Øystein Sunde
Encyclopedia
Øystein Olaf Sunde is a Norwegian
folk
singer and guitarist
. He is known for his high-speed guitar and banjo style and his satirical lyrics. Although often regarded as a comedian, Sunde is a versatile jazz
guitarist who has played with several Dixieland
bands and jazz combos over the years.
, but his family moved to Skarnes
in 1954 where Sunde went to school. In 1955, the family moved back to Lambertseter
in Oslo
and Sunde continued school there.
The same year he started playing piano, but he did not like this because he was forced to rehearse scales and partially because his teacher could play boogiewoogie and Sunde was not allowed to do so by his teacher.
Despite protests form his parents he ended his piano playing career at the age of 7.
The next instrument Sunde played was a recorder
but he started to cry after one hour, so he got a big grapefruit
to comfort him, but after eating it he started to cry again. It was at this point his mother realized that he was not fit for playing this kind of instrument and later he started to play a B-Cornet
. Even though Sunde did not quite find this instrument comfortable he played it for a few years mainly because he had failed so many times earlier.
When Sunde attended 6th grade his woodwork teacher made him make a mandolin
laika without any drawings. When finished, the instrument was too big but sounded magnificent. This was what caused Sunde to find music fun mainly because he was not forced to practice this instrument. Later Sunde bought a used guitar, and the mandolin was never used again.
In 1960 Sunde heard the song "Apache" played by The Shadows
and he was "hooked". Later, at his confirmation, he got his first electric guitar. He dreamed of a Fender but it would take Sunde 11 years to get one.
He also met one of his 'heroes' Chet Atkins
in late 1971 who taught him some valuable lessons for 45 minutes.
Sunde attended the obligatory military service in the Norwegian Air Force base at Kolsås after basic training at Gardermoen. During his military training he wrote one of his hits "Fire melk og dagbla' for i går" on a boring night shift. After a while Sunde was allowed to postpone his military training to attend to "Schous Tekniske Institutt" for education. In 1969 he had to serve the remainder of his military training at Kolsås.
At the end of the sixties Sunde was working on an education as engineer. However during a Norwegian class Sunde was bored and instead of paying attention he wrote one of his greatest hits, named "Jaktprat." "Jaktprat" is one of Øystein Sunde's most famous songs ever. Due to many positive responses to this song it was at this point in his life that Sunde realized that he was "on track" of something that he should continue doing.
After a successful cooperation with Mikel Aas in late 1970 after releasing the LP "1001 Fnatt", who sold over 25000 copies, Sunde decided to drop education and work full time as an entertainer.
with his wife Gudrun, where he could pursue his hobbies, like model airplanes and garden golf.
Øystein Sunde became a part of the musician social environment in the capital
, and he could often be found at the singer's club Dolphins with talented people like Kari Svendsen
, Lillebjørn Nilsen
, Ole Paus
, Finn Kalvik
and Hege Tunaal. He has played in bands like Hitch-Hikers, Hi-Five
, Christiania Fusel & Blaagress and Gitarkameratene
(with fellow guitarists Lillebjørn Nilsen
, Halvdan Sivertsen
and Jan Eggum
), and he has participated in matinées, but he gained most fame as a solo artist. His lyrics are often about everyday situations from his own life, like nappy
changing and model airplanes
. He has said that he cannot write a song that contains no comic element. Expressions like "kjekt å ha" ("nice to have") have entered the Norwegian everyday language.
His recordings also include several instrumentals, like the folk tune Fanitullen or the high-speed, technical Ned Vøringsfossen (Down the Vøringsfossen Waterfall) and Lynavleder'n
and the challenging Kulingbarsel.
Andreas Diesen once described Sunde as "a master with words and a great musical talent". "When describing Øystein Sunde, I can quote André Bjerke
, who once said about himself that he 'was into words'. Sunde sings about the German caravan
on Norwegian roads or about artisan
s at their worst - all with a lot of irony
."
.
Sunde is by many considered one of Norway's finest guitarists. This has led to several myths about Sunde's skill. The most common is that Eric Clapton
and/or Mark Knopfler
is supposed to have said that Sunde is the world's best guitar player. Evidence of this myth is non-existent and it is similar to another myth involving Phil Keaggy
and Jimi Hendrix
.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
singer and guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
. He is known for his high-speed guitar and banjo style and his satirical lyrics. Although often regarded as a comedian, Sunde is a versatile jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
guitarist who has played with several Dixieland
Dixieland
Dixieland music, sometimes referred to as Hot jazz, Early Jazz or New Orleans jazz, is a style of jazz music which developed in New Orleans at the start of the 20th century, and was spread to Chicago and New York City by New Orleans bands in the 1910s.Well-known jazz standard songs from the...
bands and jazz combos over the years.
