many bands over the next years for example; "Stofnþel", "Eik","Dínamit", "Pelican", "Sólskin" and "Kan". Herbert also took part in the first staging of Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
, in Iceland 1972, and later on his band "Tilvera" performed in the staging of Faust at the National Theatre of Iceland.
With the band "Eik" he performed on an Icelandic television show for the state channel RÚV
RÚV
Ríkisútvarpið is Iceland's national public-service broadcasting organization.Operating from studios in the country's capital, Reykjavík, as well as regional centres around the country, the service broadcasts a variety of general programming to a wide audience across the whole country via radio...
. There "Eik" played some popular songs like "Kung Fu Fighting" and original songs written by Herbert such as the song "Twenty One" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK1Y2sCJeUw) . This footage was shown again in 2003 when a TV show about Herbert's life was broadcasted in RÚV.
Herbert left the music scene for a while and began working as a chief on an Icelandic fishing vessil and did very well. He worked at the sea for 8 years. He had his guitar onboard and wrote some songs while sailing such as "Hollywood".
KAN in Bolungarvík
When he finished working at the sea he moved to BolungarvíkBolungarvík
Bolungarvík is a fishing village and municipality in the North-West of Iceland, located at the Vestfirðir peninsula, approximately 14 kilometres from the town of Ísafjörður and 473 km from the capital city Reykjavík....
in Vestfirðir and joined the band "KAN". With "KAN" Herbert made the album "Í ræktinni" (In The Gym) which included the hit "Megi Sá Draumur" and "Vestfjarðaóður". The band was very successful in Iceland, perferming mostly around "Vestfirðir"; "Bolungarvík", "Ísafirði", "Suðureyri" and "Patreksfirði". KAN was the biggest band in Vestfirðir at that time along with "Grafik"(One of Grafík's songs on youtube). The album "Í ræktinni" was released in 1984 and Herbert was the main man behind the decision of making the album. Their popularity in Vestfirðir was hueg and people at all ages bought their album. Herbert wrote the larger part of the songs. The song "Megi Sá Draumur" became very popular and was played a lot on the Icelandic radio. The album was a mixture of great party songs and gentle ballads. Herbert re-released two KAN songs in 2001 in a new version on his solo-album "Ný Spor Á Íslenskri Tungu". The songs were "Megi Sá Draumur" (May Our Dream) and "Steypa og Gler" (Concrete and Glass).
KAN made a comeback in April 2006 in the music festival "Aldrei Fór Ég Suður", which is arranged by the famous Icelandic musician Mugison
Mugison
Mugison is an Icelandic musician and singer who originally performed as a one-man band using a guitar and computer, but now often performs with a band. He studied in London to become a record producer....
and held in Ísafjörður
Ísafjörður
Ísafjörður is a town in the north west of Iceland, seat of Ísafjarðarbær municipality.The town draws its name from the fjord and the fjord was given its name simultaneously to the island...
/Vestfirðir Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
. KAN only played at that one gig but the reactions to the band were amazing. The reunion got a lot of attention and Kastljós
Kastljós
Kastljós is a high-rated Icelandic news magazine and talk show on the Icelandic national television channel RÚV. Sigmar Guðmundsson is the current editor and primary host of the show...
the biggest TV-Show in Iceland talked to the band and showed some live footage from their performance.
Solo career
Herbert left "KAN" in the autom 1984 and moved to ReykjavíkReykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
(capital of Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
). There he began his solo career with the album "Dawn Of The Human Revolotion",released in 1985, on which He sang all the songs in English. The song "Can't Walk Away" became a huge hit.
Can't Walk Away success
Let's Help Them
In 1986 after Herbert had released his major solo-title, "The Dawn Of The Human Revolution", he took part in a recording session for a song released in an effort to create publicity for alleviating poverty and starvation in AfricaAfrica
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. All the biggest stars in Icelandic music at that time helped and made the song Hjálpum Þeim
Hjálpum Þeim
"Hjálpum þeim" is a song recorded in 1986 by several of the most popular musicians of Iceland to gather funds in order to combat poverty in Africa....
(Let's Help Them). Herbert sang both as a lead singer and as a backing singer in the song. It became very popular in Iceland.
Hollywood
Herbert kept on going and made some new songs after the major success of "Can't Walk Away", as "Hollywood". The song "Hollywood" tells the story of how hard it is to become a success in the big world when you come from a small country like Iceland. "Hollywood" was released on the album "Being Human" in 1993.Herbert shot two music videos for the album, "Hollywood" the video on youtube and the song "The Night Of The Show" the video on youtube.
The 90's
In 1997 Herbert became again a very popular singer in Iceland when a new radio station FM957 began playing "Can't Walk Away". Herbert decided to came back to Iceland to follow up on this success and again became very well known as an artist. He decided to release all his biggest hits on a Best Of CD which he called "Faith". "Faith" was released in 1998 and contained "Can't Walk Away", "Hollywood", "I Believe In Love" and many other hits. "I Believe In Love" was a new song from Herbert and it was clear that Herbert had left the 80's feeling and moved on into a technoTechno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
feel. The song became very popular and Glitnir
Glitnir (bank)
Glitnir was an international Icelandic bank. It was created by the state-directed merger of the country's three privately held banks - Alþýðubanki , Verzlunarbanki and Iðnaðarbanki - and one failing publicly held bank - Útvegsbanki - to form Íslandsbanki in 1990...
(a big Icelandic bank at the time) used the song in its commercials. Herbert also included two remixes of "Can't Walk Away" on the "Faith" album.
He made his first solo-album singin in Icelandic in 1977 "Á Ströndinn" and decided to do this again after having sung mostly in English through his carrier by releasing the record "Ný Spor Á Íslenskri Tungu" (New Steps In Icelandic). The song "Svaraðu" of that album became a big hit. The music video for "Svaraðu" was shot in Algarve - Portugal.The video on youtube.
Herbert held a big concert in Iceland to celebrate the release of "Ný Spor Á Íslenskri Tungu".. This concert was recorded, filmed and released on a DVD in December 2010 - "Herbert Guðmundsson í Íslensku Óperunni"("Herbert Gudmundsson at the Icelandic Opera").
Religion
Herbert was a part of the Icelandic National Church when he was born. When he had grown up he discovered that he didn't feel right in the Icelandic National Church and decided to leave the church. He joined the world of Buddha. For a while, every time Herbert spoke publicly, he talked about Buddism. For instance in the TV program "Sjálfstætt Fólk" (Independent People) Herbert showed how he meditated every day. Then on the 26th of September 2007 an article was written in the Icelandic newspaper "Blaðið" about Herbert Guðmundsson. There it was made public that Herbert had left Buddhism because he had become a vibrant Christian after having a spiritual experience in a prayer meeting with some friends in Iceland that was held at that time in Ármúli a street in Reykjavík by a Christian group named "Kærleikurinn" ("Charity"). Following this experience he got baptised in the Pentecostal "Filadelfia" church in Iceland, and has since been an active gospel artist (album "Spegill Sálarinnar" / "Open Your Eyes" released in 2008) with a recommendation for his work as such given by the Bishop of the Icelandic National Church.HG Records and ice cream
Herbert owns his own record company, "HG Hljómplötur" (HG Records). HG stands of course for Herbert Guðmundsson. He has released his own material since he started with "HG Hljómplötur" in 1985. All of his records were released by "HG Hljómplötur" exempt "Á Ströndinni".After releasing Being Human, Herbert decided to move to Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and step away from music for some time. He went to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and learned how to make Italian icecream. After the stay in Italy he decided to open up an Ice Cream Shop in Sweden. In 1996 he decided to move back to Iceland. He immediately opened an Ice Cream Shop in Reykjavík the store was in Síðumúli 35 and was called "Stikkfrí". Herbert made his own Ice Cream recipe so his Ice Cream was one of a kind. A newspaper in Iceland called "DV" (Dagblaðið Vísir) made some research in the Ice Cream business in Iceland and found out that Herbert was the best Ice Cream seller in the country.
Along with selling Ice Cream in "Stikkfrí" Herbert sold his CDs in the store. The shop was successful and Herbert's wife, Svala Jóhannsdóttir, served the customers while Herbert made the Ice Cream.
Intermezzo performances
In 2003 when Herbert appeared in the TV show "Jón Ólafs" (show hosted by Jón Ólafsson, where he talks to famous musicians) Herbert played along with Jón Ólafsson a new song written by Herbert Guðmundsson.The performance on youtube. The song was called "Magic Feeling". Herbert often sings about how one can feel or act so the lyrics of this song are examplatory for Herbert's music. This song was released on the album "Spegill Sálarinnar" in 2008.In the summer of 2005, Herbert played in Rás 2
Rás 2
Rás 2 is an Icelandic radio station of RÚV, the National Icelandic Broadcasting Service. Rás 2 broadcasts primarily news, current affairs and pop and rock music programs. The station was launched in 1983. It is the highest rated radio station in Iceland. Rás 2 is broadcasted on frequencies 90.1...
along with Lokbrá, for life radio. They played a new song made by Herbert, called "Driving Wild". The song is about a man who is so down that he is driving fast to try to forget his problems. Later that day Herbert went for an interview in Rás 2
Rás 2
Rás 2 is an Icelandic radio station of RÚV, the National Icelandic Broadcasting Service. Rás 2 broadcasts primarily news, current affairs and pop and rock music programs. The station was launched in 1983. It is the highest rated radio station in Iceland. Rás 2 is broadcasted on frequencies 90.1...
where he decided to play the song "Driving Wild" himself only with his own guitar.