Kjell Vidars was a Norwegian band who recorded from the 1970s to the 1990s. Their recordings were released on the Nett, Snowflake, Troll and Mariann record labels.
Background Kjell Vidars came about by chance. It was around 1969 when they were formed. Kjell Karlsen's band was supposed to play at an event in Granvang that was to do with the Vestre Gran Sports Association. However they pulled out. So, with the organizers not having musical entertainment, Arne Støen from Vestre Gran had the task to put together a band. He got Ole Vidar Lien to come in, and also Kjell Bjørklund was brought in. Arne Støen said that that they had to come up with name and his name sounded so bad that it couldn't be used. According to Ole Vidar Lien in a Hadeland article, with only a short period of time left to put it in the paper for an advertisement, the name Kjell Vidars was used.Hadeland, 19.12.14 - Kultur, Kjell Vidars gir ut samle-CD med 45 låter - Av John Erik Thorbjørnsen
During the band's career, they recorded songs such as "Puff, den lille dragen", "Veien hjem til Hadeland", "Skateboard", and "Guitar boogie". "Guitar Boogie" brought them some success.Oppland Arbeiderblad (OA), 15.01.15 - Ny musikk, KJELL VIDARS 45 år- 45 låter - Av Frode Hermanrud
Career In 1970, the group had the single "Se-Se-Se-Sebastian" / "Bare Min Skal Du Være" released on Troll TR 290.Discogs - Kjell Vidars – Se-Se-Se-Sebastian / Bare Min Skal Du Være
In 1973, their album, Hei, hå nå er det jul igjen; Kjell vidars spiller 18 julemelodier for barna was released on Nett Records: NETT 516. It contained eighteen tracks that were produced by Leif Hemmingsen.NorSike - Kjell Vidars: Hei, hå nå er det jul igjen; Kjell vidars spiller 18 julemelodier for barna;Og de voksne
In 1975, the album Kjell Vidars Igjen... was released on Nett 536. It spent four weeks in the Norwegian charts, peaking at no. 12.Discogs - Kjell Vidars – Kjell Vidars...IgjenSwedish Charts - KJELL VIDAR - KJELL VIDARS IGJEN (ALBUM), World wide: no Peak: 12 / weeks: 4
In 1979, their Kjell Vidars 5 was released on Nett Records Nett 549 and EMI 8C 062-37383.Discogs - Kjell Vidars – 5NorSike - Kjell Vidars: 5 It made the Norwegian charts peaking at no. 8 during its five-week chart run.Swedish Charts - KJELL VIDAR KJELL VIDARS 5 (ALBUM), World wide: no Peak: 8 / weeks: 5
Later years In 2015, a two CD compilation, 45 an 45 Later was released. It contained a booklet which chronicled their career and contained some recordings from a concert the band did in Bergslia in 1981.Oppland Arbeiderblad (OA), 15.01.15 - Ny musikk, KJELL VIDARS 45 år- 45 låter - Av Frode Hermanrud
It was reported by Bodøposten in November 2018 that the group was to release a Christmas album, Julefest på låven on both compact disc and red vinyl. The eighteen-track album featured vocals by the children's choir from Hadeland Kulturskole.Bodøposten.no, 25 November 2018 - MUSIKK: Nytt julealbum fra veteranene i Kjell Vidars – Julefest på låven - Redaksjonen
Founding member Ole Vidar Lien died on 25 July 2022 following a short illness. He was 72.For Swingende, 26.07.2022 - Ole Vidar Lien er dødHadeland, 26 July 2022 - Nyheter, Kultur | Ole Vidar Lien er død
References
External links Discogs - Kjell Vidars Kjell Vidars - Topic channel, 2014-11-28 - Skateboard lazyrain channel, Nov 9, 2024 - Kjell Vidars – «Skateboard» (live video) Rirger Brud channel, Apr 4, 2012 - Kjell Vidars - Higway Queen (audio)