Sebastian (singer) explained

Sebastian
Background:solo_singer
Birth Name:Knud Torben Grabow Christensen
Alias:Sebastian
Birth Date:19 December 1949
Origin:Sønderborg, Denmark[1] [2]
Instrument:Vocals, acoustic guitar
Genre:Folk rock, pop rock, musical
Occupation:Musician, singer, songwriter
Years Active:1967–present
Website:https://sebastianfan.dk/

Knud Grabow Christensen (born 19 December 1949),[3] better known by his stage name Sebastian, is a Danish singer, guitarist and songwriter.[4]

Sebastian started playing guitar in 1966, and started writing songs in 1967. Since having worked in the folk rock genre in the 1970s, he became one of the most prominent pop rock musicians in Denmark and has scored numerous films and plays. His releases have reached combined sales of over 2.5 million copies since 1971.[1] His singing voice began weakening in the end of the 1980s, because of bad health. He is still active, and has made several popular albums. So far, his career has spanned more than five decades.

Career

Sebastian began his career in the end of the 1960s, where he traveled about with a bus for amateur competitions, arranged by a businessman for small concerts in Denmark. Some others from the bus wanted to record a single, and Sebastian participated with this group called Night and Day. Although the single was never recorded.[5] Inspired by the Scottish singer and songwriter Donovan (born 1946), Sebastian recorded a couple of English-language singles released in 1970, as well as the album The Goddess released in 1971. The album had limited success with sales of around 10,000 copies,[6] so Sebastian began to write songs in Danish about 1971. His first Danish song was Lossepladsen bløder (partly inspired by Bob Dylan's "Desolation Row" from the album Highway 61 Revisited),[7] [8] which was released as a maxi single that year.

Sebastian's major commercial breakthrough in the music industry came when his first Danish-language LP Den store flugt was released on 17 October 1972,[9] which was praised as a "Donovan-like Dylan" among other things in the reviews back then. Den store flugt was right below the 32,000 sold copies of Denmark's best-selling album that year, namely Olsen by the Olsen Brothers.[10] [11] Den store flugt has had extensive sales that are problematic to certify, but estimated to be 100,000 to 170,000 copies by music critic and journalist Torben Bille, in cooperation with Sebastian. Sebastian contacted Ina Løndahl around 1973, after having listened to her perform in a Danish rendition of the musical Godspell. EMI financed the record Menneske min ven by Ina, which was released on 14 September 1973. Sebastian collaborated as a songwriter, and had the melody for the title song in advance, which was left over from an earlier musical project.[12] Sebastian's next album Over havet under himlen was released in November 1973, quickly reached first place on Ekstra Bladet's record chart and has reached sales of around 50,000 copies. Blød lykke released in October 1974, and Gøgleren, Anton og de andre released in October 1975, respectively have estimated sales of 60,000 and 40,000 copies. The subsequent album Måske ku' vi (1976) from the film of the same name is estimated as 80,000 copies sold.[13] [14] Sebastian established himself as one of the most significant songwriters in Danish rock, with roots in his folk rock-inspired music.

Although, Sebastian's musical style was gradually expanded since the end of the 1970s, with refined use of a synthesizer (often played by Kenneth Knudsen)[15] among other things. Sebastian's lyrics were sometimes political in keeping with the spirit of the times, but with an eye to poetic artistry. In 1979, he recorded his own music to texts of Bertolt Brecht on the album Tiderne skifter, which was released in March 1979, got positive reviews and has sold approximately 100,000 copies.[16] [17] He recorded music to texts of Bertolt Brecht again in 1988 with the play named The Good Person of Szechwan (Danish: Det gode menneske fra Sezuan). During the 1970s and '80s, he had big hits, for example "Når lyset bryder frem" (1972), "Hvis du tror du er noget" (1972), "Du er ikke alene" (1978) from the film of the same name, and especially "Romeo" from the album Stjerne til støv, which was released in 1981.[18] [19] Stjerne til støv has estimated sales of 130,000 to 170,000 copies.[20] The next album 80'ernes boheme from 1983 continued the success, with 100,000 to 150,000 copies sold.[13] [21] [22] In 1987, he recorded the song "Vårvise" with Sissel Kyrkjebø.[23] [24] Sissel is also on his album named Et eventyr, which was released on 30 August 1989.[25]

In 2015, Sebastian said "Around 1986-1987, I start to lose my voice, and it disappears completely at some point. It was a mixture of damp basement, too many smokes and an unhealthy lifestyle".[26] Since that time in the 1980s, he has written multiple Danish musicals and songs for other singers, with great success.

