Gasolin'

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Gasolin'


Img_capt = Gasolin' in the seventies. From left to right: Franz Beckerlee, Wili Jønsson, Søren Berlev and Kim Larsen.
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Origin = Christianshavn, Copenhagen, Denmark
Genre = Rock
Years_active = 1969–1978
Label = CBS, Sonet, Spectator
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Past_members = Franz Beckerlee Wili Jønsson Kim Larsen Bjørn Uglebjerg Søren Berlev

Gasolin' was a Danish rock band from Christianshavn in Copenhagen formed by Kim Larsen and Franz Beckerlee and Wili Jønsson in 1969. Their first drummer was the late Bjørn Uglebjerg. He was replaced by Søren Berlev in 1971. At the formation the guitar playing of Franz Beckerlee was inspired by Jimi Hendrix and the singing and lyrics of Larsen was inspired by Bob Dylan, while the rhythm playing of Jönsson and Berlev owed much to The Beatles. However, they would soon develop their own musical identity. The pop sensibility of Kim Larsen, the artistic attitude of Franz Beckerlee and the musical competence of Wili Jønsson would prove to be a recipe for success. Søren Berlev would be the Ringo: The steady and lovable drummer. As for Kim's influence it's more Danish folk rock. Gasolin's lyrics were generally written by the entire group, often with the assistance of lyricist friend Mogens Mogensen.

History

In 1970 Gasolin' released their first single: "Silky Sally" followed by "Child of Institution" and "Johnny The Jackpot". These three singles were sung in English and flopped. Their debut album and the subsequent albums had Danish lyrics and was a success. Although they would occasionally still sing in English, Danish proved to be the language where they could express themselves most eloquently and this was acknowledged and rewarded by the Danish audience and critics.

From 1972 to 1978 Gasolin' was the most popular rock band in Denmark. With producer Roy Thomas Baker they released such classics as "Gasolin' 3", "Gas 5" and "Efter endnu en dag"; albums that sound as fresh and innovative now as they did then. In that respect Gasolin' may be considered as the Danish Beatles: Each album was a landmark and like The Beatles, they broke up at the pinnacle of their success. The reasons for the split was the failure to break the international market and personal differences.

After the demise Kim Larsen would go on to become a very successful solo artist; his album from 1983, "Midt om Natten", is the best selling album in Denmark ever. Wili Jønsson and Søren Berlev would go on playing music as session musicians and in various bands. Franz Beckerlee works as an artist, but occasionally he played with Søren Berlev in Christianhavns Bluesband and in 1979 he released "No Kiddin' ".

In 1991 the CD compilation, "Rabalderstræde Forever", became a big seller, so did the box set from 2003, "The Black Box". In 2006 a movie called "Gasolin' 4-ever" directed by Anders Østergaard became the most popular documentary movie in Denmark ever. Despite this, Gasolin' has always refused to reunite.

Discography

Albums

* "Gasolin'" (1971) CBS 64685
* "Gasolin' 2" (1972) CBS 65229
* "Gasolin' 3" (1973) CBS 65798
* "Gasolin'" (1974) CBS 80099
* "The Last Jim" (1974) CBS 80470
* "Stakkels Jim" (1974) CBS 80549
* "Gas 5" (1975) CBS 80993
* "Live sådan" (1976 - live record) CBS 88207
* "What a Lemon" (1976) Epic EPC 81436 (NL)
* "Efter endnu en dag" (1976) CBS 81650
* "Gør det noget" (1977) CBS 82378
* "Killin' Time" (1978) CBS 82900
* "Live i Skandinavien" (1978 - live record) CBS 83240
* "Supermix 1" (1980 - compilation) CBS 83985
* "Supermix" (1980 - compilation) CBS 84154
* "Rabalderstræde Forever" (1991 - compilation) CBS 467871 1
* "Derudaf Forever" (1993 - live record) COL 473076 1
* "A Foreign Affair" (1997 - compilation) COL 417177 2
* "Gasolin' Forever" (1999 - compilation) COL 9907-03
* "The Early Years" (2000 - compilation) COL 498472 2
* "A Foreign Affair II" (2002 - compilation) COL 2965-05
* "The Black Box" (2003 - box set) COL 513876 2

"All albums released on CBS or Columbia Records."

Non-album singles

* "Silky Sally" / "I've Got to Find The Loser" (1970 - Spectator Records)
* "Child of Institution" / "The Escape" and "W.J." (1970 - Sonet)
* "Johnny The Jackpot" / "Get in Touch with Tomorrow" (1971 - CBS)
* "Holy Jean" / "Lady Rain" (1973 - CBS)
* "Fed lykke til alle" / "I Love You Baby and Truckdriver Blues" (1973 - CBS)
* "Hva' gør vi nu, lille du" / "Keep on Knockin' " (1976 - CBS)
* "Endelig jul igen" / "Get On The Train" (1977 - CBS)
* "Where Do We Go Now, Mon Ami" / "Killin' Time" (1978 - CBS)
* "Uh-Lu-La-Lu" / "Killin' Time" (1978 - CBS)
* "Bob-Shi-Bam (Live)" / "Girl You Got Me Lonely" (Live) (12" only/blue vinyl) (1978 - CBS)
* "Dejlig er jorden" / "Endelig jul igen" (1979 - CBS)

References

* Paul-Jørgen Budtz: Gasolin' (1976)
* Peder Bundgaard: Masser af success (1993 and 2003)
* http://www.dr.dk/Musik/Rock/Temaer/Gasolin/Artikler/0315095554.htm