Happy Birthday, Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean © Per Ole HagenChristopher Ocean has been one of the fastest rising stars on the R& B scene these last few years. He started out writing songs for such different artists as Justin Bieber, John Legend and Beyoncé. Three years ago he joined the hip hop collective OFWGKTA, or Odd Future as they are also known. On October 28th Frank Ocean is 27 years old.

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Happy Birthday Steve Cropper

Steve Cropper © Per Ole HagenSteve Cropper is 72 years old today, October 21st. He has been active as a musician, songwriter and producer for more than 50 years, and he is still touring as a member of the Blues Brothers Band. Some may know him from his time with Booker T and the MG’s, some will have seen him in the Blues Brothers movies, and some may know the songs he has written or co-written, Knock On Wood, In The Midnight Hour and (Sittin’ On The) Dock Of The Bay.

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Charles Bradley at Rockefeller

Charles Bradley © Per Ole HagenCharles Bradley has become one of my favorite soul artists after I saw him for the first time at the Oya festival in August last year. This year he played the Bergen festival in June, and he confirmed my first impresion. Tonight he played the Rockefeller in Oslo, and showed the fans that grown-ups can do just as well as the young ones.

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Satyricon – from Russia to Raade

Satyricon © Per Ole HagenI recently saw Satyricon at the Norwegian Opera, playing with the Norwegian Opera Choir. The concert was sold out and got great reviews.  Since then Satyricon have started a European tour that lasts until Christmas. Yesterday night they played a local festival in Raade, south of Oslo, and two days before they played in Sibir in Russia.

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Happy Birthday Paul Simon

Paul SImon © Per Ole HagenPaul Simon is one of rock history’s most important artists. Both as a solo artist from the 70s and on, but first of all from his collaborations with Art Garfunkel in the 60s. They created rock history with their songs, moving the pop music from the high school kids to the college. On October 13th Paul Simon is 72 years old.

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Jackson Browne – Artist and Activist

Jackson Browne © Per Ole HagenJackson Browne is probably more famous through his songs sung by others than for his own artistic achievements. He is also known for his activism against political injustice, and against nuclear weapons, co-founding Musicians United for Safe Energy. Today, October 9th, he is 65 years old.

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Happy Birthday Bob Geldof

Bob Geldof © Per Ole HagenBob Geldof started his career in the Boomtown Rats, who had one really big hit in 1979, “I Don’t Like Mondays”, about a sixteen years old who killed two and maimed eight. When asked why, she answered “Because I don’t like Mondays”. After Boomtown Rats, Bob Geldof starred in the Wall in 1982. The rest is history, as they say. Today he is 62 years old.

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