The Lollipops
The Lollipops | |
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| Origin | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1960–1971, 1973–1988, 1989, 2003 |
| Labels | |
| Past members |
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| Website | Archived website |
The Lollipops were a Danish pop and rock group formed in Copenhagen in 1960 by brothers Torben and Jørgen Lundgren alongside their uncle Poul Petersen.[1] Beginning as a child act, the group gained widespread popularity in Denmark and Sweden during the 1960s beat boom.[2] In 1965, they released Do You Know... The Lollipops, which became the first Danish rock album consisting entirely of original self-penned compositions.[2]
History
[edit]Formation and early success (1960–1964)
[edit]The group was formed in 1960 in Copenhagen by brothers Torben Lundgren (lead vocals, rhythm guitar; born 21 January 1950) and Jørgen Lundgren (lead vocals, lead guitar; born 15 April 1951), together with their uncle Poul Petersen (drums; born 30 October 1948).[1][3] At the time of formation, the members were aged ten, nine, and twelve respectively.[1] Before settling on the name The Lollipops, the trio performed briefly under the Danish names Trekløveret and Slikkepindene.[4]
In 1960, the group won a talent competition hosted by the Pingklubben children's organization, leading to a residency at the Københavnerkroen venue in Copenhagen.[4] Between 1961 and 1962, the trio toured Swedish folkparks and performed at United States military bases in Western Europe.[4]
In 1963, the band signed with the Swedish record label Karusell Records. Their debut single, "Lollipop Lips" / "Movin' the Shoes", was released in October 1963 and became a major commercial hit in Sweden, which became popular among teenagers in Scandinavia.[2][4] During this period, the group's musical style was influenced by The Beatles and other British beat music.[2]
Pioneer album and garage rock era (1965–1971)
[edit]In mid-1965, Karusell released the group's debut studio album, Do You Know... The Lollipops. The record is the first Danish rock album to consist entirely of original songs written by the band members.[2] Between 1965 and 1967, the band maintained an official fan club with its own published magazine, Lolli-Posten.[4]
In September 1966, original drummer Poul Petersen departed from the group and was replaced by Henrik Lund, formerly of Stoke Sect.[4] The band utilised various guest and session bassists for live performances and studio recordings, including Stig Kreutzfeldt.[4] Signing with Polydor Records in 1966, the band transitioned toward garage rock and psychedelic pop.[4] Their 1966 single "Naked When You Come" achieved significant critical and commercial success in Scandinavia.[4]
In 1967, the group released the single "Sussy Moore". The track has melodic and textual inspiration from Tim Hardin's "The Lady Came from Baltimore", resulting in copyright infringement litigation against the group.[4]
By 1971, after declining commercial success, the group disbanded as the members sought formal education: Torben enrolled in business school, Jørgen attended the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and Henrik Lund trained as a decorator.[4]
Dansktop era, 1974 self-titled album, and Grand Prix (1973–1988)
[edit]In March 1973, The Lollipops reformed to perform in the Cirkusrevyen summer revue.[4] This reunion marked a transition toward Danish-language pop music and the Dansktop genre.[2] Throughout the 1970s, the band scored several popular Danish-language hits, including "Lorna", "Ung Kærlighed", and "Jenny".[4]
In 1974, the group released a self-titled studio album through EMI. Among its tracks was the English-language song "I Know", which decades later became the subject of an online search within the lostwave music community before being identified by researchers in 2026.
Henrik Lund left the group in 1977, after which the Lundgren brothers continued performing with temporary backing musicians.[4] During the 1980s, the band entered Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, on three occasions: in 1980 ("Nu er det morgen"), 1984 ("60'erne"), and 1987 ("Helt normal").[4] Concurrently, the brothers engaged in external careers; Torben operated clothing stores in Valby, while Jørgen worked as a visual artist and gallery owner.[4][3]
Later years and disbandment (1989–2004)
[edit]In 1989, the Lundgren brothers attempted a comeback under the name The New Lollipops, forming a line-up with guitarist Kim Gutman, drummer Søren Berlev (formerly of Gasolin'), bassist Chris Paulsen, and guitarist Birdie Hurns.[4] The project released one English-language album, Suzanna, before disbanding.[4]
The original Lundgren brothers gave their final official farewell performance at Tivoli Gardens on 17 September 2003.[5] On 13 March 2004, Jørgen Lundgren died from kidney disease at the age of 52.[5] Following his brother's death, Torben Lundgren retired from business in Denmark and relocated to Hungary.[5]
Members
[edit]Core members
[edit]- Torben Lundgren – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1960–1971, 1973–1988, 1989, 2003)
- Jørgen Lundgren – lead vocals, lead guitar (1960–1971, 1973–1988, 1989, 2003; died 2004)
- Poul Petersen – drums (1960–1966; died 2002)
- Henrik Lund – drums (1966–1971, 1973–1977)
Former touring and comeback members
[edit]- Stig Kreutzfeldt – bass (1966–1971)
- Kim Gutman – lead guitar (1989)
- Søren Berlev – drums (1989)
- Chris Paulsen – bass (1989)
- Birdie Hurns – guitar (1989)
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Year | Release Details | Tracklist | Personnel & Label Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Do You Know... The Lollipops
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| 1965 | The Lollipops
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| 1966 | The Lollipops
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| 1974 | Lollipops
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| 1989 | Suzanna (Released as The New Lollipops)
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Compilations
[edit]- Pop Før (1974, Philips)
- Lollipops Bedste (1976, Philips)
- Naked When You Come (1998, Polydor)
- The Complete Recordings 1963–67 (2001)
- Dansk Pigtråd Vol. 4: The Complete 1963 – 31.8.1966 (2003, Karusell)
- Dansk Pigtråd Vol. 5: The Complete 1.9.1966 – 1971 (2003, Universal)
Singles & EPs