In 2013, Jan Christian Mollestad produced a documentary film about Sebastian named Du er ikke alene – filmen om Sebastian.[27] [28] In 2015, he participated in Toppen af Poppen, and his popularity increased afterwards, especially with the younger audience.[29]

Awards

Sebastian received "Gramex-prisen" in 1979,[30] "DJBFA's hæderspris" in 1982,[31] "Wilhelm Hansen Fondens Hæderspris" in 1996,[32] and is granted subsidies from the Danish Arts Foundation.[33]

His album with songs for Astrid Lindgren's Ronia, the Robber's Daughter (Danish: Ronja Røverdatter) received a Danish grammy award in 1992, for best Danish children's release of the year. In 2004, Sebastian received "IFPIs Ærespris" at the Danish Music Awards.[34] In 2006, his album Stjerne til støv (1981) entered the Danish Culture Canon. He received "Pionerprisen" at Årets Steppeulv in 2008. In 2012, his album Øjeblikkets mester received the prize for Danish vox pop release of the year at the Danish Music Awards.

In 2019, he received "Polka Verner Legat", which was founded by Søs Egelind and Kirsten Lehfeldt in 2002, and is granted annually at Smukfest to a distinct Danish cultural person. With the prize, 190,000 Danish kroner were granted.[35]

Discography

Studio albums

Singles and EPs

Live/compilation albums

Collaboration

Notable collaboration with another singer arranged by release titles, release years and artists.

Cinema

Works by Sebastian appear in these films:

Television

Works by Sebastian appear in these television series:

