Jokke & Valentinerne (in English Jokke and the Valentines) were formed in 1982 consisting of Nielsen on guitar and vocals, his long time partner May-Irene Aasen on drums and Håkon Torgersen on bass. The band went on to become one of the most popular bands in Oslo’s underground rock scene. Their first album Alt kan repareres was released in 1986. Much of the band’s lyrics were about alcohol, and Jokke had a reputation of frequently getting drunk on stage. In 1992, he created a scandal when he received Spellemannsprisen (the Norwegian equivalent of the Grammy awards) visibly drunk and/or under the influence of drugs. In the mid-90s, Jokke had developed a heroin addiction, and had several stays at rehabilitation clinics. By the turn of the millennium, many of his close friends believed that he had conquered his inner demons. However, he died suddenly of a drug overdose in October 2000, aged 36. In 2005, a double tribute album entitled “Det beste til meg og mine venner” (The best for me and my friends) was released, which featured cover versions of Jokkes best known work from Norwegian artists. |
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