LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN
Come visit the people and places that had a profound effect on my life!
Come visit the people and places that had a profound effect on my life!
I have stated many times in conversations that the experiences of performing overseas in Scandinavia has left an indelible mark on my life. This is primarily due to the people I met in both Norway and Sweden.
This page features some individuals I consider extremely important and part of my extended family. They are all individuals with huge hearts and went out of their way to make me feel at home.
This page features some individuals I consider extremely important and part of my extended family. They are all individuals with huge hearts and went out of their way to make me feel at home.
Oslo, Norway was a very exciting and bustling city in 1985 when I first laid eyes on it's amazing constructions and very outgoing citizens. Back in Chicago while visiting the Norwegian consulate's office, I remember one of the clerks informing me not to be upset if Norwegians seemed cold and distant. Nothing could've been further from the reality I experienced.
I really think the key is extending trust to people. After a couple of weeks, I was in dire need of a laundromat. Oslo had many fine stores, museums and restaurants...but no cleaning facilities except the one in my hotel and the cost was ridiculously high!
In the music venue where I performed, I quickly built up a little fan base. Among the regulars was a spiky haired young lady who worked on a ferry boat in the area. She offered to take my clothes and take care of the cleaning. I was desperate, so I put my trust in her. She said it would take two days to bring everything back. I had a sleepless night. It was all for nothing. Two days later she brought everything back clean and even nicely packaged! She asked for nothing in return except a couple of songs.
I met many wonderful people that I will never forget. Jan...a representative from the booking agency in Oslo, loved to tease me. He once called me at five in the morning barking that the local police were looking for me. Then he confessed that he was simply telling me to have my visa stamped at the police station...a requirement for longer term visiting workers. I loved Jans great sense of humor.
I really think the key is extending trust to people. After a couple of weeks, I was in dire need of a laundromat. Oslo had many fine stores, museums and restaurants...but no cleaning facilities except the one in my hotel and the cost was ridiculously high!
In the music venue where I performed, I quickly built up a little fan base. Among the regulars was a spiky haired young lady who worked on a ferry boat in the area. She offered to take my clothes and take care of the cleaning. I was desperate, so I put my trust in her. She said it would take two days to bring everything back. I had a sleepless night. It was all for nothing. Two days later she brought everything back clean and even nicely packaged! She asked for nothing in return except a couple of songs.
I met many wonderful people that I will never forget. Jan...a representative from the booking agency in Oslo, loved to tease me. He once called me at five in the morning barking that the local police were looking for me. Then he confessed that he was simply telling me to have my visa stamped at the police station...a requirement for longer term visiting workers. I loved Jans great sense of humor.
Special mention must be made of an interesting gent name Harald Hoistakli. He worked as a receptionist at the Munch hotel in beautiful downtown Oslo. It was primarily a businessman's facility and I was booked there.
We bonded quickly...probably because we both drank beer on the roof of the hotel. (Great view up there!) His girlfriend at the time was named Aud and the two of them took quite good care of me.
They had a boat and took me for a little cruise up the Fiords. The best way to describe this stunning area is to imagine Hawaii with ice caps.
One night while performing at the Victoria, Harald dropped by to give me an umbrella because it was storming like crazy and the hotel was two blocks away. Harald spoke wonderful English , but had occasional vocabulary difficulties. When he handed me the umbrella he said, "Richard, I have brought you a parachute."
Harald and Aud came to Chicago for a visit and when asked what they wanted to see most in the United States they answered without hesitation..."Take us to a drive in movie!"
We bonded quickly...probably because we both drank beer on the roof of the hotel. (Great view up there!) His girlfriend at the time was named Aud and the two of them took quite good care of me.
They had a boat and took me for a little cruise up the Fiords. The best way to describe this stunning area is to imagine Hawaii with ice caps.
One night while performing at the Victoria, Harald dropped by to give me an umbrella because it was storming like crazy and the hotel was two blocks away. Harald spoke wonderful English , but had occasional vocabulary difficulties. When he handed me the umbrella he said, "Richard, I have brought you a parachute."
Harald and Aud came to Chicago for a visit and when asked what they wanted to see most in the United States they answered without hesitation..."Take us to a drive in movie!"
While working at the Victoria in Oslo, I was well taken care of by the staff of the Munch hotel. It was a small businessman's facility which was quite comfortable.
Not listed here is a gentleman named Singh. Once in a while around 2 or 3 in the morning, he would go to the kitchen and cook up some Indian omelettes. I've had a few of those puppies and can report with complete confidence that they were hot as hell!
I visited Oslo in 1985 and again in 1987. Many of the crew was still working there.
They served tea in the dining area every afternoon and I picked up the habit of indulging just about every day!
I actually met a couple of music giants stop by for tea such as Bo Diddley and Bob Geldoff. By the way, Bob had a perpetual frown on his face, yet he greeted people politely.
I will remember the Munch Hotel as my Norwegian home away from home. By the way, I recently took one of those ancestry dna tests and discovered I'm close to 30 percent NORWEGIAN!
Not listed here is a gentleman named Singh. Once in a while around 2 or 3 in the morning, he would go to the kitchen and cook up some Indian omelettes. I've had a few of those puppies and can report with complete confidence that they were hot as hell!
I visited Oslo in 1985 and again in 1987. Many of the crew was still working there.
They served tea in the dining area every afternoon and I picked up the habit of indulging just about every day!