References

  1. https://sebastianfan.dk/page128.html Official biography
  2. Book: Sebastian: Når lyset bryder frem. Bille, Torben. Lindhardt og Ringhof. 2009. 978-87-11-43358-4. 1st. da. 19.
  3. Book: Sebastian: Når lyset bryder frem. Bille, Torben. Lindhardt og Ringhof. 2009. 978-87-11-43358-4. 1st. da. 19.
  4. https://denstoredanske.lex.dk/Sebastian_-_sanger_og_komponist Sebastian
  5. Book: Sebastian: Når lyset bryder frem. Bille, Torben. Lindhardt og Ringhof. 2009. 978-87-11-43358-4. 1st. da. 39–40.
  6. Book: Sebastian: Når lyset bryder frem. Bille, Torben. Lindhardt og Ringhof. 2009. 978-87-11-43358-4. 1st. da. 294.
  7. Book: Politikens Dansk rock 1956-1997. Bille, Torben. Politikens Forlag. 1997. 87-567-5777-8. 1st. da. 397.
  8. Book: Dansk rockleksikon. Bille, Torben. Politikens Forlag. 2002. 87-567-6525-8. 1st. da. 448.
  9. Book: Sebastian: Når lyset bryder frem. Bille, Torben. Lindhardt og Ringhof. 2009. 978-87-11-43358-4. 1st. da. 79.
  10. https://www.musiker-boersen.dk/solister/broedrene-olsen-klassisk-legenderock-pop-brdr-olsen.html Brødrene Olsen
  11. https://www.discogs.com/master/508400-Olsen-Olsen Olsen by Olsen
  12. Book: Sebastian: Når lyset bryder frem. Bille, Torben. Lindhardt og Ringhof. 2009. 978-87-11-43358-4. 1st. da. 84–85.
  13. Book: Dansk rockleksikon. Bille, Torben. Politikens Forlag. 2002. 87-567-6525-8. 1st. da. 449.
  14. Book: Sebastian: Når lyset bryder frem. Bille, Torben. Lindhardt og Ringhof. 2009. 978-87-11-43358-4. 1st. da. 71 and 295.
  15. https://www.discogs.com/artist/315703-Kenneth-Knudsen Kenneth Knudsen
  16. Book: 70'er rock: Dansk rock 1970-1980. Nielsen, Jens-Emil. Her & Nu. 2013. 978-87-90184-93-3. 1st. da. 38.
  17. Book: Sebastian: Når lyset bryder frem. Bille, Torben. Lindhardt og Ringhof. 2009. 978-87-11-43358-4. 1st. da. 117 and 296.
  18. https://www.discogs.com/release/1777392-Sebastian-Romeo Romeo by Sebastian (single)
  19. https://www.discogs.com/master/290050-Sebastian-Stjerne-Til-St%C3%B8v Stjerne til støv by Sebastian
  20. Book: Sebastian: Når lyset bryder frem. Bille, Torben. Lindhardt og Ringhof. 2009. 978-87-11-43358-4. 1st. da. 139 and 296.
  21. Book: Sebastian: Når lyset bryder frem. Bille, Torben. Lindhardt og Ringhof. 2009. 978-87-11-43358-4. 1st. da. 151 and 296.
  22. https://web.archive.org/web/20100807022940/http://gaffa.dk/pedia/index.php/Sebastian Sebastian
  23. https://www.discogs.com/master/290052-Sebastian-P%C3%A5-Vulkaner På vulkaner by Sebastian
  24. https://www.discogs.com/release/2315128-Sissel-Kyrkjeb%C3%B8-Sebastian-V%C3%A5rvise-Summertime Vårvise / Summertime by Sissel & Sebastian
  25. Book: Sebastian: Når lyset bryder frem. Bille, Torben. Lindhardt og Ringhof. 2009. 978-87-11-43358-4. 1st. da. 194.
  26. https://tv.tv2.dk/2015-10-04-sebastian-mistede-stemmen-det-blev-et-psykisk-problem Sebastian mistede stemmen: Det blev et psykisk problem
  27. http://www.bt.dk/musik/filmen-om-sebastian-har-tv-premiere Filmen om Sebastian har tv-premiere
  28. https://gaffa.dk/nyheder/2016/august/du-er-ikke-alene-filmen-om-sebastian-genudsendes/ “Du Er Ikke Alene – filmen om Sebastian" genudsendes
  29. http://www.dr.dk/nyheder/kultur/musik/sebastian-toppen-af-poppen-har-givet-mig-et-yngre-publikum Sebastian: ’Toppen af Poppen’ har givet mig et yngre publikum
  30. https://gramex.dk/ Gramex
  31. https://www.autor.dk/medlem-i-fokus/sebastian/ Sebastian
  32. https://wilhelmhansenfonden.dk/haederspriser/ Wilhelm Hansen Fondens Hæderspris
  33. Book: Dansk rockleksikon. Bille, Torben. Politikens Forlag. 2002. 87-567-6525-8. 1st. da. 451.
  34. https://www.litteraturpriser.dk/aar/2004.htm Litteraturpriser sorteret efter år (2004)
  35. https://gaffa.dk/anmeldelse/138878/stemmen-er-slidt-sangene-holder/ Stemmen er slidt, sangene holder
  36. Web site: Sange til Drømmescenariet by Sebastian. . 8 September 2017 .
  37. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Lis+S%C3%B8rensen Sebastian > Credits > Lis Sørensen
  38. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Sanne+Salomonsen Sebastian > Credits > Sanne Salomonsen
  39. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Peter+Thorup Sebastian > Credits > Peter Thorup
  40. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Ina+L%C3%B8ndahl Sebastian > Credits > Ina Løndahl
  41. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Sissel+Kyrkjeb%C3%B8 Sebastian > Credits > Sissel Kyrkjebø
  42. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Michael+Falch Sebastian > Credits > Michael Falch
  43. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=S%C3%B8s+Fenger Sebastian > Credits > Søs Fenger
  44. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Anne+Linnet Sebastian > Credits > Anne Linnet
  45. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Lars+H.U.G. Sebastian > Credits > Lars H.U.G.
  46. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Marianne+Mortensen Sebastian > Credits > Marianne Mortensen
  47. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Susanne+Elmark Sebastian > Credits > Susanne Elmark
  48. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Flemming+%22Bamse%22+J%C3%B8rgensen Sebastian > Credits > Flemming Jørgensen
  49. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Steffen+Brandt Sebastian > Credits > Steffen Brandt
  50. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Lone+Kellermann Sebastian > Credits > Lone Kellermann
  51. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Rebecca+Br%C3%BCel Sebastian > Credits > Rebecca Brüel
  52. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Bl%C3%A5+%C3%98jne Sebastian > Credits > Blå Øjne
  53. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Majbritte+Ulrikkeholm Sebastian > Credits > Majbritte Ulrikkeholm
  54. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Michael+Bundesen Sebastian > Credits > Michael Bundesen
  55. https://www.discogs.com/artist/250428-Sebastian-5?superFilter=Credits&searchParam=Eddie+Skoller Sebastian > Credits > Eddie Skoller

External links

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