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– Today we can all offer our condolences, says Halvdan Sivertsen. He was in Gitarkamateratene together with Lillebjørn Nilsen, who has now passed away. – Lillebjørn was, is and will be one of the most important suppliers of songs to the Norwegian people, says Sivertsen. He describes it as a “sad and strange day”. The guitar mates in 1990. Lillebjørn Nilsen on the left. Photo: Jørn H. Moen / SCANPIX – There is a wall that has fallen out of Norwegian music life. That’s what Jan Eggum, who was also part of Gitarkamatereten, says. He refers to Nilsen as a “faithful friend and colleague” and “superb partner”. – I knew I was part of something completely unique when I played bass guitar on Gitarkamatene’s closing song “Tanta til Beate”. I felt this every single time we had concerts. – It is, for me, personal grief, but it is also really a national grief that Lillebjørn Nilsen is now gone, says Eggum. – Main supplier to the Norwegian people Kari Svendsen, often referred to as Banjo-Kari, visited Lillebjørn Nilsen three days before he passed away. Kari Svendsen was previously married to Nilsen. Photo: NTB – A lifetime together. Youth sweethearts, but also colleagues in the show, she says. – He made us look at little Oslo with new eyes, pride and warmth, adds Svendsen. Composer and writer Ketil Bjørnstad calls Nilsen “one of the very greatest”. – He opened up a completely new landscape for us, and gave us and the culture dignity. Many of his songs are with us all our lives, says Bjørnstad about his death. Ketil Bjørnstad particularly likes the song “Far har told”. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet – He also had a simple unfussy performance style. That both he and Ole Paus are gone is a big loss to Norwegian culture, says Bjørnstad. Composer and musician Steinar Ofsdal was also close to Nilsen for many decades. He will miss “jamming” with him late into the night: – That was our thing. – Today’s young people still know his songs. He has been a main supplier to the Norwegian people, says Ofsdal. Lillebjørn Nilsen and Steinar Ofsdal perform “Quietest boy in dormitory 1”. Sondre Lerche is one of the artists who has interpreted Nilsen’s songs. – I have several fond memories of more or less random, warm and encouraging meetings with Lillebjørn through and through, says Lerche. Paying tribute to the portrayal of Oslo – Lillebjørn Nilsen has helped shape a part of the Norwegian people’s soul in our time, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to news. – He has been present for a very long time in our musical scene with lyrics and music that we can all hum along to, says Støre. Prime Minister Støre believes Nilsen is part of the people’s soul. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB – Do you have a favorite song? – I think many people remember when tens of thousands sang “Children of the Rainbow” at a dramatic time in our history. It was a way to rally around a message of peace. Coming from this city, Oslo, I know that he was someone who wrote beautifully about this city. Both in summer and at busy times. Culture and Equality Minister Lubna Jaffery believes Nilsen is making a mark. – For me personally, he has been important as an adult as well. I listen to his music a lot. He was the soundtrack to the city we are standing in, Oslo. There was no one else who was able to portray this city in a more wonderful way than Lillebjørn Nilsen, says Jaffery. Culture Minister Lubna Jaffery listens a lot to Lillebjørn Nilsen’s songs. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB Jaffery also points out the importance Nilsen’s song “Barn av regnbuen” gained after 22 July. – The songs he has written will live on long after he is gone. Luckily. Former Oslo mayor Marianne Borgen also pays tribute to the way Nilsen has written about the city: – Lillebjørn has meant an incredible amount to Oslo and built Oslo’s identity. It was a great pleasure and honor for me to present him with the city of Oslo’s highest award, the ST Halvard medal, in 2017 in Oslo City Hall. Storting President Masud Gharahkhani has written a message on X about Nilsen: – Lillebjørn Nilsen, the beloved artist remembered by several generations. His song Children of the Rainbow has made a strong impression on us all. Rest in peace, he writes.



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