[edit]| Year | Title & Release Details | Tracks (Side A / Side B) | Country & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | "Lollipop Lips" / "Movin' the Shoes"
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Sweden / Denmark. Released in Japan (1964) via Polydor. |
| 1963 | "Lollipop Lips" (EP)
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Sweden. First press on blue vinyl. |
| 1963 | "Lollipops Boogie" (EP)
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Sweden. First press on blue vinyl. |
| 1964 | "Do You Know (How Much I Love You)" / "There Was a Time"
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Scandinavia-wide release (Sweden, Denmark, Finland). |
| 1964 | "Lollipops Shake" / "Look at This Boy"
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Denmark / Sweden / Finland. |
| 1965 | "Little Bad Boy" / "Don't Matter What You Do"
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Denmark / Sweden. |
| 1965 | "I'll Stay By Your Side" / "That's All"
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Denmark / Sweden. |
| 1965 | "Oh, Girl" / "Are You Lonesome Just Like Me"
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Sweden. |
| 1965 | "I See It Now" / "Oh Girl"
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Sweden. |
| 1966 | "Words Ain't Enough" / "Who Cares About Me"
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Sweden / Finland / Germany. Released in the US via Vault Records. |
| 1966 | "Why Fly The Birds" (EP)
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Denmark. |
| 1966 | "Naked When You Come" / "Little Cat Lost"
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Major Scandinavian hit. |
| 1966 | "Bildjournalen GoGo Skiva 66"
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Sweden. |
| 1967 | "I Can't Live Without Your Lovin'" / "Swing and Sway"
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Sweden. |
| 1967 | "Another Girl" / "You Don't Have to Go"
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Sweden. |
| 1967 | "Lies" / "Stop (Before You Break My Heart)"
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Sweden. |
| 1967 | "Sussy Moore" / "Love Is a Game for Two"
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Subject of copyright litigation. |
| 1968 | "I Feel the Sun Up There" / "Love Me, Love Me"
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First single on CBS. |
| 1968 | "Ha Ha Ha - Hee Hee Hee" / "Marry Her Tonight"
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Denmark. |
| 1968 | "Sådan een som dig" / "Nu er det glemt"
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First Danish-language single attempt. |
| 1968 | "A Freight Train to Boston" / "Your Eyes Are Shining"
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Denmark / Sweden. |
| 1969 | "Good Times Baby" / "On My Way"
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Denmark / Netherlands. |
| 1969 | "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" / "Sussy Help Me"
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The Beatles cover single. Released in Denmark, Netherlands, Norway. |
| 1970 | "Goody Goody Gum Drops" / "Laila"
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Denmark. |
| 1971 | "Ra-ta-ta-ta" / "I'm a Workslave"
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Final single before the first breakup. |
| 1973 | "Walk Away" / "T.J.R."
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Comeback single. |
| 1973 | "Living in a World of Sorrow" / "How Can I Live (Without You)"
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Denmark. |
| 1974 | "What a Day - What a Night" / "Lorna"
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Denmark / Netherlands / Germany. Hit single. |
| 1974 | "All I Have" / "Rock Around"
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Denmark. |
| 1974 | "Livet er lunefuldt" / "Da-Di-Dam"
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Denmark. |
| 1975 | "Lorna" / "Goodbye My Baby"
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Denmark. |
| 1975 | "Lonely Love" / "Bella Mia"
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Released in the UK as a promo/commercial single. |
| 1975 | "Ung kærlighed" / "Kristina"
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Dansktop chart hit. |
| 1975 | "Jenny" / "Feelings"
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Denmark. |
| 1975 | "Why" / "If You Leave Me"
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Denmark. |
| 1976 | "Piger" / "Speedy Gonzales"
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Denmark. |
| 1976 | "Tårerne der faldt" / "Trumpet - Dansen"
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Denmark. |
| 1976 | "Louisiana" / "I Believe"
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Denmark. |
| 1976 | "Love Is the Best Thing in Your Life" / "Saturday Rock"
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Denmark. |
| 1977 | "Lady Godiva" / "I'm Crying"
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Denmark. |
| 1979 | "Go'e Gamle Sange" / "The Happy Days" (Promo)
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Denmark. |
| 1980 | "Nu er det morgen" / "Syng en sang om evig fred"
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Released under the name Lollipops-Lips for the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix. |
| 1982 | "Se på mit fjæs" / "Hjemad"
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Denmark. |
| 1984 | "60'erne" / "Rock Og Rul"
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Dansk Melodi Grand Prix entry. |
| 1989 | "Suzanna" / "Love Tonight"
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Released as The New Lollipops. Final single. |
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Lykke, Allan (31 July 2016). "Sidste gang med slikkepindene". Ekstra Bladet (in Danish). Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Berthelsen, Carsten. "The Lollipops". Den Store Danske / Lex.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- 1 2 "Jørgen Lundgren Profile". Dansk Film Database (in Danish). Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "Lollipops Biography". DK-Rock (in Danish). Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 Eriksen, Jan (16 March 2004). "En poppioner er død". B.T. (in Danish). Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
External links
[edit]- The Lollipops discography at Discogs
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| Artists | |
