Arne Bendiksen

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Arne Joachim Bendiksen, born October 19, 1926 in Bergen, Norway, is a Norwegian singer, composer and producer.

In the 50s, 60s and 70s, he was a major figure in Norwegian popular music. First, as a member of the group The Monn Keys, later as soloist and composer for other artists. Besides writing his own songs, he also translated many foreign hits into Norwegian, making them Norwegian hits. Arne Bendiksen took part in the Norwegian Eurovision Song Contest selections several times, both as an artist and as a songwriter. Three times he represented Norway in Eurovision as singer; in 1964 with Spiral as soloist, in 1973 with Å, for et spill and in 1974 with Hvor er du?. Four times he took part as composer, most memorable as songwriter for Åse Kleveland's Intet er nytt under solen in 1966, finishing a strong third.

Beginning in 1964 he was the boss of his own record company. Thanks to him, popular artists like Wenche Myhre and Kirsti Sparboe reached fame. However, in the Eurovision Song Contest finals of 1969, Norway received a mere 1 point for the song Oj, oj, oj, så glad jeg skal bli, which was composed by Arne Bendiksen and performed by Kirsti Sparboe.

Arne did not let this crush his spirits though, and he continued his dedicated work as a singer/songwriter throughout the 70s. In the 80s, he gave a shot at the popular children's cassette industry and released his major children's work Barnefest i Andeby - Children's party in Duckburg - a cassette filled with catchy songs about the various Disney characters inhabiting the fictional city of Duckburg. This popular cassette got a sequal, released especially for the christmas season, called Jul i Andeby - Christmas in Duckburg.

He is still active today. In June 2006, his all-new self-composed children's musical stage debuted in the small elementary school Fjellstrand Skole in Nesodden, Akershus.

[edit] Famous songs

• Jeg vil ha en blå ballong
• Intet er nytt under solen
• Oj, oj, oj, så glad jeg skal bli
• Lykken er...
• Og han kvakk-, kvakk-, kvakk-, kvakk-, kvakker når han ser, pengene blir fler' og fler'!
• Knekke egg
• Det blir ikke regn i dag

Preceded by Anita Thallaug

Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 1964

Succeeded by Kirsti Sparboe