Early years
He was born January 24, 1947 in OsloOslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, but his family moved to Skarnes
Skarnes
Skarnes is the administrative centre of Sør-Odal municipality, Norway. Its population is 2,210.The local railway station, opened in 1862, is served by Kongsvingerbanen....
in 1954 where Sunde went to school. In 1955, the family moved back to Lambertseter
Lambertseter
Lambertseter is a suburb of the city of Oslo, Norway, and is part of the borough of Nordstrand.Lambertseter was built over a short period starting from 1951, and was the very first modern suburb of Oslo...
in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
and Sunde continued school there.
The same year he started playing piano, but he did not like this because he was forced to rehearse scales and partially because his teacher could play boogiewoogie and Sunde was not allowed to do so by his teacher.
Despite protests form his parents he ended his piano playing career at the age of 7.
The next instrument Sunde played was a recorder
Recorder
The recorder is a woodwind musical instrument of the family known as fipple flutes or internal duct flutes—whistle-like instruments which include the tin whistle. The recorder is end-blown and the mouth of the instrument is constricted by a wooden plug, known as a block or fipple...
but he started to cry after one hour, so he got a big grapefruit
Grapefruit
The grapefruit , is a subtropical citrus tree known for its sour fruit, an 18th-century hybrid first bred in Barbados. When found, it was named the "forbidden fruit"; it has also been misidentified with the pomelo or shaddock , one of the parents of this hybrid, the other being sweet orange The...
to comfort him, but after eating it he started to cry again. It was at this point his mother realized that he was not fit for playing this kind of instrument and later he started to play a B-Cornet
Cornet
The cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
. Even though Sunde did not quite find this instrument comfortable he played it for a few years mainly because he had failed so many times earlier.
When Sunde attended 6th grade his woodwork teacher made him make a mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
laika without any drawings. When finished, the instrument was too big but sounded magnificent. This was what caused Sunde to find music fun mainly because he was not forced to practice this instrument. Later Sunde bought a used guitar, and the mandolin was never used again.
In 1960 Sunde heard the song "Apache" played by The Shadows
The Shadows
The Shadows are a British pop group with a total of 69 UK hit-charted singles: 35 as 'The Shadows' and 34 as 'Cliff Richard and the Shadows', from the 1950s to the 2000s. Cliff Richard in casual conversation with the British rock press frequently refers to the Shadows by their nickname: 'The Shads'...
and he was "hooked". Later, at his confirmation, he got his first electric guitar. He dreamed of a Fender but it would take Sunde 11 years to get one.
He also met one of his 'heroes' Chet Atkins
Chet Atkins
Chester Burton Atkins , known as Chet Atkins, was an American guitarist and record producer who, along with Owen Bradley, created the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country's appeal to adult pop music fans as well.Atkins's picking style, inspired by Merle...
in late 1971 who taught him some valuable lessons for 45 minutes.
Sunde attended the obligatory military service in the Norwegian Air Force base at Kolsås after basic training at Gardermoen. During his military training he wrote one of his hits "Fire melk og dagbla' for i går" on a boring night shift. After a while Sunde was allowed to postpone his military training to attend to "Schous Tekniske Institutt" for education. In 1969 he had to serve the remainder of his military training at Kolsås.
At the end of the sixties Sunde was working on an education as engineer. However during a Norwegian class Sunde was bored and instead of paying attention he wrote one of his greatest hits, named "Jaktprat." "Jaktprat" is one of Øystein Sunde's most famous songs ever. Due to many positive responses to this song it was at this point in his life that Sunde realized that he was "on track" of something that he should continue doing.
After a successful cooperation with Mikel Aas in late 1970 after releasing the LP "1001 Fnatt", who sold over 25000 copies, Sunde decided to drop education and work full time as an entertainer.
The start of a career
In 1976, Øystein Sunde moved back to SkarnesSkarnes
Skarnes is the administrative centre of Sør-Odal municipality, Norway. Its population is 2,210.The local railway station, opened in 1862, is served by Kongsvingerbanen....
with his wife Gudrun, where he could pursue his hobbies, like model airplanes and garden golf.
