It was 27 years ago Bamses Venner represented Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest, but still today the band is a household name, they keep recording new songs and touring around the country. Their popularity was once again shown during an open air concert in Aalborg on 31st July .

The weather agreed with the calendar: it was summer! Bamses Venner proved that they are indeed a band that can entertain everyone: Theydescribe themselves asa family band- their own generation can enjoy their music together with their parents as well as their children – and in some cases even grandchildren.

Lead singer Flemming “Bamse” Jørgensen guided people through a career that started in 1973 although the big breakthrough came in 1975 with the smash hit Vimmersvej, a song about a woman not wearing pants! Through the past 32 years they have released more than 30 albums including a couple of solo albums from Bamse himself. Most of these albums have been bestsellers winning silver, gold, platin and even double and three time platin. As such they are one of the biggest successes in Danish music industry – despite the fact that their Eurovision Song Contest entry from 1980 Tænker altid på dig only came 14th. A greatest hits album released a couple of years ago including 30 of their biggest hits did not include this song either – they obviously have too many hits to chose from.

The band has changed crew over the years, but they still remain as friends (Venner) of the lead singer Flemming Bamse Jørgensen who writes all their songs. He also write songs for other musicians and has even taken part infour filmsand a TV series. In 1998 he received a price of honour through Dansk Musikerforbund. From their big career smash hits like Vimmersvej, Hvorfor går Louise til bal, I en lille båd der gynger, Kongens have and Vil du danse are worth mentioning. The band mainly sings in Danish, but Flemming “Bamse” Jørgensen” has released a couple of solo albums in English – the latest of these in 2005.

You can find a gallery with pictures from the concert here.