Joachim Nielsen

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Joachim Nielsen (September 8, 1964 - October 17, 2000), better known as Jokke, was a Norwegian rock musician and poet. He was the frontman of Norwegian rock band Jokke & Valentinerne, the brother of cartoonist Christopher Nielsen, and son of the artist John David Nielsen.

Jokke & Valentinerne (in English Jokke and the Valentines) were formed in 1982 consisting of Nielsen on guitar and vocals, his long time partner May-Irene Aasen on drums and Håkon Torgersen on bass. The band went on to become one of the most popular bands in Oslo's underground rock scene. Their first album Alt kan repareres was released in 1986.

Much of the band's lyrics were about alcohol, and Jokke had a reputation of frequently getting drunk on stage. In 1992, he created a scandal when he received Spellemannsprisen (the Norwegian equivalent of the Grammy awards) visibly drunk and/or under the influence of drugs. Still, one must not dismiss his lyrics as being shallow drinking songs. All his lyrics, including the much-played and catchy Øl ("Beer"), have a deeper tone describing his harsh lifestyle with drugs, alcohol and general anxiety towards the society and the people close to him.

In the mid-90s, Jokke had developed a heroin addiction, and had several stays at rehabilitation clinics. By the turn of the millennium, many of his close friends believed that he had conquered his inner demons. However, he died suddenly of a drug overdose in October 2000, aged 36.

In 2005, a double tribute album entitled "Det beste til meg og mine venner" (The best to me and my friends) was released, which featured cover versions of Jokkes best known work from Norwegian artists.

It is rumoured that Christopher Nielsen's Free Jimmy's drug addict elephant is based on Joachim. Christopher neither denies nor confirms it (although the film is dedicated to Joachim and his name is quoted before the final credits).