I actually met a couple of music giants stop by for tea such as Bo Diddley and Bob Geldoff. By the way, Bob had a perpetual frown on his face, yet he greeted people politely.
I will remember the Munch Hotel as my Norwegian home away from home. By the way, I recently took one of those ancestry dna tests and discovered I'm close to 30 percent NORWEGIAN!
In 1986, I first set foot in Sweden. Perhaps it was a combination of fate and luck that the first place on my schedule was a lovely little town in the southernmost region of Sweden called Karlskrona.
The hotel I performed at was beautifully designed with the added bonus of a beautiful grand piano, meticulously tuned with with an acrylic top. I was very fortunate to develop a beautiful connection with the patrons.
My two favorite regulars were a bright eyed girl named, Annelie, accompanied by her father, Otto Henriksson. They wound up being my back up singers. I would find out years later that Annelie has an amazing voice and talent.
As Easter approached, I was invited to the Henriksson family gathering. I was chauffeured , wined and dined and welcomed into the family. I was adopted by Otto, his wife Ann Margret and the rest of the clan. Annelie's sisters, Carina and Lotta are both very special people.
Although there is no blood connection (obviously) Annelie and I decided that we would be brother and sister forever.
The hotel I performed at was beautifully designed with the added bonus of a beautiful grand piano, meticulously tuned with with an acrylic top. I was very fortunate to develop a beautiful connection with the patrons.
My two favorite regulars were a bright eyed girl named, Annelie, accompanied by her father, Otto Henriksson. They wound up being my back up singers. I would find out years later that Annelie has an amazing voice and talent.
As Easter approached, I was invited to the Henriksson family gathering. I was chauffeured , wined and dined and welcomed into the family. I was adopted by Otto, his wife Ann Margret and the rest of the clan. Annelie's sisters, Carina and Lotta are both very special people.
Although there is no blood connection (obviously) Annelie and I decided that we would be brother and sister forever.
I first met Ingrid Asander in a little town called Umea in Northern Sweden while I performed at the Prize Hotel lounge. She has been a friend ever since.
She has had several careers, including the ownership of a restaurant. Speaking of food, she told me the story of how she almost married a Jewish man and had intended to convert. This may have something to do with her life-long search for a good bagel.
This problem can easily be solved if she ever has an opportunity to visit us here in Florida. She has a wonderful gentleman in her life whom I respectfully call, TOOL MAN. (He's very handy around the house from what I hear.)
Ingrid has a wonderful command of the English language when it comes to speaking, along with a tremendous sense of humor. She has a number of close friends in the Middle East and has had the opportunity to visit Syria.
She is, without a doubt, a true people person and would walk many miles out of her way to help someone.
She has had several careers, including the ownership of a restaurant. Speaking of food, she told me the story of how she almost married a Jewish man and had intended to convert. This may have something to do with her life-long search for a good bagel.
This problem can easily be solved if she ever has an opportunity to visit us here in Florida. She has a wonderful gentleman in her life whom I respectfully call, TOOL MAN. (He's very handy around the house from what I hear.)
Ingrid has a wonderful command of the English language when it comes to speaking, along with a tremendous sense of humor. She has a number of close friends in the Middle East and has had the opportunity to visit Syria.
She is, without a doubt, a true people person and would walk many miles out of her way to help someone.
When it comes to piano bar entertainment, there is one man who has all the tools to give life to any environment. I first met Buddy Justineau in 1996 while working in Stockholm. (Buddy currently lives in Norway with his wife of many years...May-Britt.
He currently has, what I consider to be, THE BEST on line music presentation direct from his living room with an incredible view! This is more like television than a mere novelty for your devices.
I remember one night while enjoying his work at the Reisen Hotel lounge, he invited me to come up and do a few numbers. He is a very gracious and down to earth individual and I am happy to call him friend!
He has been and always will be one of the greatest piano bar entertainers in the world. When you have a chance, check out his facebook page.
He currently has, what I consider to be, THE BEST on line music presentation direct from his living room with an incredible view! This is more like television than a mere novelty for your devices.
I remember one night while enjoying his work at the Reisen Hotel lounge, he invited me to come up and do a few numbers. He is a very gracious and down to earth individual and I am happy to call him friend!
He has been and always will be one of the greatest piano bar entertainers in the world. When you have a chance, check out his facebook page.
Stockholm's Jessica Wimert is an extraordinary vocalist and composer.
She coaches voice these days, but has an impressive portfolio of accomplishments. I first saw her perform at the famous Grand Hotel and I'll never forget the power of her emotions that came through her vibrant singing. She is wonderful on the piano too.
I have been reminded of many things about the proper way to sing by listening to this stunning talent on various occasions. She loves it when I call her "COACH".
To this day we chat and listen to each other's work. I'm still waiting for her to record my song, LOST IN GAMLA STAN TONIGHT.
However, she is very busy not only performing at special gigs, but teaching a younger generation about the importance of music.
You can find Jessica on Spotify.
She coaches voice these days, but has an impressive portfolio of accomplishments. I first saw her perform at the famous Grand Hotel and I'll never forget the power of her emotions that came through her vibrant singing. She is wonderful on the piano too.
I have been reminded of many things about the proper way to sing by listening to this stunning talent on various occasions. She loves it when I call her "COACH".
To this day we chat and listen to each other's work. I'm still waiting for her to record my song, LOST IN GAMLA STAN TONIGHT.
However, she is very busy not only performing at special gigs, but teaching a younger generation about the importance of music.
You can find Jessica on Spotify.
MORE TO COME.....