Björgvin Halldórsson

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Björgvin Helgi Halldórsson (born on April 16, 1951) is a famous Icelandic pop singer from Hafnarfjörður. Björgvin came to fame singing with bands such as Bendix, Ævintýri, Flowers and Brimkló. He is respected for his professionalism, consistently giving an inspired performance.^{[citation needed]}

Björgvin represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1995 with the song Núna, coming in 15th place with 31 points.

Björgvin has worked as an announcer for the television broadcasting company Stöð 2 since the early days of the company. He has been dubbed "Hin gullna rödd Stöðvar 2" (The golden voice of Stöð 2).^{[citation needed]} His announcements are audio only and commonly of the following form: "Farið ekki langt því næst á dagskrá er…" (Don't go far because coming up is…).

Björgvin is also famous for his sarcastic comments and replies, some of which are classics of the modern Icelandic oral tradition.^{[citation needed]} One of these is the following reply which Björgvin allegedly gave when he was charged for a taxi ride^{[citation needed]} (in some tellings a pizza delivery^{[citation needed]}): "Myndirðu rukka Elvis?"^{[citation needed]} (Would you charge^{[citation needed]} Elvis?).

Another comment Björgvin allegedly said, quoted from a former roadie, when he was asked to hurry up on stage because the crowd was waiting for him: "Það er ekki gó fyrr en Bó segir gó" (It's not go 'till Bo says go).

He also has a reputation for making sarcastic remarks about other people^{[citation needed]}, especially other musicians^{[citation needed]}. For example, he allegedly^{[citation needed]} called Eiríkur Hauksson "the best red-haired heavy metal vocalist in Iceland today"^{[citation needed]} some time in the 1980s. (A sincere compliment on Eiríkur's performance would not have required such a narrow classification.)

His daughter, Svala, was a pop singer. She is now in a house group called Steed Lord.

Björgvin Halldórsson was born on April 16th 1951. He started singing with the band Bendix and the moment he first appeared on stage singing Penny Lane, he kickstarted one of the most brilliant careers in Icelandic pop music history. He soon formed the band Ævintýri (Fairy Tale) with Sigurjón Sighvatsson and Arnar Sigurbjörnsson.

He fulfilled his dream of becoming a star with that band when they performed in the Laugardalshöllin arena for 4300 people who then voted him pop star of the year on October 1st 1969. Ævintýri wanted to release an album but the label thought a solo album with Björgvin would be more profitable.

The album was released late in 1970 and sold well. The guys from Ævintýri formed a new band called Brimkló, but Björgvin soon left because of musical differences. He joined the band Change for a short time and then left to join the band Hljómar which was reuniting. They released the album Hljómar 74 in 1974 but it wasn´t a commercial success so the band dissolved.

Instead they formed the band Ðe lónlí blú boys which became extremely popular and released many fun-filled albums. Björgvin worked with Gunnar Þórðarsson on two albums of children..s ballads called Einu sinni var which was released in 1976 and is still on of the best selling albums in Icelandic history and Út um græna grundu a year later.

In 1976 Brimkló was revived and became a hit with their first LP. In 1978 Björgvin released his second solo album, Ég syng fyrir þig (I Sing for You) which is one of his most popular albums. In 1979 Björgvin put on his leather jacket and rock´n rolled with comedic brother-duo Halli og Laddi in the band HLH. They released a few albums through the years and were always hugely popular.

In 1980 Björgvin released the album Dagar og Nætur (Days and Nights) with singer Ragnhildur Gísladóttir which became very popular despite the great punk revolution that was finding its way to Iceland at the time. In 1982 his third solo album Á hverju kvöldi (Every Night) was released.

In 1986 he released the album Björgvin which contains a few of his most popular songs, e.g. Ég lifi í Draumi by Eyjólfur Kristjánsson and Ástin by Valgeir Guðjónsson. A year later his first Christmas album of three, where Björgvin sings with known Icelandic singers, was released. The other two albums Allir fá þá eitthvað fallegt and Jólagestir 3 were released in 1989 and 1995. In 1993 Björgvin released the album Kom Heim (Come Home).

The songs Gullvagninn and Milljón glappaskotin became instant hits and Björgvin was one of the first artists to make gospel music popular in Iceland. Later he made two other gospel albums Hærra til þín in 1995 and Alla leið heim in 1997.

