Joachim Nielsen

Joachim Nielsen (September 8, 1964 - October 17, 2000), better known as Jokke, was a Norwegian rock musician and poet. He was the frontman of Norwegian rock band Jokke & Valentinerne, the brother of cartoonist Christopher Nielsen, and son of the artist John David Nielsen.

Jokke & Valentinerne ( _en. 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" ( _en. Everything can be repaired) 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 Spellemannprisen (the Norwegian equivalent of the Grammy awards) visibly drunk and/or under the influence of drugs. Still, one must not dismiss his lyrics as being shallow drinking songs. All his lyrics, including the much-played and catchy "Øl" ("Beer"), have a deeper tone describing a harsh lifestyle with drugs, alcohol and general anxiety towards the society and the people close to him. Nielsen's lyricism is closely related to the American writer Charles Bukowski, in describing societal underdogs, misfits and so-called anti-heroes. Nielsen's lyrics show strong sympathy for people who are somewhat scarred by life, and in addition, are deeply working class-conscious. The Norwegian poet Rudolf Nilsen and musician Alf Prøysen are two other influences, in both a literal and a musical sense.

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" ( _en. The best for me and my friends) was released, which featured cover versions of Jokke's best known work from Norwegian artists.Later that year (around Christmas time) a single was released featuring three previously unreleased songs, called "Tomgang".

It is rumored that his brother, Christopher Nielsen, a cartoonist, based one of his characters on Jokke (the drug addicted elephant from Free Jimmy). Christopher neither denies nor confirms it (although the film is dedicated to Joachim and his name is quoted before the final credits).

Discography

Jokke & Valentinerne

* "Alt kan repareres" (1986)
* "Et hundeliv" (1987)
* "III" (1990)
* "Frelst" (1991)
* "Alt kan repeteres" (1994)
* "Spenn!" (greatest hits) (1995)
* "Prisen for popen" (greatest hits) (2002)

oloalbum

* "Nykter" (1996)

Jokke med Tourettes

* "Trygge Oslo" (1997)
* "Billig Lykke" (1999)
* "Tomgang" (2005)

External links

* [http://www.saghaug.no/jokke/ Jokke discography] - A complete discography.