Knutsen & Ludvigsen

Knutsen & Ludvigsen is a musical duo from Trondheim, Norway, who wrote and performed various songs for children. They released seven albums from 1970 to 1983, two of which received Spellemannprisen - the Norwegian Grammy. They had several #1 hits, including "Grevling i taket" (Badger in the ceiling), "Hallo! Hallo!" and "Dum og deilig" (Stupid and gorgeous). They officially split up in 1987.

The duo consists of Øystein Dolmen and Gustav Lorentzen (1947 - 2010). They were both active members of "Studentersamfundet" (Students Society) in the late 60's in Trondheim, Norway when they started playing together.

The concept/setting for all their albums is of two broke musicians "Knutsen and Ludvigsen", who live in a tunnel, where they play all day. The "bad-guys" are most often the police, the Norwegian government and the train conductor (who clips holes in everything around him).

Knutsen & Ludvigsen's lyrics were often playful and psychedelic, with a naive anarchistic moral. Several of their lyrics contain hidden meanings suggesting to the adult listener that it's not just child's play going on in their tunnel. Several of their songs have been used as political manifestos for leftist groups and parties in Norway.

Since the late 90's, they have enjoyed a cult status among young Norwegians, being headlines at leading festivals and rock clubs. October 26, 2006, Norwegian TV2 broadcasted the program "Knutsen & Ludvigsen - The full Story".

The Norwegian Pop & Rock Encyclopedia says: "This was more than a famous duo - Knutsen & Ludvigsen was a notion. The whole rock generation from the nineties was nourished by their records.

Gustav Lorentzen sadly passed away April 21 2010.