Øystein Sunde

Øystein Olaf Sunde (born 24 January 1947, in Oslo) is a Norwegian folk singer and guitarist. He is known for his high-speed guitar and banjo style and his satirical lyrics. Although often regarded as a comedian, Sunde is a versatile jazz guitarist who has played with several Dixieland bands and jazz combos over the years.

He was born 24 January 1947 in Oslo, but his family moved to Skarnes in 1954 where Sunde went to school. In 1955, the family moved back to Lambertseter in Oslo and Sunde continued school there. The same year he started playing piano, but he did not like this because he was forced to rehearse scales and partially because his teacher could play boogiewoogie and Sunde was not allowed to do so by his teacher. Despite protests from his parents he ended his piano playing career at the age of 7.

The next instrument Sunde played was a recorder but he started to cry after one hour, so he got a big grapefruit to comfort him, but after eating it he started to cry again. It was at this point his mother realized that he was not fit for playing this kind of instrument and later he started to play a B-Cornet. Even though Sunde did not quite find this instrument comfortable he played it for a few years mainly because he had failed so many times earlier.

When Sunde attended 6th grade his woodwork teacher made him make a mandolinlaika without any drawings. When finished, the instrument was too big but sounded magnificent. This was what caused Sunde to find music fun mainly because he was not forced to practice this instrument. Later Sunde bought a used guitar, and the mandolin was never used again.

In 1960 Sunde heard the song "Apache" played by The Shadows and he was "hooked". Later, at his confirmation, he got his first electric guitar. He dreamed of a Fender but it would take Sunde 11 years to get one. He also met one of his 'heroes' Chet Atkins in late 1971 who taught him some valuable lessons for 45 minutes.

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