Lillebjørn Nilsen

Lillebjørn Nilsen is a prominent figure in Norwegian music and has distinguished himself as a very popular artist. Since his debut in 1971, Nilsen has become a household name nationally and internationally and he is considered one of the foremost representatives of the Nordic singer/songwriter genre. He has toured several countries and received five Spellemann (Norwegian Grammy Award), both as a solo artist and as a member of the highly successful groups Ballade! and Gitarkameratene. Nilsen has also been honored with numerous other awards. It is especially as a solo artist that Nilsen has provided the Norwegian public with a large number of classics. His catchy melodies and intimate lyrics appeal to a wide audience and the songs have become part of the Norwegian cultural heritage. Nilsen’s music is characterized by the successful union of singer/songwriter and folk music. His interest in folk music has been important to bring folk music to a larger audience. In addition, his Norwegian texts has strengthened the Norwegian language’s status in the music industry.

Nilsen has written several song and guitar books. His role as a national troubadour was especially evident with the release of his guitar textbook Lillebjørns Gitarbok (1973). The book is published in a total circulation of more than 170 000 copies, the highest circulation of any music education text- or songbook in Norway ever. In 1996, the artist’s extraordinarily rich solo career was summed up in the CD collection 40 spor. The collection´s 40 tracks from the years 1973 to 1993 consolidated Nilsen’s position as a leading figure in the music of Norway. In recent years, Lillebjørn Nilsen has contributed to several publications, including various tribute albums and collections. In the summer of 2008, he warmed up for Leonard Cohen at Bislett Stadium, and every year he gives his annual concert at Rockefeller in Oslo, a cherished tradition for many Norwegians.

May 2011