The History of Norwegian Rock Music

American rock enters Norway and turns the perception of what popular music is upside down. And what really happened during the rock riots in Oslo in 1956?

Inspired by The Shadows, shadows bands spring up across the country in the sixties. And the parent generation calls their music barbed-wire music.

Surrounded by screaming girls, parties, and scandals, the Pussycats are the first to live out what we associate with the sixties: Protest, colour, and free sex.

As the generational conflict intensifies, a rawer and bolder pop music emerges: Rhythm and blues.

Throughout the 60s, only the schlager singers sing in Norwegian. Then the Norwegian singer-songwriter wave emerges.

In the 70s, people begin in earnest to buy records. The record companies smell money, and the artists dream of breaking through abroad.