The History of Norwegian Rock Music

American rock enters Norway and turns the perception of what popular music is upside down. And what really happened during the rock riots in Oslo in 1956?

Inspired by The Shadows, shadows bands spring up across the country in the sixties. And the parent generation calls their music barbed-wire music.

Surrounded by screaming girls, parties, and scandals, the Pussycats are the first to live out what we associate with the sixties: Protest, colour, and free sex.

As the generational conflict intensifies, a rawer and bolder pop music emerges: Rhythm and blues.

Throughout the 60s, only the schlager singers sing in Norwegian. Then the Norwegian singer-songwriter wave emerges.

In the 70s, people begin in earnest to buy records. The record companies smell money, and the artists dream of breaking through abroad.

With an intense hatred of the record industry, harsh opinions that disco sucks, and an appearance that scares most people senseless, the punks take over Norway.

In the 80s, the record market explodes, also in Norway. But it’s pop that sells, not rock.

Even though the punks try to make Norwegian a rock language, it’s only when deLillos, Raga Rockers, Jokke, and DumDum Boys enter the stage that it takes off.

Norwegian rock and pop musicians have always dreamed of making it abroad. Finally, it happens: A-ha goes to the top in the USA.

In the 90s, rock’s niches grow large enough to embrace narrow genres, and Norwegian techno, black metal, and world music conquer Europe.

At the turn of the millennium, many new artists have risen to prominence. They chart their own course for pop and rock.