Arne Bendiksen, who represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest once as a singer and four times as a composer, died yesterday at the age of 82 after a short stay in hospital. He is said to be one of the most successful Norwegian musicians ever.
Arne Bendiksen wrote many successful songs like Jeg vil ha en blå ballong, Tømmer-Jon, I dag har jeg brent mine kjærlighetsbrev, Davy Crockett. One of his best known songs is La meg være ung, which finished third in the 1964 Norwegian national final but became a number one hit by Wencke Myhre. You may also know it from the interval act of the second semi final of this year's MGP, which was dedicated to this schlager.The same year, Arne Bendiksen won the national final as a singer with Spiral, which was composed by Sigurd Jansen. In Copenhagen, he finished eighth among the 16 participants.
Later, he would represent Norway four times as a composer: In 1966, Åse Kleveland finished third with the song Intet er nytt udner solen, which was the highest placing for a Norwegian entry until 1985. In 1969, his composition Oj, oj, oj så glad jeg skal bli, which was a number one hitby Kirsti Sparboe,was less successful in the contest and finished last with only one point. The song Lykken er performed by Hanne Krogh (number five in the charts)did only slightly better in 1971 finishing second last. In 1973 his last Eurovision Song Contest entry was song by the Bendik Singers: It's just a game finished seventh in Luxembourg.
Videos
Wencke Myhre performing La meg være ung:
Arne Bendiksen singing Spiral live in 1964 (sound only):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVwX3CBU-nk
Intet er nytt under solen by Åse Kleveland in the national final:
Kirsti Sparboe in Madrid:
Lykken er performed by Hanne Krogh in 1971:
The Bendik Singers in Luxembourg:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx3pWDYQHHc
Many thanks to Keith Timmons for the contribution.