Many of his songs have been collected on various compilation albums. In 2001 Björgvin released a new solo album and surprised people with his renditions of two songs by Icelandic artist Megas. Björgvin has also worked as a producer and musical director. His voice can be heard on more than 500 recordings in Icelandic music history and he has taken part in many song contests both in Iceland and abroad.

In 2003 Björgvin released an album where he sings duets with many of Iceland..s most popular younger singers.

In 2005 Bjorgvin released a triple CD box , containing 70 of his most popular songs, along with 4 new recordings. Bjorgvin has recorded around 900 songs in his successful career. This Compilation Box was a best seller before Christmas and sold around 13.000 units in Iceland and is still going strong.

To celebrate Bjorgvins 35 years in the recording business he staged a show at the prestigious Broadway Club in Reykjavik. The show premiered in October and is still running to a packed house. A 9 piece band with 2 actors and 4 dancers take you through Bjorgvin´s songs through the years in 2 hours.

In November 2006 Bjorgvin staged concerts at the Sports Stadium in Reykjavik. Along with the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra , The Male Choir Fostbrædur, rock band and some of the most popular singers in Iceland he sold out the stadium 3 times..a total of 10.000 people. These concerts are now released on DVD and CD and are receiving rave reviews and are avalailable in all records stores in Iceland. Also available on the internet at www.tonlist.is and wwww.tonlist.com. These concerts were released in November in a 2 CD box. One DVD and a CD. This box was at the top of the charts in Iceland over Christmas and was the seasons best seller. The concerts were also screened on New Years day on Channel 2 in Iceland

Bjorgvin wil still be recording and producing. His next project are various and exiting projects. He will be in the studio for the vinter of 2007 producing albums. Among the projects that Bo will be working on on is a tripute album to the country legend Hank Williams. Bo is hoping to have many of the top Icelandic artists to take part in this project. Also in the works is the 7th "Songs of Iceland" album that contains many of the best Icelandic songs from way back when. Bo is also writing material for a new solo album. Release date is not confirmed. The Icelandic Music Awards were televised from Borgarleikhusid in Reykjavik on January 31st. Awards were handed out to many of Icelands leading artists. Bo was nominated in 2 categories, performer of the year 2006 and as a part of the Band Baggalutur ....www.baggalutur.is.... Bo sang the lead in one of the most popular songs of 2006 " Allt fyrir mig". Bo won the performer of the year award. He closed the show with the band Baggalutur. The radio station RADIO 700 in Germany featured Bo in a 3 hour radio show recently. A crew of two traveled to Iceland with the help of Icelandair and interviewed Bo and they went over his career and played some 30 songs. It was broadcasted in April to a large audience of listeners. A podcast is available on the following podcast site. http://www.radio700.de/podcasts/startreff/05_bjoergvin_halldorsson.mp3 Bo is now preparing for his production of the CD´s SONGS OF ICELAND SERIES. Bo has produced 5 of these popular CD´s. Now the 7th one is in the works and will feature many of the most popular Icelandic Pop songs through the years. Many of the popular singers in Iceland will perform. The CD´s will be simply called Songs of Iceland 7 ( íslandslög 7) The recording will fininsh in June this year 2007. Release date is scheduled for 17th of July 2007. Along with this release a box of 6 albums of Songs of Iceland will be released. So in total 7 albums will be available, containg Iceland favorite songs. After that Bo will begin work on other projects as well as a solo album with new material.

Here is an update (august 25tth 07) . Icelandic Songs 7 is out now and has had great success. It was number 1 for three weeks on the sales Chart here in Iceland. Also the The Iceland Songs 6 cd box has remaines in top three position. Plans for a new Christmas album is in the works and Bo is busy in the studio recording the new album. There will be many great performers guesting on this album. Along with the release of this album, Sena Music will be releasing box of 3 Christmas albums from the past. These are the popular "Jolagestir" albums that bo did release some years ago and have become a classic seasonal albums in Iceland.. UPDATE NOV 3RD THE NEW CHRISTMAS ALBUM IS FINISHED AND IS BEING MASTERED THE PERFORMERS ON THIS ALBUM ARE. SVALA BJORGVINS, GARDAR THOS CORTES, STEFAN HILMARSSON, EDGAR SMARI. EYHOLFUR KRISTJANSSON,BJORGVIN FRANZ,SIGRIDUR BEINTEINS AND THE GOSPEL CHOIR OF REYKJAVIK

Update 25th November 2007 3 Christmas concerts as advertised will be on schedule at the Laugardal Sports Stadium in Reykjavík on the 8 and 9th of December. All tickets 9000 in total, for 3 shows are now sold out. The name of the concerts is "JOLAGESTIR BJORGVINS" Bo will perform, along with his many guest, many of his most popular Christmas songs.The guest are: Sigridur Beinteisdottir, Svala Bjorgvinsdottir, Helgi Bjornsson, Stefan Hilmarss, Eyjolfur Kristjansson, Fridrik Omar, Bjorgvin Franz, Ragnar Bjarnason, Edgar Smari and Bjarni Arason and more. 12 piece band will back up Bo, consisting of many of the best musicians in Iceland. Mr Thor Baldursson is the arranger, Bjorn Bjornsson will direct and design the stage. 18 piece string orchestra along with a Gospel Choir, children's choir and a male choir will also perform. Everything possible will be done to make this a momorable event.

UPDATE 11TH DECEMBER 2007 All three concerts were sold out and the reception was great. Everybodu agrees that the sound quality at the concerts was top notch. All production was done by Concert Inc and Sena , which is Bo´s record label.The highpoint of the concerts was when the children's choir started to sing White Christmas, it started to snow on stage. All the performers delivered their stuff with great professionalism.. The Christmas triple CD box along with the new Christmas album are taking of and getting a lot of airplay.

UPDATE Feb.4th.2008 The Christmas triple CD box was a success over Christmas and the new Christmas CD Jolagestir 4 was warmly received, That CD will be included in the CD box for next Christmas. Bo and company are now busy preparing for the concert in Copenhagen on the 24th of April this year ...1st day of summer. The venue for the concert is the Cirkus Byggningen in the middle of Copenhagen The promoter of this one off concert is the event company www.koben.is and www.icelandair.is. There is a lot of info on these internet sites. People can purchase both tickets for the show, and airline tickets.There will be dinner before the show and a dance until the early ours of the morning. Bo´s backing band will be the same that played the Christmas shows. They will be joined by a 18 piece string orchestra from the royal opera orchestra of Copenhagen. Special guests will be, Stefan Hilmarsson, Svala Bjorgvinsdottir, Eyjolfur Kristjansson, Sigga Beinteins and Regina Osk and many more. A special secret guest will be introduced. Musical Arrangements will be in the hands of Mr. Thor Baldurson. Tickets sales are in full swing and sales are soaring.

UPDATE 10TH MARCH Bo will be appearing on the following concerts. on the 19th of march there will be tripute concert at the Reykjavik Theatre honoring the band The Eagles. Bo will appear with many of popular singers in Iceland and perform two songs. Lyin´eyes and Theres a hole in the world tonight. Two concerts planned that night. Tickets available at ww.midi.is On the 22 March there will be another tribute concert in the movie theatre Haskolabio. This concert is honoring The Beatles and their masterpiece Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club band. Bo will perform many songs with a full band and a 40 piece orchestra. Tickets available at www.midi.is

More updates will follow

More info on Bo and his music at the following sites myspace.com/bohalldorssonband

http://www.mbl.is/mm/gagnasafn/grein.html?radnr=1105185

http://www.tonlist.com/ViewArtist.aspx?AuthorID=2611 http://www.bo.is

Update april 17th Rehearsals are over for bo..s concert in the Cirkus Building in Copenhagen on the 24th apríl. Bo will travel to Copenhagen next week along with a crew of 30 people consisting of technicians, musicisians and singers. String orchestra will accompany Bo in the concert. The orchestra is from The Royal Opera Orchestra in Copenhagen. This will be a dinner show. After the concert Bo and the singers will perfom one set for guests and after that The Euroband wiith Fridrik Omar and Regina, the Icelandic entry for Eurovison 2008 will perform one set This will be a fun night and tickets are almost sold out UPDATE MAY 3RD The concert at the Cirkus Building in Copenhagen was a big success, went beyond our wildest dreams. The house was full. 1000 people attended in total. 600 had dinner and 400 came and to the ball and party..d until the wee hours of the morning. The town of Copenhagen was buzzing this night. Bo was in good form and the crowd loved the concert. The famous Icelandic singer Ragnar Bjarnason was the guest of honor and together he and Bo sang a few songs. The band was fantastic and the String orchestra from the Danish Royal opera company was outstanding. The icelandic entry for Eurovison 2008...The Euroband closed the night with a selection of Eurosongs that really captured the happy audience. We are sure that this is the beginning of a lot of concerts abroad for Bo in the coming year. Some new pictures from the concert are now up and running on www.myspace.com/bohalldorssonband ==External links==