Nora Brockstedt, who was the first Norwegian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1960 and 1961, has passed away this evening at the age of 92.

Nora’s musical career began in 1943 as she joined the Chat Noir cabaret theatre in Oslo. In 1960, she won the first Melodi Grand Prix and went on to represent Norway with the song Voi voi, which became her most famous hit. She ended up 4th and represented the country again in 1961 with Sommer i Palma, finishing 7th on the scoreboard.

She tried her luck again in Melodi Grand Prix 1965, 1968 and 1977 but did not win.

Nora performing Voi voi with the Deep River Boys from USA, 1960:

Brockstedt received numerous awards and honors, including the King’s Medal of Merit in 1995, Spellemann honorary award in 1974 and Prøysen Prize Award in 1997. Two years ago she joined the Hall of Fame at the Rockheim Museum of Music, for her big impact on the development of Norway’s pop music.

She died after a short illness at a Ullevaal hospital in Oslo, surrounded by her closest relatives.

Norway’s minister of culture, Thorhild Widvey, has mourned Nora in her twitter account, writing “Nora Brockstedt delivered great music since her debut in 1943 and until lately. A central figure in Norwegian music, which will be missed.”

Watch Nora performing Voi voi in the Melodi Grand Prix of 2000: