1981 in Nordic music
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The following is a list of notable events and releases that happened in Nordic music in 1981.
Events
- 5 January – Björn Ulvaeus, now divorced from Agnetha Fältskog, marries Lena Källersjö.[1]
- 4 April – At the 26th Eurovision Song Contest, Sweden is the best-performing of the Nordic countries, finishing 10th. Denmark are 11th, Finland 16th, and Norway finish in 20th (last) place, with no votes from other countries.[2]
- September – Icelandic musicians Björk Guðmundsdóttir and bassist Jakob Magnússon form a new band, Tappi Tíkarrass.[3]
- 31 December – Benny Andersson, recently divorced from Anni-Frid Lyngstad, marries TV presenter Mona Nörklit.[1]
- unknown date
- The organ at the Heinävesi Church in Finland is renewed, using some of the stops from the original organ.[citation needed]
- Danish musician Lars Ulrich meets James Hetfield and they form the band Metallica.[4]
Classical works
- Ulf Grahn – Concertino for piano and Strings[5]
- Bengt Hambraeus – Voluntary on a Swedish Hymn Tune from Dalecarlia[citation needed]
- Magnus Lindberg – Sculpture II[6]
Hit singles
- ABBA – "One of Us" (#1 Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, West Germany)[7]
- Beranek – "Dra til hælvete" (#1 Norway)[8]
- Gyllene Tider – "Ljudet av ett annat hjärta" (#3 Sweden)[9]
- Thomas Ledin – "Sensuella Isabella" (#4 Sweden)[10]
- Eddie Meduza – "Gasen i botten" (#13 Sweden)[11]
- Björn Skifs – "Fångad i en dröm" (#10 Sweden)[12]
Film music
- Erling D. Bjerno – Jeppe på bjerget[13]
- Henrik Otto Donner – Pedon merkki[14]
Births
- 10 December – Paula Vesala, Finnish singer-songwriter[15]
Deaths
- 1 February – Geirr Tveitt, Norwegian composer[16]
- 22 May – Reimar Riefling, Norwegian classical pianist, music teacher, and music critic (born 1898).[17]
- 25 May – Georg Malmstén, Finnish entertainer (born 1902)[18]
- 23 June – Zarah Leander, Swedish actress and singer (born 1907)[19]
- 3 August – Seymour Österwall, Swedish tenor saxophonist, bandleader, and composer (born 1908)[20]
- 5 October – Sven Gyldmark, Danish film score composer (born 1904)[21]