Ulf Lundell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ulf Lundell
|
|
|---|---|
Lundell on stage in Borgholm, Sweden in 2005
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ulf Gerhard Lundell |
| Born | 20 November 1949 Stockholm, Sweden |
| Genres | Rock |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1975–present |
| Labels |
|
| Associated acts | Nature |
Ulf Gerhard Lundell (born 20 November 1949) is a Swedish writer, poet, songwriter, musician, and artist. He is a very important figure in Swedish rock music.
Ulf Lundell started his music career in 1975 with his first album, Vargmåne. People quickly called him "Sweden's Bob Dylan". The next year, 1976, he published his first novel, Jack. This book helped him become very well-known. Ulf Lundell was inspired by famous musicians like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Neil Young. He also liked writers such as Jack Kerouac.
Contents
Ulf Lundell's Life and Music Journey
Early Life and First Steps in Music
Ulf Lundell's father, Gerhard Lundell, was a blacksmith. His mother, Ingrid, worked as a school meal assistant and seamstress. His family moved to Saltsjö-Boo, near Stockholm, in 1958. When he was ten, Ulf got his first guitar. His older sister's boyfriend taught him how to play some basic chords.
Before becoming famous, from 1967 to 1975, Ulf Lundell had many different jobs. One of these jobs was being a postman. During these years, he wrote many songs and poems. He sent his work to different music companies and publishers.
He sent his music to a company called EMI in 1974. They liked his songs and decided to record an album with him. In 1975, his first album, Vargmåne (which means Wolf Moon), was released.
Becoming Famous: Music and Books
In 1976, Ulf Lundell's first novel, Jack, came out. This book was a big success and sold many copies. It was about young people wanting to live freely after the changes of the 1960s. While his book was becoming popular, he was already working on his second music album.
His second album, Törst (Thirst), was released just three months after Jack. He continued to write books, releasing two more in the 1970s. After Törst, he released a live album called Natten hade varit mild och öm. For this album, the band Nature played with him.
In 1978, his third studio album, Nådens år (Year of Grace), came out. It included a special song, "Snön faller och vi med den" ("Snow Falls And We With It"), which he sang with Agnetha Fältskog from ABBA. In 1979, Lundell released his fourth studio album, Ripp rapp. This album had a stronger rock sound than his earlier works.
The 1980s: Big Hits and New Directions
In 1980, Ulf Lundell released Längre inåt landet, which was recorded in England. This album included popular songs like "Glad igen" ("Happy Again"). Two years later, in 1982, he released the album Kär och galen (In Love and Crazy). This album had his most famous song, "Öppna landskap" ("Open Landscapes"). This song made him one of Sweden's biggest artists.
Other popular songs from Kär och galen were the title track "Kär och galen" and "När jag kysser havet" ("When I Kiss the Sea").
Later, Lundell released two more albums. One album, Sweethearts, had Swedish versions of English songs. The other, 12 sånger, was an acoustic album. In 1985, he released Den vassa eggen (The Sharp Edge). This album was very popular with critics. In 1987, Lundell released his book Tårpilen and the album Det ljuva livet (The Good Life).
In 1988, Lundell became a Christian. His new faith influenced his album Evangeline, released that same year. In 1989, he released his autobiography, En varg söker sin flock ("A Wolf in Search of his Pack"). He also released the album Utanför murarna (Outside the Walls). Since 1989, he has also been creating visual art.
The 1990s to Today
In 1992, Lundell released a new novel called Saknaden. This book was the first part of a series of three books. In 1993, he released the album Måne över Haväng, which included songs like "Rött" and "Isabella". This was the first album that Lundell produced completely by himself.
In 1994, he started his own music company, Rockhead Studios AB. That same year, he released the acoustic album Xavante. Around this time, Lundell focused more on music than on writing books.
In 1995, Ulf Lundell celebrated 20 years as an artist. The next year, he released a double album called På andra sidan drömmarna and a live album named Bosnia. His music started to show more influence from Neil Young. In 1999, he released Fanzine, an album recorded partly in a studio and partly live. Also in 1999, he released Friheten, the second book in his trilogy.
His album I ett vinterland (2000) became his second best-selling album. Two years later, he released the double album Club Zebra, which reached number one in Sweden. Between 2003 and 2005, he released four more studio albums. These included the acoustic album En eld ikväll and a series of three albums: Ok Ok Baby, Högtryck, and Lazarus. The year 2005 was very busy for Lundell. He released two albums and the novel Värmen, which was the last part of his book trilogy. This was also the year he celebrated 30 years as an artist.
In 2008, Lundell went on tour for the first time in over two years. He also released his first studio album in three years. He continued touring in 2009. In 2010, Lundell released a new book, En öppen vinter, which also came with a CD of 11 new songs.
In the summer of 2010, Lundell went on another tour. He broke the audience record for a Swedish artist at Gröna Lund, a famous amusement park, on July 30. Over 22,000 people attended his concert. Only Bob Marley and Lady Gaga have had more people at their concerts there.
A concert tour planned for spring 2011 had to be canceled because Ulf Lundell was sick.
Ulf Lundell's Family Life
Ulf Lundell has been married two times. His first marriage was in 1977 to Barbro Zackrisson. They separated in 1988. In 1989, Lundell married Fredrika Stjärne, but they separated in 1991. He has three children from his first marriage, including the journalist Sanna Lundell. He has one child from his second marriage. In the mid-1990s, he dated the poet Isabella Nerman. He even wrote a song about her called "Isabella."
Images for kids
-
Lundell on stage in Borgholm, Sweden in 2005
-
Lundell signing En öppen vinter, Stockholm 2010.