Øystein Sunde became a part of the musician social environment in the capital
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, and he could often be found at the singer's club Dolphins with talented people like Kari Svendsen
Kari Svendsen
Kari Svendsen is a Norwegian singer, banjo player and revue artist. She was born in Oslo, and has been married to singer-songwriter Lillebjørn Nilsen.She was a co-founder and member of the band Christiania Fusel & Blaagress from 1968...
, Lillebjørn Nilsen
Lillebjørn Nilsen
Bjørn "Lillebjørn" Falk Nilsen is a prominent Norwegian singer-songwriter and folk musician. He is also considered somewhat the leading "voice of Oslo" thanks to numerous classic songs about the city from the 1970s and up....
, Ole Paus
Olé Paus
Ole Paus is a Norwegian singer-wongwriter, author, poet and actor. He is widely considered one of Norway's most popular musicians.-Background:...
, Finn Kalvik
Finn Kalvik
Finn Bjørn Kalvik is a Norwegian singer and composer.-Early career:He was born in Fåvang, but his family moved to the working class district of Grorud, Oslo in 1952. Early in his career Kalvik found success putting music to the poetry of popular Norwegian writers André Bjerke and Inger Hagerup...
and Hege Tunaal. He has played in bands like Hitch-Hikers, Hi-Five
Hi-Five
Hi-Five is an American R&B quintet based out of Waco, Texas, who had a #1 hit on Billboard's Hot 100 in the early 1990s with "I Like the Way ". Hi-Five was formed in 1990, and consisted of the late Tony Thompson, Roderick "Pooh" Clark, Marcus Sanders, Russell Neal, and Toriano Easley...
, Christiania Fusel & Blaagress and Gitarkameratene
Gitarkameratene
Gitarkameratene is the name of a group of well-known Norwegian recording artists when they tour together. The group includes Lillebjørn Nilsen, Halvdan Sivertsen, Jan Eggum and Øystein Sunde...
(with fellow guitarists Lillebjørn Nilsen
Lillebjørn Nilsen
Bjørn "Lillebjørn" Falk Nilsen is a prominent Norwegian singer-songwriter and folk musician. He is also considered somewhat the leading "voice of Oslo" thanks to numerous classic songs about the city from the 1970s and up....
, Halvdan Sivertsen
Halvdan Sivertsen
Halvdan Sivertsen is a Norwegian singer. He was born in Tromsø, but raised and currently lives in Bodø. He has won Spellemannprisen awards five times, twice with his group Gitarkameratene, and received the Culture Prize of Nordland county in 2000...
and Jan Eggum
Jan Eggum
Jan Eggum is a Norwegian singer-songwriter who has been active since 1975. He is often characterised as a "face for the melancholy", and the themes in his songs are often broken hearts, loneliness and sorrow...
), and he has participated in matinées, but he gained most fame as a solo artist. His lyrics are often about everyday situations from his own life, like nappy
Diaper
A nappy or a diaper is a kind of pant that allows one to defecate or urinate on oneself discreetly. When diapers become soiled, they require changing; this process is often performed by a second person such as a parent or caregiver...
changing and model airplanes
Model aircraft
Model aircraft are flying or non-flying models of existing or imaginary aircraft using a variety of materials including plastic, diecast metal, polystyrene, balsa wood, foam and fibreglass...
. He has said that he cannot write a song that contains no comic element. Expressions like "kjekt å ha" ("nice to have") have entered the Norwegian everyday language.
His recordings also include several instrumentals, like the folk tune Fanitullen or the high-speed, technical Ned Vøringsfossen (Down the Vøringsfossen Waterfall) and Lynavleder'n
Lightning rod
A lightning rod or lightning conductor is a metal rod or conductor mounted on top of a building and electrically connected to the ground through a wire, to protect the building in the event of lightning...
and the challenging Kulingbarsel.
Andreas Diesen once described Sunde as "a master with words and a great musical talent". "When describing Øystein Sunde, I can quote André Bjerke
André Bjerke
Jarl André Bjerke was a Norwegian writer and poet. His debut was in 1940 with a collection of poems, Syngende Jord . He has written a wide range of material: poems , mystery novels , essays, and articles...
