Jimmy Higgins
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- Joined
- Jan 31, 2001
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OSLO, NORWAY - Back in 1985, a band consisting of a trio of musicians made their first big break in America with a top single hit, "Take on Me". They would release a few more albums with decent success and separated after 1998 after having success as a band.
However, success in the music industry doesn't mean success in Norway. The band hit hard times, trying to get by on their royalties and touring earnings. But the massive taxation in Norway to deal with their failing pickled herring economy took away most of the money they had earned selling records. In merely two years, Morten Harket was reduced to having to sing six octaves ranges on street corners for money and Magne Furuholmen was selling plasma just to pay his rent.
Desperate to make ends meet again, the band collaborated on another set of albums, some critically reviewed as their best work, to acquire enough wealth to live for the next few years. Despite their second wave of success, the band still only managed a couple years after their "final tour" before needing to join up again to release a new album and a perform a live acoustic set for MTV.
With the never ending economic set backs, the band has decided they will be filing paperwork with the US Government to become American Citizens.
"It isn't easy," noted Morten Harket. "We love our beloved Norway, but it is just too hard to make a living. Even being successful pop/rock musician doesn't mean a stable enough income. This is why you don't see many bands from Norway."
However, success in the music industry doesn't mean success in Norway. The band hit hard times, trying to get by on their royalties and touring earnings. But the massive taxation in Norway to deal with their failing pickled herring economy took away most of the money they had earned selling records. In merely two years, Morten Harket was reduced to having to sing six octaves ranges on street corners for money and Magne Furuholmen was selling plasma just to pay his rent.
Desperate to make ends meet again, the band collaborated on another set of albums, some critically reviewed as their best work, to acquire enough wealth to live for the next few years. Despite their second wave of success, the band still only managed a couple years after their "final tour" before needing to join up again to release a new album and a perform a live acoustic set for MTV.
With the never ending economic set backs, the band has decided they will be filing paperwork with the US Government to become American Citizens.
"It isn't easy," noted Morten Harket. "We love our beloved Norway, but it is just too hard to make a living. Even being successful pop/rock musician doesn't mean a stable enough income. This is why you don't see many bands from Norway."