, who once said about himself that he 'was into words'. Sunde sings about the German caravan
Travel trailer
A travel trailer or caravan is towed behind a road vehicle to provide a place to sleep which is more comfortable and protected than a tent . It provides the means for people to have their own home on a journey or a vacation, without relying on a motel or hotel, and enables them to stay in places...
on Norwegian roads or about artisan
Artisan
An artisan is a skilled manual worker who makes items that may be functional or strictly decorative, including furniture, clothing, jewellery, household items, and tools...
s at their worst - all with a lot of irony
Irony
Irony is a rhetorical device, literary technique, or situation in which there is a sharp incongruity or discordance that goes beyond the simple and evident intention of words or actions...
."
Recognition
Øystein Sunde was the first Scandinavian to receive a signature model series from C. F. Martin & CompanyC. F. Martin & Company
C.F. Martin & Company is a US guitar manufacturer established in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin. Martin is highly regarded for its steel-string guitars, and is a leading mass manufacturer of flattop acoustics with models that retail for thousands of dollars and vintage instruments that often...
.
Sunde is by many considered one of Norway's finest guitarists. This has led to several myths about Sunde's skill. The most common is that Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
and/or Mark Knopfler
Mark Knopfler
Mark Freuder Knopfler, OBE is a Scottish-born British guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer and film score composer. He is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the British rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977...
is supposed to have said that Sunde is the world's best guitar player. Evidence of this myth is non-existent and it is similar to another myth involving Phil Keaggy
Phil Keaggy
Phil Keaggy is an American acoustic and electric guitarist and vocalist who has released more than 50 albums and contributed to many more recordings in both the contemporary Christian music and mainstream markets...
and Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
.
Covers
Many of Øystein's songs are covers of other artists.| Songname | Original Artist | Original Songname |
|---|---|---|
| Fordommens År | Jerry Reed | Alabame Jubilee |
| Sett deg i Armkroken min | Flatt & Scruggs | Roll in my sweet baby's arms |
| Du kan ikke stikker kjepper i romhjula | Roger Miller | You can't rollerskate in a buffalo herd |
| Det ække lett å være kul | Shel Silverstein | It does not pay to be hip |
| Klå | Jerry Reed | The Claw |
| Lynavlederen | Jerry Reed | The Lightning rod |
| På kne over fisketorget | Jerry Reed | Jerry's breakdown |
| Flyvern | Jerry Reed | Swinging 69 |
| Jentelei | Jerry Reed | Woman Shy |
| 127 Vannrett | Jerry Reed | Stump Water |
| Hei, Henry Ford | Jerry Reed | Lord, Mr Ford |
| De Hebraiske Alper | Unknown | Black mountain rag |
| 60 om dagen (inspired by) | Jerry Reed | Another puff |
| Jaktprat (melody inspirated by) | Jerry Reed | Another puff |
| Åna Sira | Riz Ortolani | Buona Sera |
| Hei, Henry Ford | Jerry Reed | Lord, Mr. Ford |
| Liten og grønn | Unknown | The City of New Orleans |
| Onkel til Per Erik | The Beatles | Unknown |
Music
- 1001 Fnatt (1970)
- Det året det var så bratt (1971)
- Som varmt hvetebrød i tørt gress (1972)
- Sunderfundigheter (1973)
- Ikke bare tyll (1974)
- KlåKLAKLA may refer to:*Kaella, a French Linux distribution based on Knoppix*KLA-Tencor, semiconductor equipment company*Kerala Library Association, professional association for librarians in Kerala*Klamath-Modoc language - ISO 639-3 code kla...
(1974) - Hurtbuller i hvit saus (1975)
- På sangens vinger (1976)
- Øystein Sundes beste (1977)
- Hærtata hørt (1979)
- Barkebille Boogie (1981)
- I husbukkens tegn (1984)
- Overbuljongterningpakkmesterassistent (1986)
- Kjekt å ha (featuring Béla FleckBéla FleckBéla Anton Leoš Fleck is an American banjo player. Widely acknowledged as one of the world's most innovative and technically proficient banjo players, he is best known for his work with the bands New Grass Revival and Béla Fleck and the Flecktones.-Early life and career details:Fleck was born in...
, recorded in Nashville) (1989) - Øystein Sundes 40 beste (1990)
- Du må'kke komme her og komme her (1994)
- Nå er begeret nådd (1999)
- Sånn er'e bare (2005)
- Sundes Verden (2006)
- Meget i sløyd (2008)
Books with lyrics and musical notes for his own songs
- Viser uten slips (1972)
- Kjekt å ha–1 (1990)
- Kjekkere å ha–2 (1992)
- Du må'kke komme her og komme her (1997)
- Sånn Er'e Bare (2005)